Facebook Scam: Samal Island Resorts Targeted
Two of Samal Island’s most renowned resorts, Club Samal and Pearl Farm Beach Resort, have issued urgent warnings to the public about a sophisticated scam targeting potential guests.
The scam involves the creation of fraudulent Facebook pages that closely resemble the official resort profiles. These counterfeit pages meticulously copy official logos, images, and even past posts, creating a highly convincing facade of legitimacy. To lure unsuspecting victims, these fake pages aggressively promote heavily discounted rates, often boasting savings of up to 50%, through targeted boosted ads.
Victims who fall for this deceptive tactic are typically contacted by scammers who offer enticing rates and then request down payments or full payments via provided bank account details. However, once the payment is made, all communication abruptly ceases. Victims are left without any confirmation of their bookings, facing the loss of their hard-earned money and the disappointment of a ruined vacation plan.
Warning Signs:
- Unverified/fake Facebook pages
- Unrealistic discounts
- Urgent payment requests
- Lack of official contact information
- Poor grammar/spelling
Safety Precautions:
- Verify official resort pages (check blue tick/verification)
- Be cautious of unusually low rates
- Contact resorts directly through official channels
- Avoid sharing personal/banking information
- Report suspicious pages to Facebook
Report Suspicious Activity:
- Facebook: Report fake pages/accounts
- Resort websites: Verify official contact information
- National Consumer Complaints Hotline: (02) 8888-5244
Stay vigilant and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
