National Cyber Directorate Warns of Sophisticated Booking.com Phishing Scams

Israel's National Cyber Directorate has issued a warning regarding a sophisticated phishing scam targeting users who book hotels through Booking.com. The scam involves sending fraudulent messages, often via email or text, that appear to be legitimate confirmations or requests for action related to a hotel reservation. These messages frequently include real details about the booking, such as stay dates and reservation numbers, making them seem highly credible and potentially tricking even cautious users into believing they are from Booking.com or the hotel itself.

The fraudulent messages prompt recipients to click a link to "confirm" their reservation. The Cyber Directorate strongly advises against clicking these links. Instead, users should independently access the official Booking.com app or website by typing the address directly into their browser to verify any necessary actions.

If a user has already clicked the link and entered payment card details, they are urged to immediately contact their credit card company to report the incident. Reporting the scam to the National Cyber Directorate's hotline at 119 is also recommended. The directorate emphasizes that even messages with seemingly accurate and complete booking information are not a guarantee of authenticity, and direct verification through Booking.com is the only secure method.