Fraud Alert: Fake Message Regarding Hotel Booking

[FFbtm1974]

I just received a WhatsApp message from a company calling itself “The Plough-Harborne Limited” stating that my reservation at Zing Resort & Spa in Pattaya had been placed on hold because “guest identity validation has not yet been successfully completed,” and it included a link requesting that I re-enter my credit card information. After contacting the hotel, I confirmed that the message was fraudulent. But the accuracy of the personal details included (my name, phone number, arrival and departure dates, and booking code) suggests that there has been a data breach involving my reservation at this particular hotel.

[spoon]

Did u make the reservation directly with the hotel? Or using third party app/website?

[FFbtm1974]

44 minutes ago, spoon said:

Did u make the reservation directly with the hotel? Or using third party app/website?

Hotels.com, with which I have never had similar problems. 

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, FFbtm1974 said:

I just received a WhatsApp message from a company calling itself “The Plough-Harborne Limited” stating that my reservation at Zing Resort & Spa in Pattaya had been placed on hold because “guest identity validation has not yet been successfully completed,” and it included a link requesting that I re-enter my credit card information. After contacting the hotel, I confirmed that the message was fraudulent. But the accuracy of the personal details included (my name, phone number, arrival and departure dates, and booking code) suggests that there has been a data breach involving my reservation at this particular hotel.

good that you stay alert, link requesting re-entering credit card info is tell-it-all but i guess many would fell into that trap

[Olddaddy]

After using a certain "gay"🏳️‍🌈 hotel in Bangkok I noticed my 💳 was used for uber eats in the UK a few days later 

Lucky my bank refunded my money but I had to fill out application forms etc it was a hassle , they made it difficult as I had to print out the application form and fax it in etc 

 

[Olddaddy]

I usually use Agoda for my hotel bookings ,the hotel websites are more expensive I find 

Look I know it's got nothing to do with your original post but I thought I would add that .

 

[Keithambrose]

I had this issue with Booking.com, and a hotel in Rome. I got a message, all details correct, including hotel email, apparently from the hotel, asking for advance payment.  The booking was pay on arrival, so I wasn't going to pay, and contacted the hotel. It was indeed a data breach affecting a number  of hotels. They were very apologetic,  but as I hadn't paid, no problems. 

[FFbtm1974]

41 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

I usually use Agoda for my hotel bookings ,the hotel websites are more expensive I find 

Look I know it's got nothing to do with your original post but I thought I would add that .

 

I consistently triple check the hotel rate at hotels.com, Agoda and Google Maps. 

[Olddaddy]

38 minutes ago, FFbtm1974 said:

I consistently triple check the hotel rate at hotels.com, Agoda and Google Maps. 

Yes , the thing is ,and don't quote me ,but if you use the same app they usually give you some reward benefits,whether it's true or not is another thing as Agoda have made me  a VIP member but the rates seem the same .

I had to send letters and emails to Agoda a few times to complain ✍️✍️

[daydreamer]

1 hour ago, FFbtm1974 said:

I consistently triple check the hotel rate at hotels.com, Agoda and Google Maps. 

You might add Trivago to that list.  Trivago is a hotel meta-search engine.  They check dozens of booking sites (worldwide), and present you with the best prices.  If booking directly with the hotel is cheaper than the booking agencies, Trivago will show that.  Google Maps is good, but Trivago specializes in hotel bookings, at the lowest price - it's all they do.

In some cases for example, a room referred to Booking.com through Trivago by a click-through link will be less expensive than going directly to Booking.com (or Agoda, or Hotels.com, etc)

I was just checking Trivago for a few days on Koh Samet, and the room prices vary widely between different booking sites, for the same room.