By Brian Campued
As Filipinos are expected to travel back to their home provinces or take a vacation during the Holy Week and long weekend, authorities warned the public against various travel scams targeting those who are looking for cheaper options.
One such example of travel-related scams taking advantage of the season is fraudulent websites that charge fees for the government’s electronic declaration system (eTravel).
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado underscored the importance of vigilance against these fake websites as registration in the eTravel platform is completely free of charge.
“These are clear cases of fraud. The public should not fall victim to these schemes, especially during the holiday rush,” Viado said in a news release Wednesday.
Travelers are advised to register through the official government website at etravel.gov.ph or accomplish their eTravel registration through the eGovPH super app.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity campaigner Scam Watch Pilipinas urged the public to familiarize themselves with the most common travel scams, including fake accommodations, fake Wi-Fi hotspots, “too-good-to-be-true” travel deals, and cheap airline tickets sold by fake agents.
“These scams are designed to create urgency and lower your guard. If you’re being rushed to pay or the price is far below market, that’s already a red flag,” Scam Watch Pilipinas co-founder Jocel de Guzman said in a statement posted March 30.
De Guzman reminded travelers to book using official travel apps or platforms, check real reviews, or verify directly with airlines or hotels when transacting.
The public is also urged to avoid clicking random links and messages as well as connecting to suspicious Wi-Fi hotspots, as these may be used by cybercriminals to steal personal and banking information from users.
Travelers who encounter such fraudulent activities are encouraged to report them to the national anti-scam hotline 1326 or through the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
-jpv
