Holidaymakers Scammed on Booking.com

In July, a holidaymaker received a concerning message through the Booking.com platform, demanding a payment of €1,001 to confirm his booking. The message, which appeared to be from the hotel, requested his card details and warned that failure to comply could result in the cancellation of his reservation. Sensing a scam, he promptly contacted Booking.com and his bank, Monzo, highlighting a growing trend of fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting customers. Reports have surfaced of numerous individuals receiving similar messages, with many recognizing the scam before falling victim. Criminals are reportedly targeting small hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments that lack robust security measures. By posing as customers with inquiries, these fraudsters trick hotel staff into opening malicious links or attachments, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information. This is Money has uncovered several cases where holidaymakers have lost significant sums due to these scams. One victim, after receiving a fraudulent email that mimicked Booking.com, unknowingly transferred £3,138 to a scammer. Fortunately, after intervention from This is Money, she was reimbursed. However, she later learned that her credit card details had been compromised, underscoring the risks associated with these scams. In response to the rising threat, Booking.com is enhancing its communication with partners and customers, providing educational resources and cybersecurity advice. The company expressed regret over the experiences of affected customers and is actively working to ensure they are not financially impacted by these fraudulent schemes.