Tour Scam?
 

Has anyone had bad experience with company named Portugal Trials?
I am about 6 weeks from flying out to Lisbon, Portugal and have been communicating via e-mail with a rep. from the company. They want 100% payment, either PayPal or direct wire but do not accept any credit cards as they state more secure that way.
They have a Facebook page (for what that's worth) and of course their own web site.
You just hear so much about scams these days so trying to research if they are legit or not.

Portugal Trials or Porrtugal Trails?

You're buying an itinerary. What are you looking for?

http://www.portugaltrails.com/en/aboutUs.php?s=2

Do you think it is fair to unfoundedly accuse in public a company you don't know, one that you have never done business with, of scamming?
If I was them I would not want to do business with you. (And no, I am not related to them in any way.)

I've booked guides on a few occasions with 100% payment in advance through Paypal. This is not unusual.

I don't think the OP is trying to be unfair to this travel company. He's merely trying to find out if anyone has used them previously and that his money won't go missing.

They seem to have good reviews on Trip Advisor and also seem to been around for at least 6 years or more.They do advertise that they take Amex and Visa on their website, so not sure what the refusal to take CC's is about. Are they just trying to move you towards a non CC route so that they don't pay the CC company's charge?

I have a natural aversion to direct money transfer companies, as they are open to fraud and so often scam linked, but I'd guess Paypal should be OK and you can use your CC to fund the Paypal payment.

I know nothing about the company and am not doing any research about them, but if you do not feel confident, then it is good to research them for yourself.
Have your already booked with the company?
If so, how did you make your first payment?
Did you do research before booking with them?
How did you decided to go with them?
If you have not paid, then you still have options of not going with them.

I think it's an excellent idea to use social media and travel forums to ask about possible scams in the travel industry. Makes a lot more sense to me than people asking "Should I go to Lisbon or Porto?"

I also think it is doing good research to look for people with previous direct experience of this company and exchange questions and answers with other people about how best to learn more.

"They want 100% payment, either PayPal or direct wire but do not accept any credit cards as they state more secure that way."

The need to make a full payment a few weeks before the tour starts is a typical tour company requirement and hence not an unsual request. Paying by PayPal is a sensible tour company procedure as it is far more secure than emailing your credit card details.