A new fraud scheme for renting apartments and hotels through popular Internet services was reported to the police, Eurasian Bank reports with reference to Polisia.kz.
According to law enforcement officials, users who have already made a reservation have started receiving messages asking them to re-enter their bank card details, even if the details are already listed in their personal account and do not require confirmation. Fraudsters, posing as homeowners or platform administrators, send links to phishing sites and use fake accounts to steal funds.
Recommendations for safe accommodation booking:
• Check the website address. Phishing pages may contain imperceptible changes in the domain name — added letters, changed endings, etc.
• Do not transfer bank card details directly in correspondence with the landlord.
• Be critical of offers that are too profitable. A suspiciously low price may be a sign of fraud.
• Study the reviews and the history of the ad. Pay attention to the publication dates and the period of placement of the object — a long period of placement indirectly indicates its reliability.
• Avoid full prepayment whenever possible. Pay for accommodation on the spot, after making sure of the availability of housing.
• Beware of suspicious links from messengers, emails, or social media — they may lead to fake sites.
• Book only on trusted platforms. If the site is in doubt, double-check the information and do not take any chances.
Eurasian Bank urges customers to be attentive and, if in doubt, immediately contact the Bank or the police.