By Isle of Wight Observer
As Islanders’ thoughts turn to getting away from January gloom, Hampshire & IW Police are warning Booking.com users to be vigilant after a wave of fraudulent activity targeting the platform.
Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports of scams involving compromised hotel accounts on the website, with £370,000 of losses.
The fraudsters gain access to Booking.com accounts belonging to legitimate hotels or accommodation providers. Using these accounts, they then send messages via Booking.com’s platform, emails, or even via WhatsApp, prompting unsuspecting customers to share payment details or transfer funds.
Adam Mercer, deputy head of Action Fraud, advises anyone using Booking.com to be cautious. “If you receive an unexpected request for bank or credit card details from a hotel’s account you booked with, it could be a fraudster attempting to steal your money. Confirm communications by contacting Booking.com or the hotel directly.”
No legitimate Booking.com transaction will ask you to provide payment details via email, text, or WhatsApp, and customers are encouraged to double-check urgent payment requests and verify any request for funds. For added protection, users are urged to reference Booking.com’s official safety guide for travellers.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards officers have also warned about a very unpleasant scam text doing the rounds. It preys on vulnerable people and tells you to click on a link to claim a winter heating subsidy – this is a scam; do not click on links in texts.
They also remind Islanders to be cautious about calls around solar energy, alleged problems with your system or an out-of-date warranty. If you are at all concerned about how your solar panels are performing, they strongly advise contacting the installer or a local known trader. The Footprint Trust are also able to advise or signpost for any queries. You can contact them on 01983 822282.
Please remember that, even if a call appears to come from a 01983 number, it could still be fraudulent. Suspicious emails can be reported to report@phishing.gov.uk, while fraudulent text messages should be forwarded to 7726.