The autumn holidays are just around the corner - and many people are using booking platforms to reserve hotels. It's important to #watchout: Fraudsters could try to obtain credit card details via the chat function of the respective apps.
18.09.2025 –This is how the phishing attempt works:
- Anyone who has booked a hotel through a booking platform receives what appears to be a message from the hotel in the app’s chat. The claim: A standard credit card check is necessary. Users are asked to re-enter their credit card details as quickly as possible via a link.
- Anyone following the link ends up on a fake website outside the booking platform. If you enter the data there, it falls directly into the hands of the criminals.
- Particularly insidious: The attempted fraud is difficult to recognise as the messages are sent via the app's official chat.
- The problem: Criminals have gained access to the hotel's internal management system and have then sent fraudulent messages in its name via the platform chat.
This is how you can protect yourself:
- Always be cautious of payment requests through external links – even if they originate from the chat function on a booking platform.
- Do not enter any credit card details or personal information outside the account.
- If in doubt, call the hotel directly and ask.
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