Tourists warned against scammers: Get legit agents

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY-- The Dept. of Tourism Cordillera, travel and tour organizers and accommodation operators advised travelers to check legitimacy travel agents and tourism business before going to  destinations and avoid being scammed.
    DOT Cordillera Senior Tourism Officer lawyer Brenden Kim J. Quintos said legitimate travel and tour agencies and accommodations were always available.
    He said tourists should check links featured in the social media pages of the DOT showing DOT-accredited travel and tour agencies, hotels and accommodations.
    There were also city government-accredited ones here.
    Association of Travel and Tours Management in the Cordillera (ATTIC) president Enrique Esguerra said one reason why some are being scammed was they welcomed it.
    He added the only way not to be a victim of such is to be wary of DIY or do-it-yourself method of organizing travels being offered by scammers. 
    Esguerra said travelers should also be responsible enough to check credible institutions and establishments as well as travel and tour agencies.
    He said scammers fooled victims here when they asked for deposit through online payments then didn’t respond anymore 
Quintos said the DOT partnered with the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-ACU) to guard the people against the scammers
     He said victims should be in contact with  police so scammers will be traced and be made to answer.