Pay only the licensed company named on your contract, into an account in that company’s name, and get a receipt on the same day. If you follow those three habits, you can trace every payment and show it to anyone who asks.
You are sending a large sum for something you cannot see yet, so some nervousness is reasonable. A few calm checks make it much safer.
What should you check before the first payment?
Check the licence first. Consumers are advised to verify an agency on the MOTAC website before paying and to report suspicious operators through MOTAC channels[1].
MOTAC has said that any travel agency, transport, accommodation or tour guide operator must be licensed before operating, including online[2]. Our guide to checking a MOTAC licence shows the steps.
Which payment methods work?
Each method has its own strengths. Use the one you can document best.
| Method | Strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Clear record of payer, payee and date | Check the account name before you press send |
| Credit or debit card | May offer a dispute route through your bank | Ask the issuer what it covers |
| Online payment link | Quick | Confirm the link comes from the company, not a stranger |
| Cash | Familiar | Only against a signed or stamped receipt |
Ask your agency which methods it accepts, and ask your bank what protections apply to the one you choose.
What is the one-minute check before a transfer?
Do this every time, however small the amount.
- Match the account name on your banking app with the licensed company name on the contract.
- Match the amount with the payment schedule you were given.
- Write the tour name and the traveller’s name in the payment reference.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation.
- Message the agency to say what you paid and ask for a receipt.
If the account name differs, stop and ask for a written explanation. Do not send the money first and ask later.
Which requests should you refuse?
Decline politely if you are asked to pay a personal account, to pay in a way that avoids a receipt, to send money immediately because the price “ends tonight”, or to click a payment link from an unknown number.
A good agency understands careful customers. Our page on referral sites versus agencies helps you work out who is meant to receive the money.
Which receipts and papers should you keep?
Keep the quotation, the contract, every receipt, the transfer screenshots and the messages where payments were agreed. Put them in one folder, on paper or on your phone.
Deposits and payment schedules explains how to line them up stage by stage. If a problem comes up later, complaining about a travel agency shows how this folder helps.
What should you do next?
Write down the licensed company name, then check it against the contract and the account. Visit the booking topic page for the related checks.
Message us on WhatsApp if you would like a calm second look before you send the first payment.