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

there is another type Be aware of digital scams, according to the BBC. This is called “reservation kidnapping”.

The name gives you a clue as to how it works. Essentially, scammers use details about the booking you made (possibly with a hotel or airline) to send you money somewhere you shouldn’t.

Although this type of scam is not exactly new, the recent data breach at Booking.com has increased the risk of people getting caught. With data about you and your reservation, a more reliable setup can be established – why wouldn’t you believe that someone claiming to be an employee of the spa you made a reservation with is telling the truth about who they are, especially if they know your travel dates, your phone number, and your email address?

According to Booking.com, no financial information was exposed in the April 2026 hack. However, names, email addresses, phone numbers and booking details have been leaked. The travel portal says affected customers have been emailed about the increased risk of scams, so this is the first thing to check when it comes to staying safe.

Reducing the risk of being scammed by reservation hijacking involves taking the same security precautions you’re already following, and just being aware that this is a way you could be targeted will make a difference.

How does reservation hijacking work?

Scammers can obtain your booking details.
Courtesy of David Nield

We’ve already outlined the basics of reservation hijacking, but it can take many forms. Like other types of scams, it continues to evolve over time. The basic premise is that someone will contact you claiming to be from the location where you have a reservation, whether it’s a car rental company or a hotel.

Scammers will try to get as much information as possible about you and your booking. Sometimes they will target employees of the venue where you made the reservation to gain access to their systems, and other times they may take advantage of a broader data breach (as was the case with the recent Booking.com hack).

They can get information through other mediums also. They may have somehow gained access to your emails, or some of your social media posts (where you shared your next vacation destination and a countdown of how many days are left to go). If you find yourself talking to someone who knows a lot about your travel plans, don’t be confused.