With Easter just around the corner, Italian families are organizing their holidays, opting for some of the most beautiful Italian cities of art and the sought-after European capitals. Today, as we know, technology plays an increasingly central role in the search for the perfect trip, but the danger of online scams continues to lurk.
For this reason, for the first time, Booking.com and the State Police, through the specialized division of the Postal Police – responsible for preventing and combating cybercrime – have undertaken a collaboration with the aim of sharing suggestions and recommendations to help travelers book your holidays on the Internet in complete safety.
Travel and online scams: the data
For many people, travel remains a priority. Over three-quarters of Italians say they feel more alive than ever during the holidays. Many rely on technology to make the booking experience easier. From those looking to travel off the beaten path (47%) to those who just want some quality sleep (56%), over a billion nights were spent in hotels and other accommodations in the first six months of 2023 alone Europeans, many of which booked online.
According to data from the Postal Police, there were in 2023 over 16,000 online scams in Italy. Users can be targeted on different types of platforms, while they shop, use social media or carry out searches. This therefore reflects the growing importance of educating and supporting consumers, helping them deal with potential web threats.
Five recommendations for booking online safely
Here you are five recommendations of the Postal Police to avoid running the risk of running into online scams when booking a trip.
- Maintain private your information personal. It is important to never share personal information, such as credit card details, by text, text or email with someone you don’t know or if you are contacted out of the blue. Ideally, you should always pay through secure online sites you know, or upon arrival at the accommodation.
- “Double” security. Many online platforms and credit card providers make two-factor authentication available to customers. Once activated, instead of simply typing your password, you will be asked to complete a second step to access your account, for example typing a code received via SMS. Although this is an additional step, it is something very quick and allows you to significantly increase security, whether it is your email account or one on an online travel platform.
- Stop and think before you click on a link. If you receive a message containing a link, to avoid being directed to a fake site, check the landing page by placing your cursor over the link or by tapping and holding on a mobile device.
- Better to be cautious: If a property asks for payment outside of the terms agreed upon at the time of booking, or if you receive a poorly worded email asking you to share personal information, treat the request with caution. If in doubt, it is always best to contact customer service or the facility directly to verify the legitimacy of the message.
- Check, check and check again. A beachfront property at an extremely affordable price might seem like a really tempting offer, but before you take the plunge and dig into your wallet, check the property’s reviews and the URL of the website you’re booking with to make sure that both are legitimate.
