With the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching and football fever heating up, the Authority for Consumer Protection and Competition Defense (Acodeco) has taken preemptive action to prevent Panamanian fans from falling victim to fraud related to travel, tickets, and tourist packages. The agency held a meeting with travel agency representatives as part of a preventive strategy to ensure that the sale of World Cup-related services is conducted legally and without deceiving consumers. The meeting was led by Acodeco's Administrator, Ramón Abadi Balid, along with the institution's executives, with a clear message: the World Cup cannot become fertile ground for scammers or misleading offers that leave consumers high and dry. Acodeco explained that these actions are part of an information campaign to prevent irregularities, especially given the high interest in the tournament and the dream of many fans to support the national team on the world's biggest football stage. The institution reminded consumers that being well-informed is their first line of defense, recommending that they compare prices, be wary of suspicious bargains, and keep all payment receipts.
Key recommendations from Acodeco:
- Verify that the agency is legally registered and authorized to operate in Panama.
- Avoid resellers and dubious pages. Demand clear contracts in Spanish, with refund policies and penalties.
- Use secure payment methods and keep emails and receipts.
- Be suspicious of prices that are too low or urgent payments without backing: that smells like a scam.
- Request written information about what the package includes: hotel, transportation, tickets, taxes, and extra charges.
- Clarify whether the agency is an intermediary or a direct provider, and who is responsible for cancellations or non-compliance.
- Purchase tickets and packages only from official sites or registered agencies.
- Any anomalies can be reported through Sindi, available 24/7 via WhatsApp and Telegram at 6330-3333, on social media @AcodecoPmao on the institution's official website.
