started · updated
Booking.com phishing scam exploits real reservation data to steal travelers' money
Hackers have breached hotel partner accounts on the Booking.com platform to obtain authentic guest information, including names, travel dates and phone numbers. Using this data, they contact travelers via Booking.com’s internal chat, WhatsApp or SMS, posing as hotel staff and claiming that a reservation has failed or will be cancelled.
The messages are timed shortly before the trip and ask the victims to verify credit‑card details or make an urgent payment on a fraudulent site. Those who comply lose the requested funds. Booking.com has confirmed the breach and said it is taking remedial actions. The fraud has been reported in Germany, Romania and Italy, prompting warnings from consumer‑protection agencies and security experts across Europe.
Entities
Booking.com · Hackers · Hotel partners · Predrag Vuckovic · travelers
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Phishing messages are sent shortly before the travel date, increasing credibility. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Booking.com has acknowledged the security breach and is taking remedial action. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com · www.suedtirolnews.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hackers compromised hotel partner accounts on Booking.com to obtain guest data. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Victims are asked to verify credit‑card details or make urgent payments, resulting in theft of funds. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The stolen data includes names, travel dates, and phone numbers of guests. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Criminals contact travelers via Booking.com chat, WhatsApp, or SMS, pretending to be hotel staff. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The fraud has been reported in Germany and Romania. www.romaniatv.net · borncity.com · www.go4it.ro · ap-verlag.de