Bookhotelagency.com Review

Based on looking at the website, Bookhotelagency.com appears to be an online platform that aims to facilitate hotel bookings.

However, a thorough review reveals significant red flags that raise concerns about its legitimacy and ethical standing.

The site lacks crucial information typically found on reputable booking platforms, making it difficult to recommend for any user seeking reliable and trustworthy services.

Here’s an overall summary of Bookhotelagency.com:

• Overall Trustworthiness: Very Low
• Presence of Essential Information e.g., About Us, Contact Info, Terms of Service: Missing or Difficult to Find
• Security Measures e.g., SSL Certificate: Present
• Transparency of Pricing: Unclear
• User Reviews/Testimonials: None apparent on the site
• Ethical Considerations from an Islamic perspective: Lacks transparency and standard consumer protections, which are vital for ethical dealings.

The absence of key elements like comprehensive contact information, clear terms and conditions, and transparent pricing structures makes it challenging to verify the authenticity and operational integrity of Bookhotelagency.com.

When dealing with online transactions, especially those involving travel, trust and transparency are paramount.

Without these, users face potential risks including financial discrepancies, booking issues, and lack of recourse in case of problems.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Top Ethical Alternatives for Hotel Bookings:

When seeking to book accommodations, prioritizing platforms with a strong reputation for transparency, customer service, and ethical practices is crucial. Here are some highly-regarded alternatives:

• Booking.com

  • Key Features: Vast global inventory of hotels, apartments, and unique stays. user reviews. flexible cancellation policies. loyalty program Genius.
  • Average Price: Varies widely based on location, property type, and season.
  • Pros: Extensive selection, competitive pricing, strong customer support, transparent booking process.
  • Cons: Some smaller properties might have less detailed information.

• Expedia

  • Key Features: Comprehensive travel platform offering flights, hotels, car rentals, and packages. rewards program. price matching guarantee.
  • Average Price: Highly variable.
  • Pros: Convenience of bundling services, frequent deals, reliable customer service.
  • Cons: Can be overwhelming with too many options. cancellation policies vary by booking.

• Hotels.com

  • Key Features: Focuses primarily on hotel bookings. “Collect 10 nights, get 1 free” rewards program. Secret Prices for app users.
  • Average Price: Dynamic pricing.
  • Pros: Excellent loyalty program, good range of hotels, user-friendly interface.
  • Cons: May not always have the absolute lowest price compared to direct bookings or other aggregators.

• Agoda

  • Key Features: Strong presence in Asia. offers hotels, homes, and flights. points-based rewards program. often competitive pricing for Asian destinations.
  • Average Price: Varies significantly.
  • Pros: Great for Asian travel, user-friendly app, good deals.
  • Cons: Customer service can sometimes be slower. less comprehensive outside of Asia.

• Kayak

  • Key Features: A meta-search engine that compares prices from hundreds of other travel sites. price alerts. flexible date search.
  • Average Price: Depends on the underlying provider.
  • Pros: Helps find the best deals by aggregating information, unbiased search results.
  • Cons: Doesn’t handle bookings directly, redirects to other sites.

• Tripadvisor

  • Key Features: Primarily known for user-generated reviews and ratings. also offers booking comparison tools. extensive travel forums.
  • Average Price: Varies by vendor.
  • Pros: Unparalleled wealth of user reviews and photos, excellent for research before booking.
  • Cons: Not a direct booking site, relies on third-party links.

• Priceline

  • Key Features: Known for “Express Deals” and “Name Your Own Price” though less prominent now. bundles for flights+hotel. good for budget travelers.
  • Average Price: Often offers discounted rates.
  • Pros: Can find significant savings, especially with opaque deals.
  • Cons: Express Deals mean you don’t know the exact hotel until after booking. less flexibility once booked.

Bookhotelagency.com Review & First Look

When you land on Bookhotelagency.com, the immediate impression is one of simplicity, almost to a fault.

Reputable online booking platforms typically provide a wealth of information upfront: clear contact details, an “About Us” section detailing their mission and team, comprehensive terms of service, and a transparent privacy policy. These aren’t just niceties.

