ILOILO City – Holiday travelers in Western Visayas risk losing money to bogus car rental and vacation accommodation offers as scammers exploit the Christmas travel rush by collecting advance payments and disappearing, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) warned.
PRO-6 regional director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño cautioned that fraudulent operators are using attractive online deals, particularly on social media, to lure unsuspecting customers into paying deposits for nonexistent or unauthorized rental services.
Once payments are transferred, the supposed service providers become unreachable, leaving victims without their money or booked accommodations and vehicles.
“Kasama din diyan yung mga rent-a-car o yung mga gustong mag-rent ng mga places. Ibig sabihin, pag hingian na sila ng down payments, hindi na sila makontak pagkatapos,” Tuaño said.
He urged travelers to verify the legitimacy of rental operators, accommodation providers and their online accounts before making payments, especially when confronted with unusually attractive offers.
“Nakikiusap ang PRO-6 sa ating mga kababayan na patuloy silang sumunod sa ating mga panawagan o advisories sapagkat nakita natin diyan, katulad na lamang ng mga cybercrimes, para maiwasan,” he said.
Beyond financial scams, Tuaño warned that publicly announcing vacation schedules and posting real-time locations on social media could expose unattended homes to criminals.
He advised residents to avoid revealing when their houses would be vacant, particularly during extended Christmas vacations.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 has finalized its Paskuhan 2026 security plan, defining the responsibilities of police units in preventing crimes and maintaining public safety throughout the holiday season.
The operational plan involves the Highway Patrol and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU), among other police units.
The Highway Patrol will oversee road safety and traffic-related security operations, while RACU will address online fraud and other cybercrime threats targeting holiday travelers.
Tuaño urged the public to remain vigilant, heed police advisories and immediately report suspicious activities.
Residents and travelers needing emergency police assistance may call hotline 911.
PRO-6 emphasized that vigilance against online fraud, responsible social media use and cooperation with authorities are essential to ensuring safer Christmas celebrations across Western Visayas./PN
