Ministry of Trade Warns Consumers About Reservations Made Through Fake Sites Created by Copying Hotel Websites

The Ministry of Trade warned consumers about reservations made through fake sites created by copying hotel websites, stating: “Particular care must be taken with cheap holiday and accommodation offers arriving through communication channels such as social media, text messages or e-mail.”

In a statement from the Ministry, it was reported that, particularly during the summer months when holiday and tourism activities are at their peak, some malicious individuals harm consumers with attractive offers sent via e-mail and text message by copying the photographs and names of the websites of popular hotels and tourism facilities.

In the statement, which listed the points consumers should pay attention to in order to avoid being victimized by reservations made through fake websites when making a hotel or accommodation reservation, the following warnings were provided:

· “- Particular care must be taken with cheap holiday and accommodation offers arriving through communication channels such as social media, text messages or e-mail.

· The accuracy of the facility images, corporate logos and marks included in the offer received should be questioned. In addition, it will be useful to verify the telephone number and contact information given in the offer's advertisement and listing by calling them or checking them online.

· Before making a purchase decision, it is important to check whether the preferred tourism facility is certified by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and how many stars the tourism facility holds, at the addresses 'www.kulturturizm.gov.tr' and 'https://yigm.ktb.gov.tr/TR-9579/turizm-tesisleri.html', and to check information regarding travel agencies at the website 'www.tursab.org.tr'.

· Particularly in contracts signed by distance means, it is advised that consumers check that the travel agency's or tourism facility's website includes its address, title and contact information, and that the website is registered with the Electronic Commerce Information System (ETBİS), and that, rather than purchasing through advertisements conveyed via social media or text message, consumers should prefer the travel agency's own website.”

The statement pointed out that the fake websites in question, designed to deceive and mislead consumers, often do not include a reservation engine for that facility and instead direct consumers to make a direct telephone call, noting that consumers should approach this situation with suspicion and check the specified telephone number against other pages and sources.

“It should be reported to the judicial authorities”

The statement, which emphasized that it would be useful—in both face-to-face and distance sales—to request the brochure or information form relating to the accommodation contract purchased, noted that, since creating a fake website to engage in activities that victimize consumers also constitutes the offense of fraud, reporting it to the judicial authorities is important in terms of preventing further victimization.

Recalling that, in order to remedy consumers' grievances and compensate their losses, disputes valued below 10,390 liras (for 2020) fall within the remit of the consumer arbitration committees, while applications valued above this amount fall within the remit of the consumer courts, the statement noted that, as a condition for filing a lawsuit, a mediator must be consulted before bringing a case in the consumer courts.