• Initial Observations: The site’s layout is minimalist, primarily focusing on a search bar for hotel bookings. While a clean interface can be appealing, this simplicity seems to stem from a lack of critical information rather than intentional design for user experience.
• Missing Information: A quick scan reveals a notable absence of standard elements. There’s no easily discoverable “About Us” page, which is essential for understanding who is behind the operation. Contact information, if present, is deeply buried or non-existent, making it nearly impossible to reach customer support or address concerns.
• Terms and Conditions: A robust “Terms of Service” and “Privacy Policy” are non-negotiable for any online service handling personal and financial data. These documents outline user rights, company responsibilities, data handling practices, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Their absence, or a generic, boilerplate version, is a significant red flag that can expose users to unforeseen risks.

Why This Matters: For any online transaction, especially those involving financial commitments like hotel bookings, transparency is key. You need to know who you’re dealing with, what the rules are, and how your data is being used. Without this, you’re essentially operating in the dark, which is a highly precarious position for any consumer. As the Federal Trade Commission FTC often emphasizes, clear and conspicuous disclosures are vital for consumer protection.

Bookhotelagency.com Security Measures

While the visible lack of information is concerning, one positive aspect is the apparent presence of an SSL certificate.

An SSL Secure Sockets Layer certificate encrypts data transmitted between your browser and the website, protecting sensitive information like passwords and payment details from being intercepted.

• SSL Certificate: The padlock icon in the browser’s address bar and the https:// prefix indicate that the site uses SSL. This is a basic security measure and a standard for any website collecting user data.
• Limitations of SSL: It’s crucial to understand that an SSL certificate only ensures data encryption during transmission. It does not validate the legitimacy of the website itself, the trustworthiness of the company, or the security of their internal data handling practices. A scam site can still have an SSL certificate.
• Beyond SSL: True online security goes far beyond just an SSL certificate. It involves robust backend security protocols, regular security audits, protection against malware and phishing, and a commitment to data privacy. Without transparent information about these deeper security practices, the presence of an SSL certificate alone offers limited reassurance.

Data Point: According to a report by the Anti-Phishing Working Group APWG, a significant percentage of phishing sites now use SSL certificates, demonstrating that this measure alone is insufficient to determine legitimacy. Always look beyond the padlock.

Bookhotelagency.com Transparency and Pricing

One of the most critical aspects of any booking platform is its pricing transparency.

Users need to know exactly what they’re paying for, including all taxes, fees, and potential surcharges, before confirming a booking.

Ambiguous pricing can lead to unexpected costs and frustration.

• Hidden Fees: Without clear terms and conditions or a detailed breakdown of costs during the booking process, there’s a risk of hidden fees or undisclosed charges appearing later. This lack of clarity is a major concern for consumer rights.
• Cancellation Policies: Reputable booking sites clearly outline their cancellation and refund policies. This includes deadlines for free cancellations, fees for late cancellations, and the process for obtaining refunds. On Bookhotelagency.com, the absence of this information makes it difficult for users to understand their options if plans change.
• Price Discrepancies: It’s not uncommon for less reputable sites to display attractive initial prices that don’t reflect the final cost, or to have significantly different prices compared to direct hotel bookings or other major aggregators. This can be a tactic to lure users in before revealing the true, higher cost.

Consumer Tip: Always compare prices across multiple reputable platforms and the hotel’s official website. This helps ensure you’re getting a fair deal and reveals any significant discrepancies that might indicate an issue with one particular site. Ethical business practices demand that pricing is upfront and all-inclusive, barring unforeseen circumstances clearly communicated to the customer. Elevenelectrical.com Review

Bookhotelagency.com Cons

Given the deficiencies observed, it’s more appropriate to focus on the significant cons rather than attempt to balance them with non-existent or unverified “pros.”

