Fraud / Holiday scam alert: Bookings.com

booking

As we approach the summer holidays and lots of people are taking annual leave and may be using Bookings.com for their getaways, the Information Governance team would like to make our staff and volunteers aware of a recent scam that is circulating regarding the site.

The scammers breach the Booking.com account of accommodation providers, sending cleverly crafted messages to guests looking for credit card details. Travellers concerned not to lose bookings are easily persuaded to enter their details. 

Recent examples of this scam have re-directed people to a .su domain which had been registered 3 days previously. All accommodation providers on the site have been asked to take steps to ensure that their platform accounts are not compromised.

What should you do if you think you’ve been a victim of this scam or similar suspicious looking messages?

If you believe you’ve been exposed to an online scam involving Booking.com, it’s best to contact them as soon as you can. They are available to help 24/7, so go to booking.com/help on their website or access their help centre via the main menu in the Booking.com app. Remember, Booking.com will never ask you to enter your credit card or gift card number via email, text message or phone.

More information is available on the Booking.com website frequently asked questions section.

Published 2nd August 2023