Travelers planning a getaway to explore the scenic tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh need to exercise extreme caution before proceeding with any online arrangements. Securing accommodations or travel packages online has become a breeding ground for cyber scams, prompting the Chhattisgarh tourism board to issue a special advisory to safeguard visitors against financial fraud.
Beware of Fraudulent Websites and Social Media Pages
According to the tourism board, numerous unauthorized websites, mobile numbers, and social media handles are currently active, falsely offering bookings under the banner of Chhattisgarh tourism. Officials have made it clear that tourists should strictly avoid relying on any third-party intermediaries or unverified links.
Rely Only on the Official Web Portal
The board strongly urges travelers to use only the designated official website for booking accommodations, tourist spots, and allied services. The sole authorized web portal for state tourism is tourism.cgstate.gov.in. Citizens must ignore all other domains, suspicious reservation links, unsolicited advertisements, or social media pages claiming to handle official bookings.
Scammers Disappear Once Funds Are Transferred
Cyber criminals employ sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting travelers, often misusing the official logo and branding of the tourism board. They utilize appealing pictures of scenic spots and promotional material to create a facade of legitimacy. By offering heavily discounted hotel rates and travel packages that seem too good to be true, they pressure victims into making advance payments. The moment the money is transferred, the fraudsters switch off their phones, cutting off all communication.
Watch Out for These Critical Red Flags
The tourism board has outlined specific warning signs to keep in mind while booking online
- Exercise immediate caution if an offer features prices that are suspiciously lower than market rates.
- Be wary if someone exerts heavy pressure on you to make an instant or urgent payment.
- Refuse requests asking you to transfer funds into a personal bank account or an unknown UPI ID.
- Never pay unverified social media accounts or unknown mobile numbers claiming booking authority without proper checks.
Verify Before Making Any Payments
If doubts arise regarding the authenticity of any booking channel, link, or phone number, reach out directly to the tourism board before sending money. Visitors can visit the Garh Kaleva information center in Raipur or local tourism information centers established across various districts for verified details and secure reservations. Official helpline numbers are also active to resolve queries and assist travelers. A little vigilance goes a long way in protecting you from elaborate online booking scams.
