More fraud committed via Booking.com; Average damage €854
Fraud via Booking.com is increasing in both the number of cases and the severity. Last year, the Fraud Helpdesk received 101 reports involving the booking site, including 34 cases in which money was stolen with an average loss of 854 euros per person. In 2023, there were 30 reports, including 13 cases with financial loss averaging at 484 euros per person, AD reports.
Most reports involved travelers who booked accommodation through Booking.com and then received a fake message from the platform asking for verification of payment or personal data. “But there are multiple variants in which the Booking.com name is misused,” a spokesperson for the Fraud Helpdesk told the newspaper. “Think of fake emails or fake advertisements on the Booking.com website, for example.”
Reporting fraud to the Fraud Helpdesk is not mandatory. So the actual number of cases is likely higher.
Last year, Booking.com told the BBC that fraud cases skyrocketed since the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). The technology makes it easy for criminals to mimic emails that are almost indistinguishable from real messages. In the 18 months preceding the BBC article, Booking.com detected between 500 and 900 percent more fraud cases than in the 18 months before that.
A spokesperson for the Dutch branch of Booking.com advised customers to be alert to unusual requests from a provider. “If a new property on our platform appears to be requesting to confirm a reservation or make a payment outside of Booking.com, we strongly advise customers not to provide any personal information. In these situations, customers should immediately contact our customer service team, who are available 24/7 to provide further support and take appropriate action.”
Booking.com investigates fraud reports but generally does not offer immediate refunds. Customers should also report fraud to their bank or credit card company. These financial institutions can often reverse payments, especially for unauthorized transactions, though the process can take weeks.
