Booking.com Scams: How to Spot & Avoid

Booked a holiday with popular digital travel platform, Booking.com, and spotted some suspicious communications? You may be at risk of being scammed…

In fact, over the last couple of years, Booking.com scams have been on the rise – the BBC reported in 2024 that there had been up to a 900% rise in travel scams, with many criminals impersonating Booking.com.  

That’s why knowing the signs and understanding how to prevent falling for a Booking.com scam is crucial. 

Our guide will break down the red flags to look out for, reporting Booking.com scams and, if you’ve fallen victim and lost money, how to access legal support to seek justice. 

What’s a Booking.com Scam?

A Booking.com scam could involve fraudsters posing as Booking.com, or as a hotel or accommodation provider you’ve booked with, and asking you to re-enter your payment details. 

They may claim your card has been declined, or trick you into sending money via bank transfer to “secure” your reservation.

It’s thought that hackers could be employing phishing strategies against accommodation providers and then using the details to contact their customers. This then poses a very realistic scam attempt, as the scammers would have access to all the correct information about your stay and your personal details. 

What Are the Laws on Booking.com Scams in the UK?

Scams that impersonate Booking.com – whether through fake emails, texts, pop-up ads or even fraudulent messages sent via the Booking.com platform – are treated as a serious offence under UK law, including names, emails, and even rooms and package information.

Most Booking.com scams fall under the Fraud Act 2006, which makes it an offence to commit fraud by false representation. Some scams may also breach the Computer Misuse Act 1990, particularly if fake links or downloads are used to install malicious software onto your device. Additionally, if scammers unlawfully harvest your personal details, the Data Protection Act 2018 may apply.

The repercussions for those convicted of running these scams can be severe, including heavy fines and, in some cases, even imprisonment.

However, while the law is strict, recovering money lost through Booking.com scams can often be challenging. That’s why many victims seek guidance from specialist fraud recovery solicitors, who can help you navigate the process, protect your rights and give you the best possible chance of recovering your losses.

Tips for Recognising Booking.com Scams

So, what are the biggest red flags to watch out for to avoid falling for a Booking.com scam? 

Firstly, let’s start with the most common tactics – familiarising yourself with these can put you at a huge advantage, so you’re always one step ahead of them:

Most Common Booking.com Scam Tactics:

1. Fake payment requests

Scammers could contact you (often via email, text or even within the Booking.com platform itself) claiming you need to re-enter your card details or complete payment to “secure your reservation”. 

2. “Card declined” messages

Fraudsters send messages saying your original payment didn’t go through and ask you to pay again using a new link. This link would then take you to a fake website used to harvest your personal details.

3. Phishing emails disguised as Booking.com

This is a very common type of scam, which involves receiving emails that look official but contain links to fake login pages designed to trick you into sharing your account details. These emails may include brand logos and look similar to Booking.com communications, but there are small subtleties to distinguish them (we’ll cover this below). 

4. WhatsApp or SMS follow-ups 

These can be messages claiming to be from your hotel or Booking.com, urging you to confirm your booking or make a payment through an unofficial channel. However, Booking.com would never operate through WhatsApp or SMS.

5. Fake booking confirmations

Emails or texts that look like genuine booking confirmations could actually lead to fraudulent websites when you click through, which are then used to collect your personal details. 

6. Requests for bank transfers

Scammers posing as property owners or Booking.com representatives could ask you to pay by direct bank transfer rather than through the secure Booking.com system. This is a big flag when it comes to spotting scammers.

7. Account takeover scams

In some cases, criminals may gain access to a hotel or user’s Booking.com account and send fraudulent messages directly from within the platform. The legitimacy of receiving messages from inside the platform itself makes the scam appear much more convincing, so keep an eye out for any suspicious or threatening language (we’ll cover this more below, too).

8. Fake customer support

Fraudsters can also set up fake Booking.com “support” phone numbers or chat services, which then trick you into sharing sensitive information or making payments.

Common Signs of Booking.com Scams

Scammers know how to make their fake emails seem legitimate, and will likely closely mimic official Booking.com communications. 

They could include screenshots of logos, brand colours and even email addresses that appear to be sent from the Booking.com platform or accommodation providers themselves. 

But how do you distinguish a fake Booking.com message from legitimate communications? Well, even scammers make mistakes…

• Language: Messages like “your booking will be cancelled unless you act immediately” or “your card has been declined, re-enter details now” are designed to make you panic and then hand over information quickly. You should also, be on the lookout for poor grammar and spelling, especially if combined with an inconsistent tone you wouldn’t expect from Booking.com (e.g. too casual or aggressive).

• Suspicious sender address: If you receive an email, check the sender address carefully. Even small changes – such as “booklng.com” or “info@s.booking.com” – are giveaways that it’s fraudulent.

• Mismatched branding: Look out for logos, colours or layouts that don’t match official Booking.com pages or confirmation emails. Scams may also use formatting that looks unprofessional or poorly designed.

• Fake payment links: Fraudsters can often send you to third-party sites to “confirm” or “re-enter” card details, whereas genuine Booking.com payments are always handled securely within the platform itself.

• Unusual requests for bank transfers: If you’re asked to pay directly to a bank account outside of the Booking.com system, it’s almost certainly a scam – so be wary of this.

