31/01/2023
PAALALA SA MGA TURISTA NA DADAGSA SA ARAW NG PANAGBENGA
READ|| Scammers are taking advantage to tourist/students who are booking online for accommodation here in Baguio City.
Here are some warnings how to avoid being a victim:
1️⃣TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE TRAVEL PACKAGES: all-in packages (inclusion of transport, accommodation, food, tours, and tickets) that are unrealistically cheap may not be actually real! PSA had estimated that a regular domestic tourist in Baguio spends an average of P2,700.00 per day. So let that be your reference.
2️⃣ NO BUSINESS PERMIT AND NO OFFICIAL RECEIPT: this should be basic, always ask for copies of business permits and receipts that can be verifiable; the person you are talking with must be associated with the declared legal business, not just any random person declaring to be a representative without proof.
3️⃣ NO OFFICIAL PUBLIC WEBSITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE: legit businesses will promote their services on public and well-recognized online platforms, usually with customer reviews and ratings; so do your research, google if you should.
4️⃣ THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT IS JUST RECENTLY CREATED: not necessarily all new websites or accounts are illegal, but scammers have the propensity for deleting old accounts and then will create new accounts, using different names every time; so be very scrutinizing.
5️⃣ OFFERING PROCESSING OF PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS: please know that you alone can register for QTP, perhaps with assistance by legit agents, but not totally without your actual participation; and worst, scammers will offer ready-made IDs, COVID test results, QTPs or any QR codes, and other documents that you should be processing yourself. If done by others, they may be FAKE.
6️⃣ OFFERING SERVICES THAT ARE ACTUALLY NON-COMPLIANT WITH ENTRY PROTOCOLS: if they tell you that you don't need to register or undergo triage, or will pick you up somewhere near the border to provide an escape route, or offer an illegal accommodation, then you are actually being SCAMMED!
7️⃣ SHOWING IDs THAT ARE NOT GOVERNMENT-ISSUED: many IDs can just be fabricated and therefore may be fake, better ask for government-issued IDs since they are more verifiable.
8️⃣ DECLARED ADDRESS IS NON-EXISTENT: scammers will show you fake photos of accommodations in a non-existing address. Be very vigilant, always verify by googling or by asking those who know the place.
Source: RACU Cordillera