Preventing Phishing Scams on Booking.com: Maintaining Your Safety

In the digital age, it's essential to exercise caution when navigating the web, especially when it comes to online bookings for accommodation. A recent spate of fraudulent activities has been reported, with criminals posing as accommodation providers and requesting payments not included in the booking confirmation.

One such instance involved Florian H., who received a message via the Booking.com messaging portal asking him to verify his payment information. However, the request turned out to be a fake one, as the message directed him to a website that looked like the real Booking.com website but had an incorrect web address.

To avoid falling victim to such fraud, it's advisable to pay attention to the web address of any links provided in messages. Booking.com emphasizes that sensitive information such as credit card details should not be provided via email, chat message, SMS, WhatsApp, or phone. All communication should occur directly through the booking platform.

If you receive a payment issue message after booking, it's recommended to contact the booking platform's customer service or call the hotel directly. It's also advisable to report fraud incidents to the police.

Criminals use a method called phishing, often impersonating authorities and requesting victims to enter their payment data, sometimes supported by techniques like vishing (voice phishing) or deepfake videos posing as CEOs or officials to instruct urgent payments. Fraudsters obtain data through phishing attacks that cause employees of accommodations to click on fraudulent links, allowing access to their accounts.

Hidden pitfalls and cost traps can be found on booking platforms, and QR Code Fraud can also be a concern for vacationers. To avoid such fraud, payments should be made exclusively through the booking platform. If you've already entered credit card data on a foreign site, immediately contact your bank to try to retrieve the funds and block your card.

It's important to remember that fraud attempts can occur both shortly after booking or weeks later. Similar scams occur on other platforms, such as Airbnb, where a victim was asked by an alleged host to handle the booking through Booking.com, but the email led to a fake page that resembled Booking.com but had a different web address.

Booking.com denies having a security breach in its systems, reassuring users that their data remains secure. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. By staying vigilant and following these simple tips, you can enjoy a hassle-free and secure online booking experience.