The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday, Oct. 26, warned the public against fake websites that claim to be the agency’s eTravel site.
"We urge the public to be vigilant and exercise caution online,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
“There are numerous scams on the internet, and the false use of e-travel credentials to steal data and trick people into sending payment pops up every now and then,” he said.
The BI issued the warning after receiving reports that people have been victimized by online scam sites that ask for payment for the use of eTravel services. It said the use of eTravel website is entirely free.
“The platform may be accessed through the website etravel.gov.ph, and passengers are reminded to complete the online form at least 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival or departure,” the bureau said.
It then urged the public “to report any suspicious or fraudulent websites to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).”
It said that the eTravel website was launched earlier this year and serves as “the single data collection platform for arriving and departing passengers.”
“It is a joint project of the agency with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC),” it said.
“The project abolished the paper-based arrival and departure cards, as well as the quarantine form. It was hailed for lessening paper-based requirements for travelers, using a system similar to that used by other advanced countries,” it explained.