Junior Sarah Byron is looking forward to a Spring Break of carefree camping on the sandy beaches of Miami.
However, scams, theft and the safety concerns that go hand in hand with vacation traveling could put a damper on Byron's, or any other student's, Spring Break plans.
Sergeant Rod Russell, an Indiana State Patrol public information officer, said he would be most concerned about identity theft when traveling for Spring Break.
"I had not thought about identity theft," Byron said. "We've just thought about keeping the gas tank full and stuff like that."
Identity thieves can intercept credit card information at gas stations, Russell said. When travelers swipe their cards at the pump, thieves can use equipment to intercept the information as it is transferred into the gas station by radio waves.
Byron said she had never heard of this scam before.
"We're going to be using a gas card so that will cut down on that risk," she said.
Students should also be careful when stopping in rest stops when driving long distances, Russell said.
"You shouldn't stop and sleep in rest stops," he said. "That's a safety issue."
If a student takes a nap at a rest stop, he becomes vulnerable to car break-ins and other bodily harm, especially if he is traveling alone.
When students get to where they are staying, they should never let hotels copy their driver's license or any other personal information.
"Don't let your credit card out of your sight," Russell said.
He also said to never sign anything without reading it completely first.
"The problem is that businesses and people who prey on 'Spring Breakers' know that most people aren't going to read it because they want to be hitting the beach," Russell said.
Junior Allyson Vallone will spend her Spring Break in South Padre, Texas.
Vallone and her friends are most concerned about staying together and using a of buddy system so no one gets left alone, she said.
"Make sure that you stay in a safe place," Vallone said. "We're paying more, but it's safer."
Russell said students need to be wary of free vacation offers too because they could be a scam.
"Nothing is free," he said. "There is always a price to pay somewhere."
Students could be approached by scammers on the beach who try to get them to sign up or pay in advance for a trip.
"I always urge people if they're going on tourist attractions to buy tickets directly," Russell said.
Byron said she went on Spring Break to Panama City, Fla., her freshman year and encountered a lot of people trying to sell her items on the beach, such as a Booze Cruise. In this type of scam, she said, the scammers get students to pay money and then when they show up, there is no cruise.
"Half the time it's a scam or they just want money from you," she said.
While students are on the beach, Russell said, they should make sure to not leave personal belongings unattended.
Byron plans to keep everything locked in the trunk of the car. Even if the car is locked, keeping a purse out of sight in the trunk is the safest bet, she said.
"I would just say be careful, and if you are going down to the beach, don't take your wallet," Byron said.
Russell said students have a tendency to put a wad of cash in their pocket and not keep track of it. He said that is a good way to get money stolen or lost.
"You're out of you protective zone and unfortunately a lot of people put their guard down, and when you do that, you become a victim," Russell said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
