Tech

UAE Travel Alert: Why You Should Never Click ‘Re-Verify’ on Your Hotel Booking This Summer

Published

31 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Shorya

With thousands of UAE residents heading on holiday this summer, government officials are urging tourists to be vigilant in the wake of a surge in travel scams targeting consumers online. The Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, and the UAE Banks Federation has issued Consumer Advice regarding the tactics used by cybercrime parties to target Dubai tourists during their vacations with bogus booking confirmations, phishing emails and fake travel offers.

Among the latest scams hitting travelers this season is what’s known as the “Re-Verify Your Booking” scam. These messages look real, and frequently contain true booking information, which can make them more believable than a regular phishing message.

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What Is the ‘Re-Verify’ Hotel Booking Scam?

Today the fraudsters are using high-tech techniques and methods to get their messages to appear as if they’re legit, as opposed to old scams with misspelled words and “bait” links. The attackers send emails, SMS messages or WhatsApp messages to compliment the victim that something is wrong with his or her hotel booking or the payment.

Typically, such messages prompt travelers to click on a link urgently to “re-confirm,” update their payment information, or verify their identity. When the victim enters the essential card information or logins, scammers are able to access financial and personal information.

How Reservation Hijacking Works?

One of the new tactics with which cybercriminals operate is something referred to as reservation hijacking. They are not sending out phishing emails but messages to real travelers that contain true reservation details.

Some scammers acquire booking information by hacking hotel computer systems or by intercepting travel information. They can have your full name, hotel name, hotel number and reservation number, travel dates, and where you are going written into their system, and therefore are able to sound completely legit.

This realistic approach frequently lends a realistic impression that the request is actually from within their hotel.

Other Summer Travel Scams Targeting UAE Residents

With all the festivities during the holiday season, authorities report hotel verification scams as just a piece of the cybercrime puzzle.

Another tactic fraudsters are employing is to create fake travel agency websites and mobile applications offering luxury travel at a discounted price. Others use stolen property photos on their websites to claim houses for rent and take deposits only to vanish thereafter.

But AI has taken phishing attacks to the next level, creating professional emails, even AI-generated voice calls purporting to represent airlines or customer service numbers.

Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

One ploy often used by scams is to cause panic and urgency. If you get a message that your booking will be cancelled in minutes unless verified, STOP.If the message you receive is that your reservation will be cancelled in minutes if it doesn’t get verified, STOP.

Don’t trust shortened URLs, strange website chains, asks for quick payment or offers to make transfers to a private bank account. Illegitimate hotels and airlines don’t require customers to validate payment by messaging.

Unusually, contact the hotel directly using the official phone number or web site, not a link sourced from the hotel.

How UAE Authorities Recommend Protecting Yourself?

Dubai Police and UAE Banks Federation advise a simple verification procedure before the payment is made.

Do not book from emails or WhatsApp links, book online from the official website or via the mobile application. Closely examine website URLs for minor misspellings that can imply suspicious websites.

It is advisable to use virtual payment cards or prepaid travel cards, with a limited amount, whenever possible, so that if the information is compromised, there is a financial risk to be reduced. Avoid making bookings, insurance payments or deposit payments from personal accounts of or for travel companies.

What To Do If You Become a Victim?

Always alert your bank by informing them you think someone’s stolen financial information from you or they’ve got a suspicious link and have it blocked and keep an eye on your accounts for suspicious transactions.

Another thing you need to do is report the incident to the UAE authorities via the official e-Crime website or via the Dubai Police non-emergency number (901). Quickly reporting fraudulent sites can help investigators block the progress of more travelers.

FAQs

What possible motive could there be for “Re-Verify Your Booking” scams?

The scams are on the rise as cybercriminals are using genuine reservation information to model their messages and rely on artificial intelligence to make it more believable, allowing them to deceive travelers more easily.

Can scammers get my hotel booking information?

Yes. The fraudsters may actually get details for bookings from a compromised network or steal consumer travel information, making it easy for them to send highly convincing phishing messages.

How to spot a hotel message?

Avoid clicking on links or attachments in emails or text messages, and go to the hotel’s website or mobile app directly and reach out to customer support with verified contact numbers.