How to avoid falling for scams with fake farm rental ads at Easter

In this Easter week, hotel and tourist occupancy is expected between 47% and 54%, according to figures from the Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association (Cotelco). For this reason, alleged travel agencies that offer luxury farms through social networks, ask for money in advance and flee you to show certificates or send evidence that your paperwork is in order, is one of the types of tourist theft.

In addition, according to the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), from January 1, 2018 to February 2022, 1,148 complaints were received for cases involving travel agencies. So far this year there are 20 similar cases.

Likewise, he added that when he looked more carefully at the photos of the farm that had been sent to him, they belonged to another property, but in another destination, Melgar. “Be alert to scams and fake profiles, because amid the need of families to go out and breathe and rest they are taking advantage, as happened to me.”

Another type of modality is that, they offer one thing and then the conditions change, “I paid for a farm in Villavicencio that promised pool service, football field, barbecue, among other services. I made the mistake of paying 70% in advance, and then they called me, told me that the pool was sunk and that we couldn't make noise because there was a group of sick elderly people on the same farm. Obviously, we asked for the refund of the money, but it was a problem to settle this procedure. These people play to wear you down so that you stop claiming and that is what you should never do,” explained another victim, César.

In 2022, SIC imposed 187 administrative sanctions on the companies and individuals involved, with fines amounting to $3,560′346,934. Therefore, the entity prepares educational actions for agencies and hotels, with the aim of preventing such cases.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam in the rental of rest places, the National Police Intelligence and Cyber Analysis Directorate launched an alert in the country. Depending on the institution, offering the lease of properties or apartments through internet advertising is one of the most common forms of fraud.

When consumers show a breach of the services offered by tourism service providers, or when they are not aware of any rights as consumers. They may submit their administrative complaints for the protection of the general interest through the institutional channels www.sic.gov.co or by email: contactenos@sic.gov.co

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