If you are planning to spend your holidays in the Polish mountains, beware of false accommodation offers. Police warns that this practice is very common and only during the recent New Year’s Eve in Zakopane they have received several reports of frauds based on so called virtual accommodation.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that tourists are more cautious than in previous years, this type of fraud is reported almost on a daily basis.

Scammers place fraudulent ads on fake websites or auction sites with attractive pricing offers for accommodation in Zakopane and the surrounding area. Tourists should verify before paying for the offer, and the arrival, whether the guest house or cottage actually exists, and not just be guided by the bargain price. Often such offers involve fictitious address of accommodation using photographs from authentic offers, and the listing only includes the contact’s telephone number.