Booking.com and the State Police, through the Postal Police, responsible for preventing and combating cybercrime, have started a collaboration in order to share suggestions and recommendations to help travelers book their holidays online in complete safety.
According to data from the Postal Police, in 2023 there were over 16,000 online scams in Italy.
Users are targeted on different types of platforms, while they shop, use social media or carry out searches.
This reflects the growing importance of educating and supporting consumers, helping them deal with potential online threats.
Here are the five recommendations for booking online safely: 1) Keep your personal information private: never share it via text, text or email with someone you don't know or if you are contacted unexpectedly.
Ideally, you should always pay through secure online sites you know or upon arrival at the accommodation.
2) Double your 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, such as typing a code received via text message.
This allows you to significantly increase your security.
3) Stop and think before clicking a link: If you receive a message containing a link, to avoid being taken to a fake site, check the landing page by placing your cursor over the link or by tapping and holding on a mobile device .
4) It's best to err on the side of caution: If a property asks you 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, you are wise to 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.
5) Check, check and check again: a beach property at an extremely affordable price might seem like a really tempting offer, but before you take the plunge and leave your money, check the property reviews and site URL website you are booking with to make sure both are legitimate.
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