Italy alerts consumers to travel booking scams and phishing fraud

Consumer organisations in Italy warn that travelers are being targeted by sophisticated booking‑related scams. Fraudulent messages, often sent via WhatsApp, SMS or email, can contain real reservation details such as hotel name, dates and booking number, making them appear authentic. Recipients are urged to verify any payment request through the official app or website, check the reservation status, and contact the hotel directly rather than following links in the message. The advice also includes avoiding sharing card details or installing unsolicited apps.

At the same time, the consumer group Altroconsumo reported 3,272 online fraud notifications, with roughly two‑thirds involving phishing or smishing attempts. The data, gathered through the “Segnala la truffa” platform under the Digitalizzati project funded by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, underscores the prevalence of digital fraud across payment services and e‑commerce. The initiative provides education, quizzes, podcasts and school outreach to improve digital literacy, especially among youths and seniors, aiming to reduce the impact of such scams nationwide.