Beware: Booking.com Customers Fall Victim to Hotel Booking Scam

Scammers are targeting customers of hotels listed on Booking.com by hijacking hotel accounts and sending fraudulent emails or in-app messages requesting payment details for upcoming stays. The scammers use malicious URLs to collect payment card information and withdraw money from victims' accounts. This hotel booking scam involves a series of interactions, often involving requests for specific favors or addressing health conditions, to establish trust and bypass rational scrutiny. The scam has been ongoing for some time, with reports of losses and victims sharing their experiences. Organizations in the hospitality and travel industry are advised to implement multi-factor authentication, educate employees about social engineering campaigns, and double-check URLs before opening them. Individual customers should be cautious of requests for payment details, even if they appear to come from legitimate Booking.com accounts.