• WhatsApp or SMS follow-ups: Scammers sometimes message guests claiming to be from their hotel or Booking.com, asking for payment or extra details, which Booking.com would never do.

• Unverified social accounts: Fraudsters may create “Booking.com customer service” pages or adverts on social media platforms to trick users into clicking on fraudulent links. Always check for verification badges and avoid contacting Booking.com through unofficial accounts.

Want to know more about how to spot a fake phishing email? Our dedicated guide can help.

Being able to spot a Booking.com scam is one of the best ways to stay safe when booking travel online. If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts. Close the message, ignore the link and contact Booking.com directly through their official website or app.

What Booking.com Will Never Do

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from Booking.com scams is to know how the genuine company operates and, importantly, what they will never ask you to do. 

Booking.com will never:

• Contact you through WhatsApp, SMS or personal messaging apps to request payment or personal details

• Ask you to pay for a reservation by direct bank transfer or to a personal account outside of the Booking.com platform

• Request that you share your card details, passwords or login information by email or over the phone

• Send you to a third-party website to complete or confirm payment – all payments are processed securely within Booking.com’s official platform

• Pressure you with urgency language and threats, such as “your booking will be cancelled immediately unless you act now”

Reporting Booking.com Scams

If you come across suspicious communications or targeting from “Booking.com”, you should report it directly to Booking.com – the legitimate business. 

Booking.com have a security form you can fill in if you suspect any malicious activity is occurring, or you’ve received fake communications from impostors. Once the details have been provided, their security experts will be able to determine if it’s a fake and, if so, they’ll retrieve the source and shut it down as quickly as possible.

As well as reporting the scam, they also recommend that you should:

• Run an anti-virus and anti-malware program on your computer or network

• Clear the cookies in your browser

• Reset the password on your email account

• Review any changes in your account, such as contact details or financial information

You can also notify the UK government about scams and phishing attempts. GOV.UK provides clear instructions for forwarding suspicious emails or text messages, as well as information about how to report misleading advertisements or online fraud.

By taking the time to report scams, you’re not only helping authorities track and investigate fraudsters, but you can also prevent others from becoming victims of scams.

I’ve Been Scammed by a Booking.com Scam – What Do I Do?

If you’ve fallen victim to a Booking.com scam – whether through a fake email, a fraudulent message via the Booking.com platform, a convincing advert or even a text requesting payment – there are steps you can take to protect yourself and increase your chances of recovering your money.

1. Document the scam

As soon as you realise you’ve been targeted by a scammer imitating Booking.com, record as many details as possible.

Take screenshots of the message or website, whether it was a fake booking confirmation, a notification that your card was declined or a request for payment to “secure your reservation.” Save any email headers, URLs, account details or phone numbers involved.

If you entered personal or financial information, make a note of exactly what you provided. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be for investigations and potential claims.

2. Reporting the scam

Before taking further steps, make sure you’ve officially reported the scam to:

• Booking.com directly: Report the security issue to Booking.com itself through this page, so their security team can investigate and block the scam.

• Hotel or accommodation provider: You should also directly contact your accommodation provider using trusted details to alert them about the scam, and confirm it wasn’t them who contacted you.

• Your email provider: If the scam arrived via email, flag it as phishing in Gmail, Outlook, or your provider’s reporting system.

• Your bank: If you shared financial information or sent money, notify your bank immediately. They may be able to stop transactions, block your card or monitor your account for unusual activity.

• The authorities: In England and Wales, report the scam to Action Fraud, the UK’s national centre for reporting cybercrime and fraud. You’ll receive a police crime reference number, which may be needed for recovery or legal claims.

3. Secure your accounts

If you entered login details or shared information, act quickly to limit the damage.

Change your Booking.com password (and any other accounts where you used the same password) as quickly as possible. Enable two-factor authentication if possible and check your account for any unauthorised bookings or changes.

Fast action can help reduce the risk of further fraud and contain the damage that’s been done as a result.

Making a Claim Against a Booking.com Scam

Once you’ve documented the scam and secured your accounts, the next step is to consider whether to pursue legal action.

The claims process usually takes two main routes:

• Civil claims: If you’ve suffered financial loss, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the fraudster to recover your money. In successful cases, this can result in compensation.

• Criminal investigations: For more serious scams, the police or cybercrime units may pursue the perpetrators. While this won’t usually lead to direct compensation, it can help prevent other victims from being targeted.

The reality is that scammers impersonating Booking.com often hide behind fake identities, use overseas networks and change contact details frequently, making them difficult to trace. Because of this, legal action can be complex, so it’s important to manage your expectations of the outcome from the beginning.

Choosing CEL Solicitors for Booking.com Scam Claims

Choosing to book your holiday with a digital travel provider, like Booking.com, is supposed to be a seamless, exciting experience – so, being scammed out of money instead (in most cases, a significant amount, too) can be emotionally and financially distressing. 

That’s why having the right legal support by your side can make all the difference. 

Here at CEL Solicitors, our team specialise in fraud and scam recovery with a strong track record of recovering millions for clients.

We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee promise, meaning you won’t need to pay anything up front – giving you access to expert legal help you deserve without financial worry.

Our expert consultation is completely free – we’ll listen, review your situation carefully and provide clear advice on your next steps.

Ready to pursue your Booking.com scam claim? Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 0333 305 4982 for the support you deserve.