Q: We keep getting phone calls, some of them recorded, about very economical vacation packages to Florida, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico, the Bahamas and other places. Some actually begin with: Congratulations, you may have already won a trip to....

The low prices and freebees sound just too good to be true. Should we buy one of those packages or at least follow up, call the 800 numbers and get more info? ARMcN, Omaha NE

A: In a word or two: HELL, NO! In our experience, we’ve never found any unsolicited telemarketing travel offers, no matter how exciting, cheap or absolutely free they seemed, that were honest. Not only should you ignore such calls, but NEVER call back and give personal info, especially credit card and other financial ID info. That could put you on an international sucker list that will bring on many more calls offering sugar-coated deals for travel, as well as other rip-off schemes. To get current, honest travel info, contact AARP, RoadScholar, Travelocity, Expedia and your friendly neighborhood travel agency. Also, sometimes it’s more secure, convenient and cheaper to make reservations directly with airlines and hotels.