Planning a Trip? Here’s How a Payment Scam Could Hit You

You're all set for your holiday with bags packed, hotel booked, when suddenly you get a message claiming there’s an issue with your payment. It urges you to act fast or risk losing your reservation.

It looks legit, maybe even comes through the app platform itself, and in a panic, you hand over your card details. Sound familiar? You could be the latest victim of a sophisticated travel scam.

How Does the Travel Booking Scam Work?

This scam preys on travellers' urgency and trust in well-known platforms. Victims typically receive a message sometimes via WhatsApp, but often directly through the app or email saying there’s been a problem with payment. The message insists you need to verify or re-enter your card details immediately or risk cancellation of your booking. A deadline is often included to heighten panic.

What makes this scam particularly dangerous is that it often bypasses the usual red flags no strange email addresses or obvious fake links because hackers may have phished accommodation providers and are using their real Booking.com access to message guests.

Scammers Are Slipping Into the Booking.com System

Recently, a new scam has impacted travellers using Booking.com, one of the world’s most popular hotel booking platforms. This scam involves fraudsters posing as hotel representatives and sending fake messages often through what appears to be the official Booking.com app or email claiming there's an issue with your payment or booking.

The message typically urges you to act fast by clicking a link to re-enter or verify your credit card details, threatening that your reservation will be cancelled otherwise. What makes this scam especially dangerous is that it often comes from compromised hotel accounts, making it look legitimate and bypassing common red flags like odd email addresses or misspelt text.

Once your details are entered, the scammers swiftly charge your card, leaving you with financial loss and a disrupted holiday plan.

Real-World Impact of the Scam and Global Reach

In the UK alone, Action Fraud reported over 500 incidents between June 2023 and September 2024, with total losses exceeding £370,000. Victims typically lost several hundred pounds, and similar warnings have been issued in countries like Australia. The platform’s global nature means travelers from any country could be at risk.

What to Watch Out For while Booking for Travel Plans

Here are the most common red flags and tactics used in this scam:

• Messages claiming there’s a problem with your payment or card verification.
• Threats of booking cancellation within hours if no action is taken.
• Links asking for card details, often disguised to look like Booking.com pages.
• Fake pre-payment requests even when none were listed during booking.
• Emails with urgent language, odd grammar, or spelling mistakes.

How to Protect Yourself from Travel Booking Scam

To stay safe, Booking.com and cybersecurity experts advise the following:

• Don’t panic or rush to respond — first, verify the legitimacy of the message.
• Double-check the booking and payment policy listed on your confirmation email or the Booking.com app. If there’s no deposit required, don’t pay.
• Never click on external links to make payments. Always use the official app or website.
• Contact Booking.com customer support or the hotel directly to verify any unusual requests.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your Booking.com account for added security.
• If you’ve already entered your card details on a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately and consider blocking or replacing your card.

Read More: Karnataka Housing Scam: PMAY – Beneficiaries Left to Build Their Own Homes.

Conclusion

While Booking.com remains a trusted platform for millions of travellers worldwide, recent incidents highlight the importance of staying alert to potential scams even when using legitimate apps and services. By understanding how these scams work and taking a few simple precautions, you can better protect yourself and ensure your holiday plans stay on track. As with any online interaction involving payments or personal data, a moment of caution can go a long way.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.