OTP Bank warns its customers before the start of summer holidays to be careful when booking holiday accommodations online. Scammers are exploiting the increased demand and luring customers with fake ads to make quick decisions and prepayments. As they explain, these are often “phantom apartments” where the advertised accommodation does not actually exist or is not available.
Ads are usually very attractive, with professional photos and detailed descriptions, and the price is often noticeably lower than comparable accommodations in the same place. The provider demands payment in advance and creates a sense of urgency, after payment communication is cut off, and upon arrival at the location it turns out that the accommodation cannot be found, they presented the scenario, which can already change a dream vacation into a nightmare on the first day.
Topics: #customers #ads #often
