The Consumers and Users Association Online (Consumur) has once again focused this Thursday on the dangers of paying in advance the full amount of a trip to certain agencies that advertise abnormally cheap rates, after a presumed scam attributed to a travel agency based in L'Escala (Girona) was revealed, which would have reached nearly 300,000 euros defrauded.
The deception under investigation currently affects about 200 families who contracted flights and stays that ultimately did not exist. In light of this situation, the consumer organization has activated its support service to advise affected individuals on claiming their rights, reminding them that they can demand the full refund of the amounts paid and the corresponding compensation for the economic damages suffered, a process that, predictably, will have to be processed before the courts.
To reduce the risk of this type of fraud in the contracting of vacation packages, Consumur urges users to check in advance that the agency is registered in the official registry of tourist companies in their autonomous community and that it has the mandatory guarantees or civil liability policies that ensure payment in case of insolvency.
Likewise, the association advises against paying one hundred percent of the trip cost several months in advance if the agency does not immediately provide the official documentation with verifiable reservation codes, as well as being wary of promotions far below the usual market price.
The entity also suggests prioritizing the use of credit cards over bank transfers and keeping all payment receipts, invoices, and emails, as they constitute key evidence in case it is necessary to initiate legal proceedings.