(from American Society of Travel Agents):

• Never give out credit card numbers unless you create the initial contact and have confidence in the supplier.
• Never disclose your income over the phone.
• Don’t do business with companies that won’t send you written information about your trip.
• Always purchase your travel with a credit card, which gives you 60 days to get your money back if the trip isn’t provided.
• If you insist on calling a 900 number, understand phone charges and the risks you’re taking.
• If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

These tips are also to be followed whenever you use the Internet for making travel arrangements, reservations, bookings and payments.