• Lack of Transparency: This is the overarching issue. The site offers no clear “About Us” section, no accessible contact information, and no explicit terms of service or privacy policy. This makes it impossible to understand who is operating the site, their business practices, or how user data is handled. As the Consumer Federation of America often highlights, transparency is fundamental to fair consumer dealings.
• Absence of Customer Support: Without readily available contact details, users would have no avenue for support if a booking goes wrong, if they need to modify a reservation, or if they have billing inquiries. This effectively leaves customers stranded.
• Unclear Booking Process Details: Beyond the initial search, the specifics of how bookings are confirmed, what happens in case of overbooking, or how cancellations are handled are not made clear. This ambiguity introduces significant risk for the user.
• No User Reviews or Testimonials: Reputable booking platforms feature user reviews and ratings, which are crucial for social proof and helping other users make informed decisions. The complete absence of such features on Bookhotelagency.com raises questions about its user base and operational history.
• Potential for Financial Risks: The combination of non-transparency and lack of recourse means users could face issues like fraudulent charges, non-existent bookings, or difficulty in obtaining refunds. Without clear policies and contact channels, resolving such issues would be a nightmare.
• Ethical Concerns: From an ethical standpoint, particularly within an Islamic framework, business dealings must be characterized by clarity, honesty, and fairness. The opaque nature of Bookhotelagency.com falls short of these principles, as it does not provide sufficient information for a transaction to be considered fully transparent and risk-mitigated for the consumer. Ambiguity in contracts and dealings gharar is to be avoided, and this website embodies a high degree of such ambiguity.

Bookhotelagency.com Alternatives

Given the significant drawbacks and the lack of transparency, Bookhotelagency.com is not a recommended platform for hotel bookings.

It’s always advisable to use well-established, transparent, and user-reviewed platforms that prioritize customer protection and clear communication.

Here are the top alternatives, emphasizing those known for their reliability and ethical business practices:

• Booking.com: Widely recognized for its extensive inventory and user-friendly interface. Booking.com offers transparent pricing, detailed property information, and a robust review system. Their customer service is generally responsive, and they provide clear cancellation policies. It’s a go-to for many travelers globally.
• Expedia: A comprehensive travel giant, Expedia allows you to book hotels, flights, and car rentals, often with package deals. They have a strong reputation, clear terms, and dedicated customer support channels. Their reward program also provides benefits for frequent users.
• Hotels.com: Part of the Expedia Group, Hotels.com focuses purely on accommodations. Their “Collect 10 nights, get 1 free” loyalty program is a major draw. They maintain clear policies and offer competitive pricing, making them a reliable choice for hotel-centric searches.
• Agoda: Particularly strong in Asian markets, Agoda offers a vast selection of hotels and private accommodations. They are known for competitive pricing and a good user experience on their app. While customer service can sometimes be slower than Western counterparts, they are a legitimate and widely used platform.
• Kayak: As a meta-search engine, Kayak doesn’t handle bookings directly but aggregates prices from hundreds of travel sites, including direct hotel websites. This allows users to compare deals and find the best price. It acts as an excellent tool for research and price discovery before booking on a trusted site.
• Tripadvisor: While primarily a review platform, Tripadvisor also offers a booking comparison tool, linking to various reputable booking sites. Its strength lies in the immense volume of user-generated reviews, photos, and forums, providing unparalleled insights into properties before you book.
• Priceline: Priceline is known for its “Express Deals” and opaque pricing options that can offer significant discounts. While these opaque deals mean you don’t know the exact hotel until after booking, the platform itself is established and provides customer support. For those willing to trade specificity for savings, it’s a viable option.

These alternatives not only offer a broader selection and potentially better prices but also, crucially, provide the security, transparency, and customer support that are completely lacking on Bookhotelagency.com.

When dealing with online services, especially those involving financial transactions, always prioritize platforms that are upfront about their operations and offer clear recourse in case of issues.

How to Avoid Risky Online Booking Sites

While the convenience is undeniable, the internet also hosts countless websites that are less than legitimate.

Protecting yourself involves a proactive and discerning approach.

