Over the past year, India has seen a sharp rise in fake StayVista websites—fraudulent pages that copy our branding, list non-existent villas, and trick travellers into making advance payments. These pages often appear as sponsored ads, cloned domains, WhatsApp groups, or unverified booking links shared on social media.

At StayVista, guest safety and trust come first. This detailed guide explains how travellers can recognise fake StayVista websites, what red flags to look out for, and how to ensure every booking is made only through our official channels.

Why Fake StayVista Websites Are Increasing

The villa-stay category has grown rapidly, especially in drive-to holiday destinations like Maharashtra, . With this demand, scammers are creating cloned sites to exploit travellers by:

• Copying StayVista’s property images
• Using slightly misspelled domain names
• Running misleading Google ads
• Sharing fraudulent “discounted stay” deals
• Sending guests fake payment links

These scams often result in financial loss and ruined holiday plans — making awareness essential.

How Fake StayVista Websites Operate

1. Cloned Websites with Slightly Different URLs

Fraudulent sites often use URLs like:

• Arora stays
• Vistara stays
• Vivanta stays

 These websites imitate the real one but are not managed by StayVista.

Official Website:
www.stayvista.com

2. Fake Google Ads & Sponsored Listings

Scammers run paid ads that appear above our official listing.
Travellers may click the first result assuming it’s real.

3. WhatsApp Groups From Unknown Numbers

Unauthorised agents circulate fake offers such as:

• “Get 60% off today only”
  
• “Luxury villa at ₹4,999/night”
  These offers never come from StayVista.
  

4. Unverified Payment Links

Fraudsters send payment links with unknown UPI IDs or personal bank accounts.
StayVista never takes payments through personal accounts.

5. Fake Social Media Pages

Clone Instagram pages use:

• Copied branding
  
• Stolen images
  
• Misspelt usernames
  
• No verification badge
  
• “DM to book” captions
  

How to Identify Fake StayVista Websites: The Red Flags

Spotting a fake StayVista website becomes easy once you know what to look for.

1. URL Looks Suspicious

Fake domains often include:

• Extra letters
  
• Hyphens
  
• Numbers
  
• Different extensions (.in, .xyz, .live)
  

Always double-check the spelling.

2. Prices Look Too Good to Be True

If you see a villa advertised at ₹2,000/night during a holiday weekend — it’s almost certainly a fake.

3. Payment Link Not Via stayvista.com

StayVista only takes payments through our secure booking system.
We never ask for payment via:

• Personal UPI handles
  
• Personal bank accounts
  
• Google Forms
  
• PDF invoices with QR codes
  
• WhatsApp-only communication
  

4. No Customer Support Number Listed

Fraud sites hide contact information or list unverifiable numbers.

StayVista’s verified customer support numbers are available only on our website.

5. Photos Look Stolen or Low Quality

Many scam sites upload compressed, old or stretched images copied from our official listings.

How to Book Safely With StayVista

Here are the only official channels recognised by StayVista:

1. Official Website

www.stayvista.com
All bookings must be made on this domain only.

2. Official WhatsApp

Our verified WhatsApp has:

✓ A green verified tick
✓ Business profile
✓ Official booking link redirects to stayvista.com

3. Official Customer Support Numbers

Listed only on our website footer and Contact Us page.

4. Official StayVista App (if applicable)

Make sure the developer listed is StayVista only.

What to Do If You Encounter a Fake StayVista Website

1. Do not make any payment

Even if offered an urgent discount.

2. Take screenshots

Capture the URL, WhatsApp number, and offers.

3. Report the page/website

Report via:

• Google Search
  
• Google Ads
  
• Instagram “Report” option
  
• Facebook “Fake Page” category
  

4. Email StayVista

Share the link or number so our team can escalate takedowns.

StayVista’s Efforts to Combat Fake Websites

StayVista has implemented a multi-layered anti-fraud strategy across digital channels:

1. Weekly Google & Meta Monitoring

We scan for impersonation ads and report immediately.

2. Monthly PR & Awareness Communication

We collaborate with publications to highlight rising travel scams.

3. Fraud Alerts Across Channels

• Email newsletters
  
• WhatsApp broadcasts
  
• Social media advisories
  
• Safety banners on website
  
• Blog advisories (like this one)
  

4. Verified Communication Assets

All StayVista creatives now carry the official website mention to reinforce user trust.

5. Homeowner & Guest Education

Hosts are briefed on scam patterns and verification steps.

Why Booking Directly on StayVista Matters

Booking directly on stayvista.com ensures:

• Verified property images & accurate descriptions
  
• Authentic pricing & availability
  
• Secure online payments
  
• Immediate booking confirmation
  
• 24×7 customer support
  
• No hidden charges
  
• Guaranteed villa access on arrival
  
• Zero risk of fraud
  

Your holiday deserves to be stress-free — not a victim of impersonation scams.

FAQs: Fake StayVista Websites

As fraudulent booking websites increase in India, awareness becomes essential. Do not trust external agents, unknown WhatsApp numbers, or payment links. Your safety is our priority — and with the right information, spotting a fake StayVista website becomes easy.

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Article by: Safura Shaikh