Booking.com users targeted by fraudulent payment alerts

Scammers are exploiting the credibility of Booking.com by sending messages that appear to come from hotels, claiming that a payment has failed or that a reservation will be cancelled unless the traveler acts within a short time frame. The messages often include urgent language such as “Betaal binnen twaalf uur” (“Pay within 12 hours”) and direct the recipient to a counterfeit website where credit‑card or banking details are harvested.

The fraudsters typically gain access to hotel accounts through phishing or stolen login credentials, allowing them to retrieve genuine reservation information and make the fake notices look authentic. Victims are advised to ignore any unsolicited payment requests, verify bookings only through the official Booking.com app or website, and contact their bank immediately if they suspect their payment details have been compromised. Reporting the incident to Booking.com and local authorities can help limit further abuse.