A recent data breach at Booking.com has brought the risk of 'reservation hijacking' scams to light. Scammers can gather enough information about your booking to convince you they are legitimate representatives from hotels or airlines, tricking you into making payments that go straight to them. Keep your guard up and avoid sharing sensitive details over phone or text until you’ve verified their identity.

The scammers will often use email, text messages, or even phone calls to create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to pay quickly to secure your reservation. Always double-check the authenticity by reaching out to official channels and be wary of any requests for payment via bank transfer or credit card details that differ from what’s in your booking.

Security is key: use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available. Awareness is your best defence against these types of scams, so stay alert and don’t rush into anything that seems out of the ordinary.