Why am I getting WhatsApp scams with my real travel booking details?
Scammers are sending targeted WhatsApp messages containing exact reservation details like names, dates, and booking references shortly after users book through platforms like Booking.com or Hostelworld. This precise information tricks people into trusting the message and clicking links designed to steal credit card details.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Blocking and reporting the messaging account
- 2Reporting the phishing domain to the booking platform
- 3Contacting the property directly via official phone numbers to verify reservation status
- 4Refusing to enter credit card information outside the official booking platform
- 5Not filling out forms on external links provided in messages
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I made a villa reservation through Booking.com on Friday and 2 days later, at 05:29, I got a WhatsApp message from a WhatsApp Business account displaying the name "Awign.”source ↗
“Every detail in that message is correct - property, both dates, and my actual booking reference.”source ↗
“I booked a hostel through HostelWorld, and a few weeks later, I received the following WhatsApp message.”source ↗
“It is addressed to me by name, the name of the hostel and dates correspond to my reservation.”source ↗
“I did click on the link, and there is a field for credit card information, which I am not planning on giving outside of the Hostelworld platform or directly at the property.”source ↗
“I was curious if this is a normal thing that some hostels do, or if is definitely some form of scam. Anyone has experienced this?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 2Automated notification emails only show IDs instead of client names
- 3Buyer falsely claims item is fake to force a return