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Monday 4 November 2024

How to stay a step ahead of travel cybercriminals

Over the past few weeks I have received a number of emails ostensibly from Booking.com.

I've had complaints about the standards of accommodation that I've provided to my guests.

I've had queries about local offerings that future guests should know about, and threats to shut down my business if I do not respond to various complaints.

I do not offer any accommodation, but the fact I write about travel appears to have attracted the eye of various scammers (all with dodgy email addresses) urging me to click on a link so my problems can be resolved.

Just another scam for the unwary to watch out for.

Cybercriminals are sharpening their tactics to exploit unsuspecting consumers with a rise in various ranges of fraudulent activity prompting the travel industry to examine online safety measures.

Booking.com, a leader in travel and accommodation services and the company my pesky correspondents pretend to represent, has stepped up to offer essential advice to travellers on how to stay vigilant and protect their personal information in an era of rampant online bastardry. 

Recent data from the Identity Theft Resource Centre shows data breaches increased by 14% year-over-year during the first half of 2024.

With an estimated 3.4 billion phishing emails circulating daily, the digital landscape is more dangerous than ever.

Cybercriminals are leveraging increasingly sophisticated methods, including social engineering, phishing scams, and fake booking sites, to trick consumers into revealing personal or financial information.

To help combat the growing risk of cyber fraud in the travel sector, Booking.com has shared safety tips that travellers should consider before hitting the “book now” button.

It is crucial to ensure that any website where you share data is secure. Cybercriminals frequently exploit trust, pretending to represent reputable organizations or individuals to deceive their victims.

The key to avoiding such attacks is maintaining a sceptical mindset. If you receive unsolicited requests for personal or financial information, avoid clicking on links or opening attachments. Instead, contact the organisation or individual directly through official channels to verify the request.

There are a few common red flags to watch out for, including language demanding urgent action. Also look out for spelling or grammatical errors. And make sure email addresses match the official domain.

When booking accommodation online, it’s essential to scrutinise the payment and damage deposit policies. Scammers often create urgency by asking for large sums of money to be transferred within 24 hours to “secure” a booking. They may also request payments via third-party platforms, which is a significant red flag.

Be careful out there people. 

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