• Verify Website Legitimacy: Start by scrutinizing the website itself. Look for obvious signs of professionalism and transparency. Does it have a clear “About Us” section detailing the company’s background, mission, and physical address? Is there readily available contact information, including a phone number and email address? A lack of these basic elements is a significant red flag. Reputable sites also typically feature well-written content, not riddled with grammatical errors or awkward phrasing that often characterizes hastily put-together scam sites.
• Check for Secure Connection SSL: Always ensure the website uses an SSL certificate. You can tell by the “https://” in the URL and the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. While an SSL certificate means your data is encrypted, remember it doesn’t guarantee the site’s legitimacy. It’s a necessary, but not sufficient, security measure.
• Read Reviews and Research Online: Before making any booking, do a quick online search for reviews of the website. Look for independent reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or travel forums. Pay attention to consistent negative feedback, especially regarding cancellations, hidden fees, or non-existent bookings. A lack of any online presence or reviews is also a red flag.
• Understand Terms and Conditions: It might seem tedious, but reading the terms of service, privacy policy, and cancellation policy is crucial. These documents outline your rights and obligations, as well as the company’s responsibilities. If these are missing, vague, or riddled with legal jargon that seems designed to confuse, proceed with extreme caution.
• Be Wary of “Too Good To Be True” Deals: If a price seems significantly lower than what you find on major, reputable booking sites or the hotel’s official website, it’s usually a trap. Scam sites often lure users with unbelievably low prices to quickly capture personal and financial information.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Whenever possible, use a credit card for online transactions. Credit card companies often offer strong consumer protections, including the ability to dispute fraudulent charges or charges for services not rendered. Avoid wire transfers, direct bank transfers, or cryptocurrency payments, as these are almost impossible to reverse if something goes wrong.

Statistical Insight: A study by Cybersecurity Ventures predicted that cybercrime damages, including those from online scams, would hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. This underscores the increasing need for vigilance in online transactions.

How to Cancel Bookhotelagency.com Subscription / Free Trial

This section addresses a common concern with subscription-based services or “free trials” that automatically convert to paid plans. However, for Bookhotelagency.com, the website does not appear to offer any subscription service or free trial. Its primary function seems to be a direct booking portal, albeit a questionable one. Therefore, the advice here is geared towards how one would generally handle such cancellations on legitimate platforms, and what to do if you’ve encountered unauthorized charges from a site like Bookhotelagency.com. Sortsmart.io Review

• No Apparent Subscription Model: Based on the public-facing elements of Bookhotelagency.com, there’s no visible indication of a subscription service, a free trial, or a recurring billing model. This is important to note because if you were charged by them, it’s likely a one-time charge for a supposed booking rather than a subscription.
• If You Were Charged Unexpectedly: If you find a charge from “Bookhotelagency.com” on your bank or credit card statement that you didn’t authorize or can’t account for, it’s crucial to act immediately.
  • Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company: This is your first line of defense. Explain the situation, stating that the charge is unauthorized or for a service not rendered. Most credit card companies offer strong fraud protection and will initiate a chargeback process.
  • Gather Evidence: Collect any emails, screenshots, or transaction IDs related to your interaction or lack thereof with Bookhotelagency.com. This evidence will strengthen your claim with your bank.
  • Monitor Your Statements: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any further suspicious activity. If one charge appeared, others might follow.
• General Steps for Canceling Online Subscriptions/Trials for legitimate services:
  • Check Account Settings: Log in to your account on the service provider’s website. Most legitimate platforms will have a “Subscription,” “Billing,” “Account Settings,” or “Manage Plan” section where you can cancel.
  • Review Terms and Conditions: Always check the cancellation policy for any specific steps, deadlines, or fees associated with canceling.
  • Contact Customer Support: If you can’t find the option online, reach out to their customer support via phone, email, or live chat. Request a confirmation of cancellation.
  • Confirm Cancellation: Ensure you receive a confirmation email or reference number for your cancellation. Keep this for your records.
  • Monitor Bank Statements: Verify that no further charges appear after cancellation.

Important Note: The lack of a clear cancellation mechanism on Bookhotelagency.com, assuming it were to charge subscriptions, further underscores its unreliable nature. Legitimate businesses make it straightforward for customers to manage their subscriptions.

Bookhotelagency.com Pricing

The pricing model on Bookhotelagency.com, like many other aspects of the site, is not transparent.

When you search for hotels, the prices displayed are likely pulled from various sources, but the critical information regarding how these prices are finalized, what fees are included, and what the total cost will be, remains largely undefined.

This lack of clarity is a significant concern for consumers.

