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Officials in Cancun and Mexico’s Caribbean have warned travelers about an increase in online travel agency fraud cases. With the busiest time of the year approaching, authorities are urging residents and visitors to beware of overly lucrative online deals that are often fraudulent.
Authorities step up efforts to thwart online fraud, but the problem remains prevalent, with scammers adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to make quick profits at the expense of travelers. I’m doing it. This week, authorities released new warnings urging travelers to double-check before booking through online travel agents, and in a final push, lowered the level of fraud to beware of.
The Association of Mexican Travel Agents (AMAV) is the latest organization to warn tourists about the risks of online travel agencies. According to business groups, December saw the highest number of online scams, matching record-breaking arrivals. As Mexico’s Caribbean has skyrocketed in popularity, so has the number of complaints filed with authorities struggling to address the issue.
Online travel fraud remains a persistent problem around Mexico, but the problem is particularly acute in the state of Quintana Roo in the Mexican Caribbean, home to some of the country’s most popular resort destinations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
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According to AMAV spokesperson Eduardo Paniagua Morales, Mexico detects up to 450 potential frauds per day, with a significant amount occurring in Mexico’s Caribbean Sea. Officials also added that online crime surged significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, as most physical-based travel agencies moved online. He added that the number of online scams has increased by up to 50% compared to before the pandemic.
Do this to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud
Officials say most cases of online travel agency scams occur through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, but they can also occur on legitimate-looking websites. Luckily, there are steps you can take to avoid falling victim to online scams.
Price is one of the main indicators of a legitimate travel agency. Online vacation packages that offer a lot for a very low price are more likely to be scams. Some examples may include packages that offer several nights’ accommodation at a five-star resort for just a few hundred dollars, along with various exclusive activities and excursions.
In addition, legitimate travel agents always use secure payment methods. Finally, travelers are advised to double-check that their travel agent is on the national register of travel agents.
Local and state officials are now working to address the issue and plan to propose new laws to increase fines and prison sentences for convicted online offenders. Despite allocating more resources to combat online crime, police say online criminals use sophisticated methods to hide their tracks.
Travelers are also encouraged to report suspected cases of online fraud to local authorities through the Guest Assist service in Quintana Roo, which allows travelers to report crimes anonymously.
In addition to the rise of online travel agency scams, tourists heading to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean should also be careful when booking online vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb. Online platforms have recently provided travelers with tips on how to book safely. Travelers can find a record number of online vacation rentals across Mexico’s Caribbean. These definitely offer advantages such as flexibility and low cost.
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