Booking a hotel should be an exciting part of travel, but recently, more than 30 individuals have fallen victim to a hotel booking scam, losing a total of at least S$41,000. In an alarming trend, scammers are posing as hotel representatives, targeting customers who have made reservations through the popular online travel agency Booking.com. The police have observed a “resurgence” of these hotel-related phishing scams, which have been on the rise since the travel boom following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Rise of Hotel Booking Scams
Booking.com is a well-known platform for hotel reservations, alongside other giants like Agoda and Look. While scams involving hotel bookings have been reported worldwide in recent years, their frequency has increased significantly during the post-pandemic travel surge.
As early as February of this year, Singaporean police received reports of scams related to room reservations made through Booking.com, resulting in losses of at least S$8,800 within the first two months of 2023.
How the Scams Unfold
Victims of these scams typically make hotel room reservations on Booking.com. Subsequently, they receive emails or messages through the platform’s messaging feature. These messages are cleverly crafted by scammers impersonating hotel representatives from various establishments worldwide.
The scammers then ask victims to confirm and verify their reservations by clicking on an online link, which appears to be an official part of Booking.com’s communication. However, this link redirects victims to fraudulent websites, where they are prompted to enter sensitive personal and banking information. This information can range from one-time passwords to credit card numbers.
In some instances, victims are led to believe that making a payment is necessary to secure their reservations. It’s only after discovering unauthorized transactions on their bank accounts or credit cards that victims realize they’ve been scammed. This prompts them to contact either the hotels or Booking.com for assistance.
The Illusion of Authenticity
The scammers behind these phishing attempts have successfully mimicked hotel communications to appear genuine. Booking.com, in response to queries, clarified that their own systems and infrastructure have not been breached in any way. Instead, the security breach stemmed from some of their accommodation partners, whose accounts were targeted by phishing emails.
As these scams continue to evolve, it is crucial for travelers to be vigilant and cautious when receiving messages or emails from supposed hotel representatives. Verifying the authenticity of such messages through official channels, such as contacting the hotel directly through its official website or calling their official contact numbers, can help prevent falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
In an age where online bookings and communications are prevalent, travelers must stay alert and prioritize security to ensure their trips are filled with joy rather than disappointment and financial loss.
Also learn about Fake FairPrice and Sheng Siong Apps Scam: Victims Lose S$403k.
