Booker Beware: Many Online Hotel Sites Are A Scam
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Travelers looking to book a hotel are being advised to use caution as many websites that appear legitimate are being run by scammers.
As CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports, the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates that 2.5 million bookings a year in the United States, worth more than $220 million, are misleading.
By one estimate, there are 480 online hotel bookings a minute, but there are some rogue operators who may trick customers into thinking they are making a reservation directly with the hotel.
"A lot of these scam artists and rogue operators actually steal pictures off the hotels website ... They're making this website look just like the website of the hotel," said Steve Bernas, of the Better Business Bureau. "You can't tell the difference really."
So when a customer reserves a room using a credit card number "sometimes they just steal your information for identity theft," Bernas said.
"Really make sure that the organization is who you think it is before you give your credit card number," said hotel client Annie Andreoni.
Roy Koch of Glen Ellyn is comfortable using recognized booking sites.
"Everything we do is online and so we did it on hotels.com," he said.
Yet the scams are a growing problem.
"It's a growing problem not only here in Chicago, but also nationally as well, and that's why the Better Business Bureau issued this national warning," Bernas said.
The hotel industry suggests customers should double-check the url address, call the reservation line and ask detailed questions about the hotel.
And once the reservations is made, call the hotel directly and try to confirm.