Holiday time: Beware of phishing when making online bookings

Spring is here and many last-minute travellers are using online booking platforms to book a few relaxing days.

But be careful: Phishing traps can lie in wait within the internal chat of these digital travel agencies. It is not uncommon for a supposedly urgent message to appear shortly before departure. The booking is about to be cancelled if payment is not made immediately via a link sent with the booking. Anyone who complies with such a request is liable to lose a lot of money.

But how can such phishing attacks occur from within a booking platform? They usually take place when cyber criminals have hacked the booking system and target their victims from there.

Therefore be sure to make the following checks on every booking:

• Read every message carefully. Do the details correspond to the agreed conditions?
• If you are unsure, contact your accommodation directly.
• Do not click on links.
• Check payment requests carefully and always check the payee.
• Release payment confirmations only once you have verified the amount and the name of the merchant.