Dangerous guest complaint emails are circulating. Digitalization brings many advantages. But where there is light, there is also shadow. A new cyber criminal scam is currently circulating that reminds us all that not everything that lands in our inbox is true or safe. If you are in the hotel industry, this is the time to pay extra attention!
The supposed guest complaints
It starts innocently: an email that appears to contain a guest complaint. “Hotel Complain” is the subject. Two main variants of these emails are known so far. One is about poor cleanliness and noise pollution, the other is about suspected theft in the hotel room.
But, as is so often the case, the devil is in the details. Instead of authentic complaints, these messages are treacherous traps. The attached links, which supposedly show photos or videos in support of the complaint, actually redirect the user to malware.
How to recognize fraud
Trust is good, control is better! If you receive a complaint email from a guest:
- Check the sender's email address and name. If there is no comprehensible connection to an actual stay, you should be skeptical.
- Ask for more information. This can include the guest's name, length of stay or room number.
- Be careful with links and attachments. Only open it if you are absolutely sure that the email is trustworthy.
- Pay attention to file formats. You should especially treat zip and rar files with caution.
Why this scam works
Cybercriminals know that hotels are always striving to improve service to their guests. A guest complaint is often viewed as urgent and can lead to hasty clicks in the hustle and bustle of everyday work.
This scam exemplifies the ever-increasing creativity of online fraudsters. It shows once again that constant vigilance and training in dealing with digital media is essential.
Protective measures and prevention
In addition to the aforementioned caution when opening attachments and links, hotels and other companies should invest in training their employees. Cyber security awareness is no longer optional, but a must!
Additionally, implementing strong security software solutions and regular backups can help minimize the damage from such attacks.
Conclusion
The digital world is full of possibilities, but also full of dangers. The latest scam involving fake hotel complaint emails is a striking example of this. It is up to all of us to stay vigilant, educate ourselves and protect ourselves and our data.
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Source:
Watchlist Internet
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