Trading Sandards - Holiday Booking Scams

17th January 2025

Action Fraud have recently warned customers using the Booking.com platform to be wary of unusual messages or phishing emails from hotel accounts.

Several hotels have had their accounts on the platform taken over by scammers, who are messaging customers with reservations to ask for additional payments or credit card details.

How to Avoid
Booking.com has confirmed that no legitimate transaction on their platform will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message (including WhatsApp).

Sometimes a hotel provider will manage their own payment and may request payment information or card details - before providing any information, always verify the authenticity of communication between yourself and the hotel's account.

If you receive any urgent payment requests that require immediate attention, such as a booking cancellation, confirm them by contacting the Booking.com Customer Service team via the details on their official website or app.

Be wary of any messages purporting to be from Booking.com that contain instructions to follow links or download files.

If you have any doubts about a message, contact Booking.com directly using the details from their official website. Don't use contact details provided in a suspicious message.

Find out more
Advice from Booking.com on avoidng scams: www.booking.com/trust-and-safety/travellers
ABTA advice on avoiding fraud: www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/how-avoid-travel-related-fraud
Advice Direct Scotland: information about your consumer rights in relation to travel: consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/#travel-and-transport
TSS website: www.tsscot.co.uk/holiday-scams
Original article: www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/booking-com-alert