‘Fake site’ warning to those making holiday plans! Coming via email or text message: Don’t click and fall into the trap
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As the holiday season approaches, consumers encounter intense advertising and promotional activities carried out by organizations operating in the tourism sector.
It seems that consumers are victimized by copying the photos and names of the websites of hotels and tourism facilities, which are frequently preferred by consumers, and making attractive offers via e-mails and text messages. For this reason, it is important for consumers who will make a holiday reservation to pay attention to some issues in order to avoid inconvenience.
Aziz Koçal, Chairman of the Consumers Confederation (TÜKON), made his assessment on the issue.
Stating that fraudsters who want to gain unfair profits from consumers’ discounted holiday expectations use many methods, he said: “One should be careful against fake links sent via e-mail or text messages with the title ‘holiday opportunity’. Consumers will be victimized through these links this year, as in previous years.” “If you pay by credit card this way, your credit card information may also fall into the hands of fraudsters.” he warned.
Koçal recommended doing the necessary research on the facility to be booked.
“It is important to inquire whether the tourism facility is certified, the number of stars of the hotel, whether it is registered with public institutions and organizations, and the complaints made about the hotel, if any. These inquiries can be made under ‘www.tursab.org.tr’ or ‘www.kulturturizm.gov.tr’. It can be done from their addresses.” said.
Koçal pointed out that making contracts in early reservations and requesting a copy of the contracts is important in preventing grievances.
, said that if the contracts are made over the internet, a copy can be requested by e-mail. Koçal also suggested that the address, title and contact information on the websites of the travel agency or tourism facility be checked through the Electronic Commerce Information System.
“May request a discount from the paid price”
“May request a discount from the paid price”
Koçal stated that for reservations made face to face or online, preliminary information and a brochure regarding the services to be received must be received, and stated that the consumer has the right to request a discount if any of the services promised in the contracts are not provided.
Koçal stated that citizens who have problems in this process can apply to consumer arbitration committees and said, “The consumer can request a discount from the price paid if the accommodation is in a ‘four-star’ hotel even though the hotel information is written as ‘five-star’ in all documents or if the number of stars appears to be missing.” said.
Pointing out that consumers have the right to terminate the contract 30 days before the start date of the tour without paying any penalty, Koçal said that the termination notification must be made in a permanent data environment.
Koçal stated that official payments such as taxes and fees should be deducted and the remaining amount should be paid to the consumer and said, “If the termination notification is made less than 30 days before the start of the package tour, the agency may deduct a certain amount or rate, provided that it is stated in the contract. Therefore, our citizens must sign a contract.” And this contract should be read carefully.” he said.
“Consumers should record the grievances they encounter”
“Consumers should record the grievances they encounter”
Consumer Rights Association President Ergün Kılıç also stated that the facility to be accommodated should be thoroughly researched in order to avoid being a victim of fake reservations and said, “You can get an idea about the hotel to be booked by reviewing the comments of people who have stayed before and the photos of the facility.” he said.
Kılıç stated that if consumers encounter defective service, they can apply to consumer arbitration committees, mediation institutions and consumer courts. He said that for this year, for disputes under 104 thousand liras, they can apply to district or provincial consumer arbitration committees, and for disputes worth 104 thousand liras and above, they can apply to the mediation institution.
Stating that it is important for consumers to record defective services in order to eliminate the grievances they encounter, Kılıç said:
“If consumers are going to cancel the reservation, they must clearly state their reason in their petition. Photographs, correspondence, contract copy, and payment receipt, if any, should be attached to the petition as evidence. In the petition, it must be stated which of the optional right to withdraw from the contract or refund is preferred. The consumer may personally or through a lawyer through the Consumer Information System Consumers can apply to arbitration committees via (TÜBİS). In places where there are no arbitration committees, applications are received by the liaison personnel at the relevant district governorships and recorded in TÜBİS.”
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