Cybercriminals take advantage of the popularity of the accommodation booking site to carry out their scams. ESET reviews the most common scams and how to prevent them.
Booking has become a popular platform for travelers to search for accommodation offers, car rentals, and air tickets. With over 1 billion operations recorded in 2023, the site has also attracted the attention of cybercriminals, who use its popularity to carry out various scams.
ESET, a company specializing in detecting digital threats, highlighted some of the most common scams on Booking and how users can protect themselves. One of the common techniques used by cybercriminals is phishing emails, where they impersonate reputable entities to trick victims into making payments to the attacker’s account.
Another scam involves chat hacking, where cybercriminals contact users directly via chat after compromising the security of the establishments where the reservation was made. They impersonate the hotel and ask for payment confirmation, leading to financial losses for victims.
One of the most deceptive scams is the non-existent accommodation scheme, where cybercriminals create fake ads for luxurious accommodations that do not exist. When the victim arrives at the destination, they realize they have been scammed.
To prevent falling victim to these scams, ESET recommends checking references on the platform, reading reviews from other users, and being cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. Booking also advises users to verify information on the official website and be wary of phishing attempts.
By staying vigilant and following best practices, users can reduce the risk of becoming victims of cyber scams on popular booking platforms like Booking. Booking reassures users that its backend systems have not been compromised and urges them to report any suspicious activity to prevent fraud.