• Lack of Detailed Price Breakdown: Reputable booking sites provide a clear breakdown of the total cost, itemizing the nightly rate, taxes, service fees, and any resort fees. On Bookhotelagency.com, it’s highly probable that such a detailed breakdown is either absent or only revealed at a very late stage of the booking process, potentially leading to “sticker shock.”
• Dynamic and Potentially Misleading Pricing: Online travel agencies often use dynamic pricing, where rates fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and other factors. While this is normal, the concern with less legitimate sites is the potential for displaying an initial low price to attract users, only to inflate it with hidden charges or non-optional fees as the user proceeds.
• Currency and Exchange Rate Ambiguity: Without explicit information on the currency used for display and the one charged, users, especially international travelers, could face unexpected conversion fees or unfavorable exchange rates.
• No Best Price Guarantee: Many established platforms offer a “best price guarantee” or price matching, reflecting their confidence in their competitive rates. The absence of any such assurance on Bookhotelagency.com is another indicator of its potentially uncompetitive or untrustworthy pricing practices.
• Payment Gateway Concerns: The payment process itself should be scrutinized. A legitimate site will use well-known, secure payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or major bank payment processing systems and clearly state which payment methods are accepted. Any request for unusual payment methods e.g., direct bank transfer to a personal account is a major fraud indicator.

Economic Context: The travel industry sees billions in transactions annually. According to the U.S. Travel Association, domestic leisure travel spending reached $792 billion in 2022. This massive volume makes it a prime target for fraudulent operations that capitalize on consumers’ desire for good deals and convenience. Transparency in pricing is not just good business. it’s a fundamental consumer right, preventing exploitation and fostering trust.

Bookhotelagency.com vs. Competitors

Comparing Bookhotelagency.com to established competitors is like comparing a shadowy back-alley stall to a bustling, well-regulated marketplace.

The differences are stark and primarily revolve around trust, transparency, and consumer protection.

• Transparency and Trust:
  • Bookhotelagency.com: Operates with minimal transparency. No clear “About Us,” contact details, or comprehensive terms. This creates a significant trust deficit.
  • Competitors e.g., Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com: These platforms are highly transparent. They prominently display their company information, detailed terms and conditions, privacy policies, and multiple channels for customer support. Their business models rely heavily on user trust and repeat business.
• User Experience and Features:
  • Bookhotelagency.com: Offers a basic search functionality, but lacks the rich features, detailed property information, and user-generated content reviews, photos that enhance the booking experience.
  • Competitors: Provide extensive filters, high-resolution photos, virtual tours, user reviews and ratings, loyalty programs, price alerts, and often bundled deals for flights and cars. They invest heavily in user interface and experience.
• Customer Support and Dispute Resolution:
  • Bookhotelagency.com: Appears to offer no readily available customer support, making dispute resolution virtually impossible.
  • Competitors: Have dedicated customer service teams available via phone, email, and chat, often 24/7. They have established procedures for cancellations, modifications, and handling disputes, providing a safety net for users.
• Security and Payment Processing:
  • Bookhotelagency.com: While it has an SSL certificate, the overall security posture is questionable due to the lack of transparency about data handling and backend security.
  • Competitors: Utilize advanced encryption, comply with data protection regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and partner with reputable, secure payment gateways. They also offer consumer protections like chargeback assistance.
• Ethical Compliance:
  • Bookhotelagency.com: The opaqueness and lack of consumer protections raise significant ethical concerns. Business dealings should be clear and fair, and this site fails to meet that standard.
  • Competitors: While profit-driven, they operate within established legal and ethical frameworks, subject to consumer protection laws in the regions they serve. They strive for transparent pricing and clear communication, which aligns with ethical business principles.

Conclusion: The comparison clearly positions Bookhotelagency.com as a risky, unverified platform lacking the fundamental elements of a trustworthy online service. For any hotel booking, consistently choosing established and reputable alternatives is not just a matter of convenience, but a crucial step in safeguarding your personal and financial information. The potential for loss and frustration far outweighs any perceived, fleeting benefit of using such an unvetted site.

FAQ

What is Bookhotelagency.com?

Bookhotelagency.com appears to be an online platform designed for booking hotels.

However, a review of the website reveals significant concerns regarding its transparency and legitimacy. 6ct.org Review

Is Bookhotelagency.com a legitimate website for booking hotels?

