The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported a surge in scam reports involving prominent travel booking website Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG).com, with Australians losing more than $337,000 in 2023 – a staggering 600% increase on the previous year.
Criminals have been infiltrating the accounts of accommodation providers on Booking.com to impersonate them and defraud guests.
600% increase in scams
In 2023, Scamwatch, a program run by the ACCC, received 363 reports citing Booking.com. By contrast, it recorded 53 such reports in 2022.
This scam trend is a stark reminder to be vigilant when providing personal details online.
One Queenslander recounted to ABC News her experience of being misled by a message through Booking.com from a hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye.
She was duped into providing credit card details through a link that appeared legitimate, and this led to unauthorised transactions amounting to around $25,000. Her bank later refunded these amounts.
Booking.com acknowledged the issue, saying that phishing emails targeted its accommodation partners, leading to fraudulent communication with guests and scam transactions.
The company emphasised that its core systems remained secure and that the incidents affected only a fraction of its partners. It has implemented new measures and alerts to protect customers and partners.
Advice for consumers
The ACCC advises Booking.com users to independently verify emails or messages requesting personal or banking information.
Key precautions include contacting accommodation providers directly via official phone numbers and avoiding sharing credit card details over email or messaging platforms.
The ACCC's guidance underscores the importance of thorough verification of any communications related to travel bookings, even if they are conducted through a trusted site.