FRAUD ON AN ONLINE HOLIDAY PLATFORM - 15 COMPLAINS IN THREE DAYS - Filenews 19/4
There are 15 complaints regarding incidents of online fraud related to a popular accommodation booking platform, according to the Consumer Association.
As stated by the Association's Legal Officer, Virginia Christou, "in the last three to four days alone, about 15 complaints have been recorded".
He explained that the scammers appear to be sending messages, which appear to come from the platform, using the platform's logo and email address and consumer details, such as booking information and their contact details.
He noted that in these messages the payment of an amount, about €100, is requested, supposedly to confirm the reservation. As he said, "in several cases, consumers proceeded with the process" as a result of which they were charged a significant percentage of the total cost of accommodation.
He clarified that this amount does not end up on the website, so it is not recognized as payment for the reservation of the accommodation.
The Consumers' Association calls on the public to exercise increased caution, underlining that "large platforms do not ask for additional payments via email or proceed with sudden changes to their procedures".
At the same time, the representative of the Consumers' Association added that the first complaints have already begun to be submitted about holiday packages that were either not executed at all, or were partially implemented.
In such cases, "what we do as an association is where a violation is detected, we call on them to claim their rights for their compensation".
He underlined that consumers have the right to claim compensation, especially when part of the travel program, such as scheduled excursions, did not take place, despite the fact that the trip was carried out and paid for normally.
