Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
What are the warning signs of a potential hotel booking scam?
Reports of an escalating number of fraud incidents connected to Booking.com, causing significant losses among Australian travellers, have emerged. The Scamwatch platform, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), reported an alarming rise of 585%.
This incipient trend came into the limelight through various victims recounting their experiences. The typical modus operandi involved fraudsters masquerading as hotel staff and approaching victims via Booking.com, requesting credentials for payment validation linked to an impending stay. A case study resulted in an approximate loss of $25,000 from a single victim’s credit card.
Despite the real hotel staff’s attempts to reach the impacted traveller, the fraudulent activity had been completed. The unfortunate incident revealed that their Booking.com system had been compromised by fraudsters, and even though the hotel staff could see the scam unfolding, intervention was impossible due to the breached system.
In response to these rising concerns, Booking.com published a note acknowledging the numerous phishing attempts aimed at their partners. The strategy involved using malware tools to infiltrate local computer systems, allowing unauthorized access to Booking.com accounts. Upon gaining access, the fraudsters could feign being property owners and establish contact with prospective customers via email or direct messages.
Booking.com offered assurances that its backend infrastructure remained uncompromised, with incidents involving compromised accommodations proving to be a small fraction of the overall platform listings.
As a response to the mounting risks, Booking.com has introduced additional precautions and issued alerts to protect its clientele and associates. The firm strongly encourages customers to verify the payment policy listed on booked properties and confirm booking details, particularly if suspected payment requests are received. They also advise reporting any unusual interactions to their service team or by selecting ‘report an issue’ within the chat function. Customers are urged not to disclose sensitive information like credit card numbers via email, chats, or phone calls.
Meanwhile, the ACCC has shared some preventive steps for Booking.com users:
- Independently validate any email asking to sign in or enter personal or financial details.
- Reach out to the organization via a personally obtained number instead of using one included in a suspicious message.
- Utilize the official app to access accounts and confirm messages safely. Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Remember that Booking.com representatives will never ask for account passwords or credit card information via phone.
Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
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Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
Spike in Hotel Booking Scams
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