Holiday planning can be an exciting time, but it’s essential to remain vigilant when booking your next trip. A recent Action Fraud alert has highlighted an increase in scams targeting users of Booking.com, with fraudsters attempting to steal personal and financial information. With travel bookings surging in the new year, understanding how these scams work and how to protect yourself is vital for ensuring your holiday doesn’t turn into a financial nightmare.

How the Booking.com Scam Works

Fraudsters are exploiting Booking.com’s popularity by targeting users with phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls. These communications often claim to be from Booking.com or the hotel you’ve booked with, asking for additional payment details or personal information to "confirm" your reservation.

The scammers often make their messages appear legitimate, using Booking.com’s branding or referencing real booking information. In some cases, they gain access to hotel reservation systems to obtain customer details, which they use to make their scams more convincing. Victims who respond to these messages or provide sensitive information risk losing money, having their data stolen, or falling victim to further scams.

How to Spot a Booking Scam

These scams can be highly sophisticated, but there are warning signs to look out for:

• Unexpected Contact: Be wary of unsolicited messages or calls claiming to be from Booking.com or your hotel. Booking.com does not typically request additional payment or personal details via email or phone.

• Urgency or Pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, such as threatening to cancel your booking if you don’t act quickly. Genuine companies won’t pressure you into making hasty decisions.

• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Phishing emails may include links that direct you to fake websites designed to steal your information. Always check the URL carefully or go directly to the Booking.com website to verify your reservation.

• Unusual Payment Requests: Booking.com processes payments securely through its platform and does not ask for direct bank transfers or card details outside the system.

Steps to Protect Yourself When Booking Online

To safeguard your information and enjoy peace of mind when booking your next trip, follow these tips:

1. Verify Communications: If you receive a message claiming to be from Booking.com or your hotel, contact them directly using the contact details provided on the official website. Do not reply to suspicious emails or click on links.

2. Keep Conversations on the Platform: Use Booking.com’s secure messaging system to communicate with hotels and avoid sharing personal details outside the platform.

3. Use Secure Payment Methods: Make payments only through trusted platforms like Booking.com, which have secure payment systems in place. Avoid bank transfers or other methods that don’t offer fraud protection.

4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If available, use two-factor authentication on your Booking.com account for an added layer of security.

5. Monitor Your Bank Statements: Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorised transactions, especially after making online bookings.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a Booking.com scam, take immediate action:

• Do Not Provide Information: If contacted, do not share any personal or financial details.

• Report the Incident: Report suspicious messages to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Forward phishing emails to phishing@booking.com for investigation.

• Secure Your Accounts: Change your Booking.com account password immediately and ensure it’s strong and unique. If you’ve reused the password elsewhere, update those accounts as well.

• Contact Your Bank: If you’ve provided payment details, inform your bank or credit card provider immediately to block unauthorised transactions and secure your accounts.

The rise in online booking scams underscores the importance of staying alert and informed when making travel arrangements. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but with the right precautions, you can protect your personal information and enjoy a stress-free holiday planning experience.