As living costs rise, it's becoming a concerning issue that many travellers are letting their guard down when booking holidays and trips to save money. In their pursuit of a good deal, they're willing to take risks and book trips with limited information. Resultantly, the financial pressures are pushing people towards riskier choices, making them more vulnerable to online scams.
Recently, Thrillophilia, a leading travel experience provider in India, has become the target of such scams. The company’s co-founder, Mr. Abhishek Daga, has addressed this pressing issue, urging customers to stay vigilant and informed.
Thrillophilia Telegram Scam: Misusing the Brand’s Identity
Thrillophilia, known for curating unique travel experiences in both domestic and global destinations, has unfortunately been caught in the crosshairs of some fraudulent activities. Reports have surfaced of scams misusing Thrillophilia's name, with fake websites, unauthorised commission programs, and fraudulent Telegram channels being set up to deceive customers.
Mr. Abhishek Daga, the co-founder of Thrillophilia, has spoken out strongly against these scams, issuing a message to alert and protect customers.
His message reads: "There have been reports of ongoing online scams misusing Thrillophilia's name. I want to make it clear that Thrillophilia does not have any franchise schemes, Telegram channels for selling, or commission programs."
This clear and direct message serves as a warning to all potential customers. It is essential to understand that any communication claiming to offer Thrillophilia franchises, exclusive deals through Telegram, or commission-based programs is fraudulent.
The company has clearly stated that it operates solely through its official website, and any other platform claiming to represent Thrillophilia should be treated with extreme caution.
Identifying Fraudulent Activities
Abhishek highlighted the need to recognize scams early. In his Linkedin post, he clearly mentioned that if anyone reaches out with schemes and requests money for signups, it should be reported immediately to fraudalerts@thrillophilia.com. Thrillophilia is committed to taking such incidents seriously and will take appropriate action against these scams.
It is true that the first step in combating fraud is awareness. Customers must be on the lookout for suspicious communication, particularly those that deviate from the usual practices of Thrillophilia. “If a deal seems too good to be true or if you're being asked for payments through unofficial channels, it's likely a scam”, quoted Abhishek
Further, he also requested the customers to always ensure that any payment they make is only through the official website, www.thrillophilia.com. Thrillophilia’s co-founder stated, “Please be cautious of dummy websites which scamsters have been creating like thrillophilia-booking.com, thrillophilia-payment.com, etc. and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Always ensure you’re on the official Thrillophilia site before making any transactions.”
In response to these fraudulent activities, Thrillophilia has taken several measures to protect its customers and maintain the integrity of its brand.
Abhishek explained, "Those who have actually been affected have contacted us, and we advised them to contact their bank immediately and file a report. We are making every effort to warn our users."
Thrillophilia is not only advising affected customers but is also actively working to track down and stop these scammers. The company claims to prioritise customer safety which is evident in their prompt response and ongoing efforts to combat fraud.
Here’s What You Can Do
While Thrillophilia is doing everything it can to address these scams, customer vigilance is equally important. Thrillophilia suggests some general yet important, practical tips to protect yourself:
- Verification of the Website: Always make sure you’re on the official Thrillophilia website (www.thrillophilia.com) before making any payments. Double-check the URL and look for the secure padlock symbol in the address bar.
- Stay Away from Unofficial Channels: Thrillophilia does not operate through Telegram or any other third-party platforms for sales or sign-ups. If you’re contacted through these channels, report it immediately.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter any suspicious schemes or communication, report them to Thrillophilia at fraudalerts@thrillophilia.com. Your report can help prevent others from falling victim to these scams.
- Contact Your Bank Immediately: If you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately to report the fraud and attempt to recover your funds. It’s also advisable to file a report with local authorities.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with official communications from Thrillophilia to stay informed about any new developments or warnings related to fraud.
A Shared Responsibility!
“We are also working closely with the relevant authorities to combat these frauds, but your vigilance is crucial. If you ever feel uncertain about a payment or any scheme, please don't hesitate to reach out to us”, Abhishek concluded his statement with an important reminder.
This message underscores the shared responsibility between Thrillophilia and its customers in fighting the fraud. While the company is taking all necessary steps to address these scams, customer awareness and caution are key to preventing future incidents.