Planning a dream getaway to Mexico is exciting, but there is a rising tide of fake vacation booking scams. To ensure you don’t fall victim, here are the top four ways to spot a fake Mexican vacation booking scam and what to do instead.
- Unrealistically Low Prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers lure potential victims with attractive prices and friendly customer service, only to disappear and reappear under a different name once they’ve scammed enough people.
What to do Instead: Research the average prices for accommodations, flights, and packages. Be skeptical if the offer seems significantly cheaper than average prices. Book with US travel agencies, via known travel booking websites, or directly with the hotel.
- Lack of Detailed Company Information. Scammers use realistic and convincing reservation and company websites, but these fake websites may lack essential details, such as a physical address, customer service contact information, legal notices and clear terms and conditions. If the website or email correspondence doesn’t have a full company legal name and/or tax ID (RFC in Mexico), walk away.
What to do Instead: Do an online search for the company name AND address and see if there have been reported scams using that address. A few reported scams are companies listed as “Beach Resorts International” or “Resort Billing International” “Caribbeanview.net” “Vacation Rewards International”. Before making reservations, thoroughly read the terms and conditions, including refunds and cancellation clauses. Pay with a credit card that will protect you in the event there is a problem.
- Unsolicited Emails or Calls. Be wary of unsolicited emails or calls claiming you’ve won a free trip or offering “limited time” exclusive discounts. Scammers often use phishing techniques to trick individuals into providing personal information or making payments for non-existent bookings.
What to do Instead. Never click on suspicious links or share personal information. If you receive an unsolicited offer, independently verify the legitimacy of the promotion by contacting the supposed provider directly through their official website or phone number. If you feel pressured or harassed, walk away.
Safeguarding against fake Mexican vacation booking scams requires a combination of skepticism, thorough research, and cautious decision-making. It’s better to be safe than sorry when planning your dream getaway. Check, check and check again!
If you believed you may have gotten scammed and want to check the validality of a Mexican entity, please contact us today!