Sandos
HOTELS & RESORTS

8 Ways to Avoid Fraud When Booking Your Vacation

Posted on  
June 06, 2025
    
10M
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Protect Yourself When Booking

Unfortunately, we've received messages from future guests who believed they had a confirmed reservation, only to find out they had been victims of fraud. In these cases, an individual or fake agency had charged the guest but never forwarded the booking to us. By the time the guest contacted us, there was no reservation on file and no refund available from the fraudulent seller.

These scams are not only frustrating—they can ruin a long-awaited vacation. That’s why we’ve created this guide: to help you book confidently and avoid falling into common traps used by scammers pretending to sell Sandos vacations.

 

How to Safely Book Your Stay at Sandos

1. Book Only Through Sandos.com

The only official website for booking a Sandos vacation is Sandos.com. We do not partner with independent resellers through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, personal Instagram DMs, or unofficial web pages. If someone sends you a “special offer” link or asks for payment via personal bank accounts or QR codes, do not proceed.

Booking directly on Sandos.com ensures that:

  • Your reservation is immediately confirmed in our system.
     

  • You have access to our customer service and flexible cancellation policies.
     

  • You can manage your reservation online or through our official call center.

     

2. Be Wary of Full Payment Requests for Refundable Bookings

Some scams involve charging full payment upfront for bookings that are labeled “refundable.” If your hotel-only reservation is refundable, you should not be asked to pay in full at the time of booking. Only “semi-flexible” and “non-refundable” reservations require upfront payment.

If you’re unsure:

  • Re-read the cancellation policy carefully before completing the payment.
     

  • Contact our team to verify the reservation terms before you book.

 

3. Check for Secure Websites (https://)

Before entering personal or payment information online, look at the website’s address bar. It should start with https:// — the “s” stands for secure. This ensures your data is encrypted.

Avoid any site that does not display this secure protocol, especially if it requests credit card details or personal information.

 

4. Use Verified Business Emails Only

Sandos will never communicate from generic email domains like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail. All official email communication comes from addresses ending in @sandos.com, such as:
 

Be cautious of emails with lookalike domains such as sagandoxperience.com, sandozbooking.com, or any variations trying to imitate our brand. These are not legitimate.

If in doubt, forward the email to us and ask for verification.

 

5. Avoid Personal Agents Without Credentials

If someone claims to be a “Sandos agent” or “certified travel specialist,” ask for proof:

  • Do they have a professional website?
     

  • Can they provide a business phone number or a valid license number?
     

  • Are they listed on official tourism or agency databases?
     

If all they provide is a WhatsApp number or social media profile, this is a red flag. When in doubt, reach out to Sandos directly to verify their identity.

 

6. Always Confirm Airline Bookings with the Carrier

If you're purchasing a package that includes flights, you should receive a valid airline confirmation number. This allows you to:

  • Verify your booking directly with the airline.
     

  • Choose seats or add bags through the airline’s site.
     

  • Ensure your flights are real.
     

If no airline reference is provided or it cannot be validated, your booking may not exist.

 

7. Know Our Official Social Media Channels

Scammers sometimes impersonate brands using unofficial social media accounts or fake promotions. Only trust information shared from the verified accounts listed below:

Instagram:

Facebook:

TikTok:

Youtube:


X:

We do not sell vacations through unofficial pages, influencers, or personal profiles—even if they use our logo or photos.

 

8. Contact Us Directly With Any Doubts

If you’re ever unsure about a booking, an offer, or a communication you’ve received, ask us directly before paying. Our official customer service team is always ready to verify any reservation, promotion, or website for you.


Email Contacts:

Phone Numbers:

  • México & Others | +52 (55) 85266116
     

  • Spain & Europe | +34 (960) 479446
     

  • EEUU | +1 (863) 2234530
     

  • Canada | +1 (647) 6916811
     

  • Argentina | 0 (800) 8001464
     

  • Brazil | (11) 32302292
     

  • United Kingdom | +44 (203) 8074491

     

Final Reminder

If it’s not Sandos.com or one of our verified corporate social media accounts, it’s not official.

Don’t risk your vacation—book smart, stay safe, and enjoy the experience you deserve.