Due to recent reports of fraudulent immigration websites, Philippine Airlines (PAL) urged the public to be cautious when using online travel registration platforms that ask for payment.
The airline advised passengers to refer to the official immigration website of their destination or departure country for accurate and up-to-date information, not provide personal or payment information on unverified sites, and report any suspicious websites to the appropriate government authorities.
PAL management said that official government websites do not charge any fee for departure-related requirements, such as travel registrations or exit clearances.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) reported that the number of travel-related online scams has increased by 16 times in two years. In 2023 alone, 842 victims were reported as travel-related online scams resulted in a loss of at least P13.2 million.
The PNP classifies travel scams into two categories: “fakebooking,” where scammers steal travelers’ personal information, and those who lost their money to scammers or illegitimate online travel agents.
The government urged air travelers should conduct due diligence, read reviews, and hold off on sending payment, personal information, or identity documents until they are certain that the platform, seller, or agency is genuine.
They are also advised to avoid offers that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams if the prices are much lower than the listed rates.
