The deposit is where trust meets money in medical tourism — and it's where the most damaging scams happen. You've found a clinic, had a virtual consultation, received a quote, and now they're asking for 30–50% upfront to secure your surgery date. How do you know the money is going to a real clinic and not a scammer's personal bank account?
This guide isn't about fear — the vast majority of Colombian medical providers are legitimate professionals. It's about practical verification steps that protect you without insulting your surgeon, and red flags that should stop any transaction in its tracks.
Red Flags That Should Stop You from Sending Money
Personal bank account instead of business account. Legitimate clinics have business bank accounts registered to the clinic or medical corporation name. If the wire instructions list a personal name (e.g., "Juan García Pérez — Bancolombia savings account"), stop. Ask for the clinic's NIT (tax ID number) and a business-named account.
Crypto, gift cards, or untraceable payment methods. No legitimate medical practice in Colombia or anywhere else will ask you to pay in cryptocurrency, prepaid gift cards, or Western Union transfers to a personal recipient. These are scam signatures, full stop.
Pressure to pay immediately. "This price is only available if you deposit today" is a sales tactic, not a medical practice. Legitimate surgeons have wait lists because they're good — they don't need high-pressure sales tactics to fill their schedules.
No verifiable credentials. Before sending a single dollar, verify your surgeon's RETHUS number (Colombia's national medical registry) and their specialty board certification (SCCP for plastic surgery, SCO for ophthalmology, etc.). If they can't or won't provide these, walk away.
Communication only through Instagram DMs or WhatsApp from a U.S. number. Legitimate Colombian clinics operate from Colombian phone numbers (+57), have physical addresses you can verify on Google Maps, and have a web presence beyond social media. A "surgeon" who only communicates through Instagram DMs and has no verifiable clinic address is not a surgeon.
How to Verify Before You Pay
| Verification Step | How to Do It | What You're Checking |
|---|---|---|
| RETHUS registry lookup | Search the Colombian Ministry of Health RETHUS database | Doctor is registered and licensed to practice |
| SCCP directory (plastic surgery) | Search sccp.org.co member directory | Surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery |
| Google Maps / Street View | Search the clinic address | Physical location exists and looks like a medical facility |
| NIT verification | Ask for the clinic's NIT (tax ID) | Business is registered with Colombian tax authority (DIAN) |
| Hospital privileges | Ask which hospital they have privileges at | Surgeon can operate at an accredited facility, not just a rented room |
| Before/after portfolio review | Ask for full before/after photos with consent | Consistent, realistic results across many patients |
Safe Payment Practices
Pay to a verified business account. The wire/transfer recipient should be a clinic or corporation name, not an individual. Cross-reference the account name with the clinic's registered NIT.
Get a detailed receipt for every payment. This should include the clinic name, NIT, your name, the procedure(s) covered, the amount paid, the date, and the remaining balance. Email or printed — both are acceptable. In Colombia, a formal "factura" (invoice) from a registered business is the gold standard.
Use Wise or a traceable wire transfer. These create a documented paper trail. If something goes wrong, you have transfer records, recipient information, and timestamps. See our payment methods guide for the full breakdown.
Confirm the refund and cancellation policy in writing. Before you send the deposit, get the cancellation terms in writing — email, WhatsApp message, or formal document. What happens if you cancel 30 days out? 7 days? What if the surgeon cancels or reschedules? Legitimate clinics have clear policies.
Start small if you're uncertain. Some clinics accept a smaller initial deposit ($500–$1,000) to hold a date, with the remainder due on arrival. This limits your exposure if something doesn't feel right after the initial payment.
What If Something Goes Wrong
If you've sent a deposit and suspect fraud:
- Contact your bank or Wise immediately to attempt a recall or dispute
- File a report with Colombia's Fiscalía General (Attorney General) — they take medical fraud seriously, especially cases involving international patients
- Report the provider to the relevant professional board (SCCP, etc.)
- Document everything: screenshots of communications, payment receipts, promises made
Want Help Verifying a Clinic?
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