Traveling enthusiasts using Booking.com in Australia have reported an increasing number of phishing scams, with imposters posing as hotels and demanding money transfers for reservations. This revelation has sparked security concerns among users, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has urged customers to verify their information.
An Ingenious Scam Operation
The scam involves fraudsters sending messages that look legitimate through the Booking.com app’s messaging system. These deceptive messages ask users for ‘fund verification,’ prompting them to click a link and transfer money, even when their bookings were on a pay-on-arrival basis.
Catherine Wang, a resident of Sydney, narrowly escaped falling victim to this scam. She contacted her bank in time to cancel her credit card before the scammers could withdraw any money. However, despite her alerting Booking.com, she felt the company was dismissive of…
