Booking attributes Madrid accommodation scam to advertiser hack

Booking has addressed a fraud incident in Madrid where customers were scammed into booking non-existent accommodations in the Retiro district. The company stated the issue stemmed from a hack affecting one of its advertisers rather than a breach of its own core systems.

According to the platform, hackers likely gained access to user information by compromising an advertiser's account, allowing them to contact customers via email or phone with fraudulent details. While the company noted it had detected the issue several days prior, the false advertisement remained on the site until Wednesday. Booking reported that affected users have been provided with alternatives and reallocated.