“Messages Waiting” Booking.com Scam

Scam Overview

• Scam type: Phishing via email and in-app messaging
• Fake claim: “You have 10 messages waiting for a response” with urgency to click a “View messages” link
• Delivery: Posing as Booking.com notifications delivered through phishing emails or even in-app messages (often via compromised hotel accounts)
• Goal: Coerce travelers into entering login credentials, credit card info, or downloading malware, resulting in account takeovers, financial theft, or identity compromise

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Scam Tactics: Why It Tricks So Many

• Messages mimic Booking.com layout and reference real booking details
• Sent through official channels (email + app), often via hacked hotel accounts
• Links lead to convincing fake pages prompting credit card verification — sometimes even prompting SMS OTPs

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Key Details Table

Threat Type	Phishing / Scam via Booking.com
Disguise	“Messages waiting” notification from Booking.com
Fake claim	“10 guest messages” or booking “at risk”
Distribution	Email, in-app, rogue links, impersonated app chat
Symptoms	Link to verify payment or log-in; generic greeting
Damage	Stolen account/payment info, financial/ID theft
Severity	High – well-targeted, often through official UI
Removal tool	N/A (no malware), use antivirus & reset credentials

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In-Depth Analysis

Infection Vector

• Criminals hijack hotel Booking.com login or email credentials through credential stuffing or spear-phishing
• Send fraudulent messages via Booking.com UI that land in your inbox or app as legitimate-looking alerts

Behavioral Profile

1. Victim views the alert and clicks the link
2. Redirected to a counterfeit page asking for login/payment details
3. They enter credit card or OTP → funds/credentials are stolen instantly

Real‑World Examples

• Multiple travelers report near-identical messages, only to be stopped by credit card OTP alerts
• Victims have lost hundreds to over £900 per incident

Risk Assessment

• Impact: Serious — direct financial theft or account takeover
• Scope: Global; vulnerabilities in hotel IT systems make it scalable
• Persistence: Still widespread as of mid-2025

Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself

Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails

Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
• Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.

Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails

If an email appears suspicious:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT download attachments.
• Do NOT reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
• FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.

Step 4: Block the Sender

To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:

• Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
• Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
• Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise

If you’ve interacted with a scam email:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
• Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:

• Windows Users (Windows Defender)
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users
  • Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.

Step 7: Strengthen Email Security

• Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
• Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
• Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.

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SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats

SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. Restart your computer after removal.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

• Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
• Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
• To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".

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How to Prevent Future Email Scams

To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:

Use a Secure Email Provider

Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.

Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions

Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.

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Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.

Take Action Now

Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

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Prevention Tips

1. Never click links in emails or app messages — instead, navigate manually via Booking.com
2. Check message origin — generic greetings and suspicious timing are red flags
3. Enable 2FA on your Booking.com account
4. Use credit cards (not debit) and rely on OTP alerts to detect fraud
5. Confirm with hotel directly and call Booking.com support if uncertain

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If You Clicked or Paid

1. Immediately contact your bank to cancel the card and dispute charges
2. Change Booking.com (and reused) passwords, enable 2FA
3. Monitor accounts for suspicious activity
4. Scan your device with updated antivirus software
5. Report the incident to Booking.com and local authorities

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Conclusion

The Booking.com “Messages Waiting” scam has grown increasingly sophisticated—impersonating official channels, leveraging real booking info, and even bypassing in-app protections via compromised hotel portals. Yet simple vigilance remains the most effective defense: avoid unsolicited links, secure your account, and verify everything through official channels.

Staying safe while traveling online isn’t optional; it’s essential.