Phishing attacks continue to affect guests at Flemish hotels: minister Beenders looks into possibilities

Horeca Vlaanderen has recently received numerous reports from hotels regarding a phishing attack targeting their guests. In this scam, guests receive messages via WhatsApp or other communication channels containing accurate reservation details such as their name, booking reference, or dates of stay. They are then redirected to a fake payment page with the aim of stealing their payment details. Horeca Vlaanderen has raised this issue with the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Ms. Beenders, who is considering further action.

Horeca Vlaanderen is very concerned about the situation and the prevailing uncertainty. To support its members, the sector organisation has provided hotels with practical recommendations and guidelines on the measures they can take themselves. “We are calling on hotel guests to be extra vigilant with unexpected and suspicious communications regarding payments or reservations. If in doubt, always contact the hotel directly and report it,” states CEO of Horeca Vlaanderen, Matthias De Caluwe. “Furthermore, we have raised this with the Minister of Consumer Protection, Beenders, so that together we can quickly gain a better understanding of the extent and cause. This will allow us to better protect hotelkeepers and their guests in the future. We are therefore particularly pleased that the minister is taking immediate action.”

Minister Beenders explores possibilities

Minister for Consumer Protection Rob Beenders immediately took action after the report from Horeca Vlaanderen. Many consumers have already been confronted with this phishing attack, and this must stop urgently. “We take these reports very seriously. I therefore call on everyone to be extra vigilant when receiving emails, texts or other messages with payment requests or suspicious links. Criminals are increasingly trying to exploit the trust of consumers and businesses today. That is why it is crucial that potential cases of fraud are reported quickly. Horeca Vlaanderen provides me, as Minister for Consumer Protection, with all findings and reports, so that we can examine them thoroughly and take appropriate action where necessary. You can always report suspicious messages or attempted scams via the official government reporting point: safeonweb.be/nl/opgelicht. Only by reporting quickly and remaining alert can we better protect consumers and businesses against digital fraud,” says Minister Beenders.