As 2023 is coming to an end, many people start planning for short winter vacations in December. If you’re also considering a getaway, we have something important to tell you. Online hotel fraud is now a growing concern, with scammers taking advantage of travelers’ excitement to deceive them.
In fact, a recent report revealed that over 100 tourists have lost their money due to online hotel fraud while booking accommodations in Puri through fake websites. Online scammers typically set up fake websites in names of several Puri hotels and lure victims with tempting discounts on vacation packages as part of their strategy.
As per the Crime Branch, a fake website by the name of hotelspuri.net, displaying 304 hotels as options for booking has been identified. The location of the website has been reported to be outside of the state of Odisha. The officials have already launched an investigation on the case.
Scammers use attractive pricing to lure victims into their traps. They will try to pressure you into booking a room immediately by claiming that the deal is about to expire or that there are only a limited number of rooms available.
How to Protect Yourself From Online Hotel Fraud
– For hotel bookings, yo can book from well-known platforms like TripAdvisor, Agoda, Booking.com or MakeMyTrip for hotel reservations.
– These platforms have partnerships with hotels and verified listings.
– You can also book your hotel room directly through the hotel’s official website or by calling the hotel directly.
– Check the hotel’s official website and read reviews from trusted sources.
– Look for contact information and verify if the hotel is legit.
– If you can’t find substantial information about the hotel, do not book.
– Avoid clicking on links or attachments in unsolicited emails about hotel deals.
– Only enter your payment information on secure websites.
– Use a strong password for your booking platform account.
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