Brits planning their summer holidays have been sent a warning by police chiefs over a popular website. Holidaymakers have lost hundreds of pounds after using Booking.com.
Fraud officers said customers who used the website had been targeted by emails or messages requesting payments from hotels who had their accounts hijacked by scammers. Over 500 customers lost a total of £370,000 between June 2023 and September 2024 and £695 on average.
Action Fraud suggests individuals were defrauded after receiving unexpected messages and emails from a Booking.com account belonging to a hotel they had a reservation with, which had been taken over by a criminal. Crooks send in-app messages, emails, and WhatsApp messages to customers, deceiving them into making payment and/or requesting credit card details.
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Holidaymakers planning 2025 getaways have been sent the warning by Action Fraud and City of London Police. It comes as Brits will be hunting for summer bargains during the winter months.
Adam Mercer, deputy head of Action Fraud, said: “With more than 500 reports made to Action Fraud, those who have booked a holiday on the Booking.com platform should stay alert to any unexpected emails or messages from a hotel using the Booking.com platform, as their account could have been taken over by a criminal. If you receive an unexpected request from a hotel’s account you booked with using Booking.com, asking for bank details or credit card details, it could be a fraudster trying to trick you into parting ways with your money.
“Contact Booking.com or the organisation directly if you’re unsure. Remember to report any suspicious emails by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk, or if you receive a fraudulent text message, you can forward it to 7726.”