Reservation Hijacking Scams Target Travelers. Here’s How to Stay Safe.

The hotel staffer who calls you with an urgent request for payment isn’t necessarily who they say they are.

What is Reservation Hijacking?

Reservation hijacking is a type of scam where a fraudster poses as a hotel staff member and contacts a traveler with an urgent request for payment. This can happen via phone, email, or even in-person at the hotel.

How Reservation Hijacking Scams Work

The scammer will typically claim that there is an issue with the traveler’s reservation, such as a problem with the payment or a change in the room type. They may ask the traveler to provide sensitive information, such as their credit card details or personal identification number (PIN).

Red Flags to Watch Out for

There are several red flags to watch out for when dealing with a reservation hijacking scam:

• The caller is pushy or aggressive.
• The caller is unwilling to provide proof of their identity or their affiliation with the hotel.
• The caller is asking for sensitive information, such as credit card details or a PIN.
• The caller is using high-pressure tactics to get the traveler to make a payment.

How to Stay Safe

There are several steps that travelers can take to stay safe from reservation hijacking scams:

• Verify the identity of the caller by asking for their name, title, and hotel affiliation.
• Do not provide sensitive information, such as credit card details or a PIN.
• Do not make a payment over the phone or via email.
• Instead, contact the hotel directly using a phone number you know is legitimate.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve been scammed by a reservation hijacking scam, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Report the scam to the hotel and the relevant authorities.
• Monitor your credit card statement for any suspicious activity.
• Consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

For more information on how to stay safe while traveling, check out our article on Travel Safety Tips.

For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, check out the FTC’s Scam Page.