Anchorage, Alaska (KTUU) – Because the vacationer season begins in Alaska, one of the best enterprise workplace warns vacationers who keep attentive to fraudulent excursions firms.
Cameron Nakashima with the BBB Nationwide Workplace in Idaho stated that scams inside the tourism trade are a much bigger drawback that BBB sees yearly, particularly in Alaska.
At first look, Nakashima stated that many of those firms will appear to have good opinions, however to a extra detailed examination, he’ll start to see a adverse sample.
“When individuals plan these large holidays, because the climate is enhancing, it’s actually essential to be on guard and make a double shot, a triple model of the individuals and corporations by which they belief their cash, their private info, their itinerary and ensure they’re authentic,” he stated.
Two Alaska firms just lately investigated by BBB are Anchorage Downtown Tourgroup and Ketchikan Tax Tab Excursions.
Based on on-line opinions, in addition to the BBB web site, individuals allege that they pay these tourism firms about $ 100 per particular person, roughly $ 300- $ 500 per household/group, however then the businesses cancel within the final minute or in some circumstances, they didn’t seem in any respect, with out reimbursement or clarification.
Based on the Alaska Commerce Division, Group and Financial Improvement, the business registration of Anchorage Downtown Group has been expired since December 31, 2023.
Nonetheless, in accordance with TripAdvisor and the BBB web site, adverse opinions have continued to be printed for 2024.
Alaska’s information supply tried to name the quantity related to Anchorage Downtown Tourgroup, in addition to the enterprise that seems as proprietor, Eye of the Eagle, LLC, however each numbers at the moment are listed for various organizations.
As of April 2025, the web site gave the impression to be lacking.
It’s a related state of affairs for Ketchikan’s taxis excursions. The information present that the Firm Industrial Registry expired on December 31, 2024. Nonetheless, on-line they’re listed as open for enterprise.
The BBB web site reveals two most up-to-date complaints offered in September and November 2024, claiming that prospects paid deposits, however the firm by no means offered to supply tour companies.
Alaska’s information supply left voice messages with the corporate’s quoted quantity and tried to speak with the corporate’s proprietor within the registry, Timothy White, however the itemizing quantity was disconnected.
Nakashima at all times suggests seeing the newest opinions and at all times cross references between a number of websites, such because the BBB web site, in addition to state journey and accredited metropolis companies.
Concerning the steps that prospects can take in the event that they imagine they’ve been victims of a rip-off, Nakashima stated that it’s at all times higher to file a grievance by the BBB rip-off tracker, in addition to make stories to the workplace of the State Legal professional Common and the Native Police if the alleged rip-off demonstrates the felony intention.
“Not solely does it get its story from a single supply,” stated Nakashima. “Go to a number of [sources] Simply to ensure you get the entire picture there and know that you would be able to belief this particular person or this firm along with your cash. ”
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