The Cebu Provincial Tourism Office (CPTO) has issued a stern warning to travelers about a surge in online booking scams. Fraudsters are creating fake social media pages that impersonate legitimate hotels, resorts, and tour operators in Cebu to steal money from unsuspecting tourists.
How the Scam Operates
According to a public advisory released on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, via the Cebu Province Public Information Facebook page, the CPTO confirmed that several potential customers have already been victimized. The scammers primarily target travelers making online reservations through platforms like Facebook. They create deceptive pages that mimic the official accounts of well-known Cebu tourism establishments to intercept bookings and payments.
The advisory explicitly states that these fake pages are used to dupe customers during online transactions. The CPTO, working alongside the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU)-7, is now actively investigating these incidents.
Essential Tips for Safe Online Booking
To avoid becoming the next victim, authorities have outlined crucial verification steps for the public. First and foremost, they urge travelers to transact only with Facebook-verified pages that display the official blue checkmark. This is the simplest initial indicator of authenticity.
Beyond the checkmark, travelers should diligently cross-check information. This includes:
- Reading through reviews and comments on the page for user experiences.
- Visiting the establishment's official website (found via a separate search, not through links on the suspicious page) to compare contact details.
- Being extremely cautious when asked for down payments or deposits.
A major red flag is any request for additional fees outside the official booking process. Legitimate businesses typically do not ask for extra charges beyond the agreed-upon payment after a booking is confirmed.
Reporting and Staying Protected
The CPTO and RACU-7 encourage anyone who encounters a suspicious social media account or has fallen victim to a scam to report it immediately. Reports can be made directly to RACU-7 at 0998-5988105. Prompt reporting allows authorities to act swiftly in tracking and taking down these fraudulent pages.
The advisory concluded with a clear message for all travelers: "Stay safe and protect your travel plans by booking wisely." As online bookings remain a popular choice, vigilance and verification are the best defenses against these sophisticated scams targeting the vibrant tourism scene of Cebu.
