“Easy, fast and secure bookings” - this is how the travel portal Booking.com advertises. But the supposed dream vacation turns out to be an expensive rip-off for many vacationers. Because the number of fraud cases on the platform is increasing. Now the EU Commission is getting involved.
The European Commission is investigating the travel portal Booking.com for possible violations of consumer protection regulations. Among other things, the platform is suspected of not having done enough against fraudsters on the platform. This emerges from a communication from the Brussels authorities.
These include fake accommodation offers, identity fraud and other scams to defraud travelers of their money. Specifically, the EU Commission wants to check whether the online portal with its headquarters in the Netherlands is making sufficient efforts to remove these irregular offers.
Booking.com said it was cooperating fully with the European Commission. We remain committed to working with the relevant authorities to combat online fraud and protect travelers and partners.
The investigation comes at a time when consumer advocates are warning of a growing number of online fraud cases. According to the commission, Booking.com itself reports a 500 percent increase in fraud cases on its platform worldwide. In the first half of 2026, 1,072 fraud reports were received, and the damage was estimated at around 82,000 euros. That is ten times the value compared to the previous year.
A scam used by fraudsters: phishing
The investigation also focuses on phishing attempts on the booking platform. Phishing is one of the most common online scams. Cyber criminals try to get sensitive data such as passwords or banking information by replying to fake messages.
Kiara S. and her boyfriend also fell victim to phishing. As they told ntv.de in the interview, they wanted to book accommodation in Sardinia on Booking.com. Nine nights for around 1200 euros. They finally wrote to the supposed landlord by email and received a booking link. They landed on a deceptively real website and provided their bank details. But the money was gone and the accommodation wasn't booked at all.
When asked about the case, Booking.com told us that "thanks to its strict controls and systems, it is largely able to detect and block the majority of suspicious activities before they impact partners or customers." Kiara S. and her boyfriend were lucky: they got their money back.
Advertising is also in the EU’s sights
In its investigations against Booking.com, the EU Commission is investigating how the platform passes on reservation and guest data to accommodation operators and how writing messages works on the platform. The main aim is to check whether the company has taken sufficient security precautions to prevent user data from being misused.
The Brussels authority announced that the opening of the procedure did not say anything about whether Booking.com had actually violated applicable EU rules. “Europeans should be able to book their holidays without fear of fraud,” said EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
The Brussels internet watchdogs also want to take a closer look at how transparently Booking.com deals with paid advertising. Hotels often appear higher up on the search list for an additional charge. The EU is investigating whether these are clearly marked as advertising. Brussels believes that consumers need to have sufficient information on how to change their advertising preferences themselves.
Tips for safe booking
If you're wondering whether and how you can book safely on Booking.com, consumer advocates can give you tips. Warning signs include a lack of reviews or a noticeably low price. In addition, you should never exchange bank details with the alleged landlord by email or telephone. Suspicious chats should be reported immediately.