Based on the lack of crucial information such as a clear “About Us” section, comprehensive contact details, and explicit terms of service, Bookhotelagency.com raises significant doubts about its legitimacy and is not recommended.

What are the main concerns about Bookhotelagency.com?

The main concerns include a severe lack of transparency, absence of accessible customer support, unclear pricing details, no visible user reviews, and potential financial risks due to these deficiencies.

Does Bookhotelagency.com have an SSL certificate?

Yes, Bookhotelagency.com appears to have an SSL certificate, which encrypts data transmitted between your browser and the website.

However, an SSL certificate alone does not guarantee a website’s overall legitimacy or trustworthiness.

Can I trust Bookhotelagency.com with my payment information?

Given the site’s lack of transparency and other red flags, it is highly unadvisable to trust Bookhotelagency.com with your payment information due to potential security risks and lack of recourse in case of fraudulent activity.

How does Bookhotelagency.com handle cancellations or refunds?

The website provides no clear information regarding its cancellation policies or refund processes, which is a major red flag.

This makes it difficult for users to understand their rights or options if they need to change or cancel a booking.

Are there any user reviews or testimonials for Bookhotelagency.com?

There are no apparent user reviews or testimonials prominently displayed on Bookhotelagency.com, nor are they easily found through independent online searches, which further contributes to concerns about its credibility.

What information is missing from Bookhotelagency.com’s website?

Key missing information includes a detailed “About Us” page, comprehensive contact information phone, email, physical address, clear and explicit terms of service, and a transparent privacy policy.

What are ethical alternatives to Bookhotelagency.com for booking hotels?

Ethical and highly recommended alternatives include Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Agoda, Kayak, Tripadvisor, and Priceline. Lonerobot.ltd Review

How can I protect myself from risky online booking sites?

Always verify website legitimacy by checking for clear “About Us” and contact info, ensure an SSL connection, read independent online reviews, understand terms and conditions, be wary of deals that are “too good to be true,” and use secure payment methods like credit cards.

Does Bookhotelagency.com offer competitive pricing?

While the site may display prices, the lack of transparency regarding fees and the overall trustworthiness of the platform make it impossible to confirm if its pricing is genuinely competitive or if it involves hidden charges.

Is Bookhotelagency.com a meta-search engine or a direct booking platform?

Bookhotelagency.com appears to function as a direct booking platform, rather than a meta-search engine that compares prices from multiple sites.

What should I do if I encounter an unauthorized charge from Bookhotelagency.com?

If you find an unauthorized charge, immediately contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the transaction and gather any relevant evidence of your interaction or lack thereof with the website.

Does Bookhotelagency.com offer a subscription service or free trial?

No, based on the website’s public-facing elements, Bookhotelagency.com does not appear to offer any subscription service or free trial.

Charges would likely be for purported one-time bookings.

Are there any legal compliance details visible on Bookhotelagency.com?

No, the website lacks readily visible legal compliance details, such as privacy policies or data protection statements, which are standard for legitimate online businesses operating in regulated regions.

How does Bookhotelagency.com compare to major booking sites in terms of features?

Bookhotelagency.com offers very basic search functionality and lacks the rich features, detailed property information, user reviews, and loyalty programs found on major, reputable booking sites.

Can I book flights or car rentals on Bookhotelagency.com?

The primary focus of Bookhotelagency.com appears to be hotel bookings.

There is no clear indication that it offers services for booking flights or car rentals. Jamessmiley.com Review

What are the ethical implications of using a non-transparent booking site?

Using a non-transparent booking site can lead to uncertainty gharar, lack of fairness, and potential for exploitation due to hidden terms or non-existent services, which goes against ethical business principles.

How reliable is the information provided on Bookhotelagency.com?

Given the overall lack of transparency and crucial missing information, the reliability of any details provided on Bookhotelagency.com is questionable, and users should exercise extreme caution.

What is the best course of action if I’ve already made a booking on Bookhotelagency.com?

If you have already made a booking, immediately check your credit card statement for the charge.

If you don’t receive a confirmation or if anything seems amiss, contact your bank or credit card company to inquire about a chargeback and monitor your statements for further suspicious activity.