The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is fielding travel marshals in seaports, airports, train stations and bus terminals across the country as part of a nationwide effort against travel scams as the country looks forward to the upcoming long Lenten weekend in under two weeks.
According to Transportation assistant secretary for communications and commuter affairs (CCAO) Hector Villacorta, the transport agency will implement heightened information presence in airports, seaports, bus terminals, and train stations.
In line with the Department’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2024,” travellers and passengers will be provided with information on how to avoid and where to report travel and vacation scams.
“We are very much willing to cooperate with the project of disseminating information on how to prevent cyber scams,” VIllacorta said.
“We are giving the assurance that our terminals, airports, seaports, bus stations are willing to host the information campaign against cyber scams,” he said.
In partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Scam Watch Pilipinas, and other private stakeholders, the DOTr has cautioned travelers, especially during the Holy Week, first to verify their online transactions.
Scam Watch Pilipinas has listed 14 potential cyber scams, including fake accommodations, fake wi-fi, too-good-to-be-true deals, free vacation traps, fake travel agents, overpriced tours, charity cons, counterfeit cash, hidden CCTV, selling lost luggage on FB, fake cellphone sim cards, fixers, cheap airline tickets on social media, and fake taxis.
