Fraud in Mallorca: Holidaymakers lose 800 euros in phantom apartment!

Fraud in Mallorca: Holidaymakers lose 800 euros in phantom apartment!

The popular holiday destination Mallorca, often referred to as Germany's 17th federal state, has once again attracted attention - and for unusually alarming reasons. The married couple Martina and Rüdiger Hack fell victim to a perfidious scam during their stay on the sunny island. How derwesten.de According to reports, the couple booked a holiday apartment that ultimately did not exist. Before the trip, they transferred 800 euros to a Spanish account, only to arrive when they arrived in front of an empty holiday home that had never been occupied by an alleged owner.

The Hacks were forced to shorten their trip by four days after failing to find alternative accommodation. Such cases of fraud are by no means isolated cases in Mallorca. Loud mallorcatravel.eu The number of cases of fraudsters using fake data and images of existing properties to deceive unsuspecting holidaymakers is increasing. Vendors that offer extremely low prices and require deposits should be viewed with particular caution.

Protection against fraud: important tips

Iwona Husemann from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center recommends taking some safety precautions before booking holiday apartments. This includes checking the offers carefully and obtaining information about the duration of the offer as well as reviews from other travelers. She also recommends using Google Maps to check the existence of the accommodation.

• Überprüfen Sie, ob die Buchungsseite ein Impressum mit vollständiger Adresse und Kontaktdaten enthält.
• Achten Sie auf 0190-Vorwahlen, die auf unseriöse Anbieter hinweisen könnten.
• Die Buchungsbestätigung sollte umgehend erfolgen und die Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen (AGB) gelesen werden.

Reputable booking sites, such as booking.com, also warn that their employees should never request sensitive information. These tips are particularly important because those affected often only realize on site that they have fallen for a fraudster. The dangers are many; Noticeably low prices and missing contact details are clear warning signs.

To prevent further fraud, you should obtain comprehensive information about providers, obtain references and opinions to avoid unpleasant surprises. A good security measure is also to process payments via SSL-encrypted websites, whereby deposits should not exceed 30% of the total price. By taking these precautions, travelers can ensure that their precious vacation time is not marred by fraud.