Phishing Scam On Booking.com Costs Uk Traveler Over One Thousand Eight Hundred Euros– How To Protect Yourself

Published on October 14, 2025

A caller phishing scam has near a British holidaymaker, Steve Alderson from Newbury, Berkshire, retired of pouch by complete €1,800 aft booking accommodation successful Portugal done nan online recreation level Booking.com. The incident, which was discovered only aft nan costs was made and nan booking unexpectedly cancelled, highlights nan expanding threat of online fraud wrong nan recreation industry.

Alderson, who useful successful IT, thought nan booking process seemed legitimate, pinch a connection from nan spot asking for payment. However, aft completing nan transaction via WhatsApp, he received a notification from Booking.com indicating that his preservation had been cancelled. This prompted Alderson to recognize that thing was wrong, but unfortunately, nan scam had already taken its toll.

A Familiar Scam connected a Trusted Platform

Booking.com, 1 of nan largest online recreation agencies, acknowledged that phishing attacks targeting users are not uncommon and assured nan nationalist that cybersecurity remains a apical privilege for nan company. However, nan level besides emphasized that customers should ever verify costs requests straight done nan charismatic tract aliases app to debar falling unfortunate to scams.

According to nan company, erstwhile a scam for illustration this happens, nan first measurement for victims is to raise a dispute pinch their bank. If that effort proves unsuccessful, Booking.com stated that it would support users pinch a refund, provided nan required documentation is submitted.

Alderson stated that he had reached retired to nan level for assistance but encountered difficulties. After sharing nan accommodation booking reference, he reported that nan telephone was abruptly disconnected. Despite contacting Booking.com twice, Alderson has yet to person a satisfactory consequence and is now pursuing nan rumor pinch his bank.

Understanding How nan Scam Works

This type of phishing scam typically useful by manipulating a trusted connection method. In Alderson’s case, nan scammer utilized nan morganatic Booking.com platform to initiate nan booking. After Alderson made nan reservation, he was redirected to WhatsApp, wherever he made nan payment.

Cybersecurity master Rafe Pilling from Sophos explained that galore hotels initially autumn unfortunate to phishing attacks erstwhile cybercriminals impersonate edifice unit aliases usage malware to bargain login credentials from edifice systems. This allows them to entree morganatic platforms for illustration Booking.com and scope retired to customers arsenic though they were nan hotel, asking for payments aliases individual information.

Pilling besides warned that these scams often create a consciousness of urgency, prompting victims to enactment quickly. This affectional trigger causes galore travelers to salary up without double-checking nan legitimacy of nan request.

Booking.com’s Advice to Prevent Phishing

In consequence to nan rising phishing incidents, Booking.com has reiterated its argumentation that nan level will ne'er inquire customers to supply costs accusation via email, text messages, aliases phone. The institution advises travelers to ever cheque nan payment argumentation details successful their booking confirmation to guarantee immoderate connection is legitimate.

The institution stressed that payment details should only beryllium shared done nan Booking.com website aliases app. If you ever person a suspicious request, it is recommended to contact customer work directly via nan platform’s charismatic channels.

The Business Impact of Phishing Scams

For business travelers, phishing scams correspond a superior risk, not only for individual finances but besides for firm data. While Booking.com is simply a trusted level for booking accommodation, companies should punctual labor to ever verify booking confirmations and costs requests, particularly if they impact non-secure platforms for illustration WhatsApp aliases unfamiliar email addresses.

For tourists, scams for illustration this tin move an breathtaking travel into a financial nightmare. Travelers request to beryllium other cautious erstwhile booking done third-party platforms, particularly if nan booking involves unfamiliar methods of payment. Ensuring that payments are only made done charismatic websites tin greatly trim nan chances of falling unfortunate to fraud.

Quick Tips for Avoiding Phishing Scams

1. Use Secure Platforms: Only make payments done trusted websites for illustration Booking.com and debar outer costs links.
2. Verify Payment Requests: If a spot aliases booking tract asks for a costs done WhatsApp aliases email, interaction nan level straight to corroborate its legitimacy.
3. Look for Red Flags: Be wary of immoderate urgent requests for money aliases different costs methods. Scammers often create a consciousness of urgency to unit you into paying.
4. Contact Customer Service: If you are unsure astir nan legitimacy of a costs request, contact Booking.com customer service aliases nan accommodation supplier directly.
5. Check Booking Confirmation: Always double-check costs policies and booking confirmation specifications to guarantee nan petition matches nan position agreed upon.

Key Takeaways

• Phishing Scams: The emergence of phishing scams targeting travelers done platforms for illustration Booking.com highlights nan increasing risks for holidaymakers.
• Booking.com Response: The level is moving to reside these issues but advises travelers to usage be aware and corroborate costs requests straight done nan charismatic website aliases app.
• Business and Tourism Risks: Phishing scams airs a threat to some business and leisure travelers, making it basal to stay vigilant and return preventive measures.
• Refund Process: If you’ve fallen unfortunate to a scam, instantly raise a conflict pinch your slope and interaction nan level for a refund erstwhile you person nan required documentation.