Coldplay fans warned to watch out for hotel scams as prices set to soar

Coldplay
-Credit: (Image: Kevin Mazur/AMA2015/WireImage)


One expert has cautioned Coldplay enthusiasts to remain vigilant when looking for accommodations during the famous UK band's upcoming tour.

After Coldplay announced they will play six dates at Wembley in 2025, with ticket prices starting at just £20, fans have been eagerly searching online to arrange their stays, many hoping to secure a hotel on the night of the performance.

Technology specialists have raised concerns that scammers may take advantage of this surge in demand for local lodgings, using tactics like fake reviews or entirely counterfeit hotels to deceive eager attendees.

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Marc Porcar, the CEO of QR Code Generator, highlighted the risks: "As interest in hotels near the venue rises, people may seek alternative accommodations, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit."

He further warned, "The reality is that many of us assume accommodation listings are authentic when they appear on sites that we're familiar with, and then place a booking without doing our due diligence and checking for warning signs. This is especially 'true' if the property is listed as having limited availability or if there's a short-term discount," reports the Mirror.

Person on computer
Scammers may target those looking for accommodation -Credit:Getty Images

According to Marc, here are some telltale signs of potential scams:

  • Fake listings - Scammers have been known create fake accommodation listings to trick people into paying for non-existent properties

  • Phishing scams - Fraudulent emails or messages can mimic legitimate booking sites to steal personal or financial information

  • Fake reviews - Fraudulent reviews are created to inflate the online reputation of fake properties. Some are even written to damage the reputation of legitimate properties.

  • Payment fraud - Scammers tend to request payment through insecure methods, rather than through legitimate booking platforms.

  • Bait-and-Switch - After booking, the scammer provides a different, often inferior, property than what was advertised.

Marc advised: "To avoid being scammed via fake listings, make sure you verify the accommodation you're looking at by checking reviews and ratings. Even go so far as to look the property up on Google Maps, as we've seen instances of the listed property not existing at all. Remember if things seem too good to be 'true', they likely are.

"To protect yourself from phishing scams, hover over links to check the actual URL before clicking. Be cautious of URLs that are misspelt or closely mimic legitimate sites.

Person using ATM
Be wary of payment methods when booking a hotel -Credit:Getty Images

"Secondly, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. Instead, go directly to websites by typing the URL into your browser."

He also said it was crucial for those seeking lodging to be wary of unsolicited emails, especially ones soliciting personal or financial info.

To avoid traps, Marc recommends giving priority to verified purchasers or guest critiques, often highlighted by platforms if the booking was made through them.

"Additionally, examine reviewer profiles for authenticity; profiles with limited activity or generic names could be fake. When making a booking, use secure payment methods such as credit cards or reputable payment platforms," suggests Marc.

"Also, verify that the payment site is secure by checking for 'https' in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. Verify details to ensure the property or service matches the description and images provided. If possible, contact the company directly to confirm the details.

"Additionally, compare the deal you're offered with similar listings to spot any discrepancies or unusually low prices that might indicate a bait-and-switch scam."