Scammers use hotel booking details to offer fake refunds

Fraudsters are sending emails and WhatsApp messages claiming that hotel service fees were charged twice and will be refunded, ORF Steiermark reports. The Styria Chamber of Labour’s consumer protection department warns recipients not to click any links and to report suspected scams to police.

Bettina Schrittwieser of the department said the messages can be difficult to spot because they may refer to a hotel a person really booked or stayed at. She said scammers hack into hotels or booking platforms to steal genuine reservation details.

Recipients should check all the information carefully, including the sender’s email address, which may contain small discrepancies. Fake messages may include an alleged booking confirmation and a link to open it. Anyone unsure whether a message is genuine should contact the hotel or booking platform directly, Schrittwieser said.

She also urged people to report the fraud to police so authorities can investigate and help prevent further cases.