How to check a licensed travel agency before paying

A copied licence image does not prove that the person messaging you represents the licensed company. Check the agency through MOTAC and independently match contact, branch and payment details.

What the official sources establish

MOTAC provides an official licensed travel-agency search. Consumer service or payment issues may also involve KPDN, but the correct route depends on the booking and alleged conduct.

What to check

• Legal agency name, licence number, status, address and permitted business match MOTAC.
• Website, email, phone and bank beneficiary match independently verified company details.
• Itinerary names suppliers, dates, inclusions, exclusions and minimum group conditions.
• Deposit, balance, cancellation, substitution, refund and travel-document responsibilities are written.

A practical way to decide

1. Search MOTAC by the legal name before transferring money.
2. Call a number obtained independently to verify the salesperson and bank account.
3. Save the advertised package and signed terms before payment.
4. Complain to the agency in writing, then use the applicable MOTAC or consumer channel.

A useful decision rule

Do not pay until the licence, representative, payment recipient and written itinerary all connect to the same business. A low price does not explain an identity mismatch.

Common mistake to avoid

Do not send passport copies in an open chat before verifying the agency and its data-handling need. Watermark necessary copies for the stated booking purpose where appropriate.

Keep the evidence

Save the dated product page, quotation or terms you relied on, together with receipts, model or registration numbers and written messages. Public pages and commercial terms can change; recheck the linked official sources before committing money or making a complaint.