Booking.com, a popular online travel booking platform, has issued a warning about the increasing number of travel scams driven by artificial intelligence (AI). According to Marnie Wilking, the internet safety boss at Booking.com, there has been a significant surge in phishing attacks, where individuals are tricked into revealing their financial information, since the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. These attacks often involve sending fake booking links that appear very convincing. Scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb because they allow individuals to list their own accommodations. The scammers either disappear after receiving payment or attempt to extract more money through follow-up messages. While these scams have been around for a long time, AI is making them harder to detect due to the generation of realistic images and accurate text in multiple languages.
Wilking recommends that hotels and travelers use two-factor authentication, which involves an additional security check, such as inputting a code sent to your phone, as the best way to combat phishing and credential stealing. She also advises people to be more vigilant when clicking on links. Despite the negative impact of AI on scams, Booking.com is using the technology to quickly identify and remove fake hotels attempting to scam people. They have implemented AI models to detect and block these scams before any bookings are made.
Consumer expert Jane Hawkes suggests that travel providers should increase their efforts to raise awareness about these scams and provide advice on minimizing the risk of falling victim to them. She also recommends conducting thorough research, checking for readily available contact details and telephone numbers on websites, and booking package holidays instead of separate flights and accommodations. Using a credit card for bookings can also provide additional protection.
In conclusion, Booking.com warns of a significant increase in travel scams driven by AI. These scams involve phishing attacks and fake booking links that appear very convincing. Two-factor authentication is recommended as the best defense against these scams, and individuals should be cautious when clicking on links. While AI has made scams harder to detect, Booking.com is using the technology to swiftly remove fake hotels. Travel providers should increase their efforts to educate people about these scams, and individuals should conduct thorough research and consider booking package holidays and using credit cards for added protection.
Original news source: Booking.com warns of up to 900% increase in travel scams (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | phishing | A type of online scam where individuals are tricked into revealing personal information |
| 2 | generative | Capable of producing or creating something, especially through AI |
| 3 | authentication | The process of verifying the identity of a person or device |
| 4 | credential | A qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person’s background, typically used to indicate suitability |
| 5 | vigilant | Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties |
| 6 | scam | A dishonest scheme or fraud |
| 7 | accommodation | A place to stay, such as a hotel or rental property |
| 8 | extract | To remove or take out, often by force or effort |
| 9 | realistic | Closely resembling real life |
| 10 | surge | A sudden and large increase |
| 11 | detect | To discover or identify the presence of something |
| 12 | implement | To put into effect or action |
| 13 | thorough | Extremely attentive to accuracy and detail |
| 14 | minimize | To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree |
| 15 | protection | The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm or danger |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to write a summary of the article in their own words, focusing on the key points and main ideas. After a few minutes, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think two-factor authentication is an effective way to combat travel scams?” or “Have you ever fallen victim to a phishing attack?” Have students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates these questions, recording their answers. Afterward, gather the class and discuss the results, allowing students to share their opinions and provide reasoning for their answers.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to discuss the pros of using AI in detecting and blocking travel scams, and the other group to discuss the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm their arguments. Then, have a debate-style discussion where each group presents their points and counters the arguments of the other group. Encourage students to use evidence from the article to support their claims.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article, such as phishing, authentication, scams, etc. Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a different word. One student from each pair will draw a picture representing the word, while the other student tries to guess the word based on the drawing. After a certain amount of time, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the activity with a new word.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Ask each group to discuss and make predictions about the future of travel scams and the role of AI in combating them. They should consider how scams might evolve, what new technologies might be used, and how AI can continue to adapt to prevent scams. After a few minutes, have each group present their predictions to the class and engage in a discussion about the possibilities.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the main concern that Booking.com has issued a warning about?
2. How do scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb?
3. What is two-factor authentication and why does Wilking recommend it?
4. How is AI making scams harder to detect?
5. How is Booking.com using AI to combat scams?
6. What recommendations does consumer expert Jane Hawkes give to travel providers?
7. What precautions does Hawkes recommend for individuals to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams?
8. How does using a credit card for bookings provide additional protection?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Booking.com, a popular online travel booking platform, has issued a warning about the increasing number of travel scams driven by (1)______ intelligence (AI). According to Marnie Wilking, the internet safety boss at Booking.com, there has been a significant surge in phishing attacks, where individuals are tricked into revealing their financial (2)______, since the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. These attacks often involve (3)______ fake booking links that appear very convincing. Scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb because they (4)______ individuals to list their own accommodations. The scammers either disappear after receiving payment or attempt to extract more money through follow-up messages. While these scams have been around for a long time, AI is making them harder to detect due to the generation of realistic images and accurate text in multiple languages.
Wilking recommends that (5)______ and travelers use two-factor authentication, which (6)______ an additional security (7)______, such as inputting a code sent to your phone, as the best way to combat phishing and credential stealing. She also advises people to be more vigilant when clicking on links. Despite the (8)______ impact of AI on scams, Booking.com is using the technology to quickly identify and remove fake hotels attempting to scam people. They have implemented AI models to detect and block these scams before any bookings are made.
Consumer expert Jane Hawkes suggests that travel providers should increase their efforts to (9)______ awareness about these scams and provide advice on minimizing the risk of falling victim to them. She also (10)______ conducting thorough research, checking for readily available contact (11)______ and telephone numbers on websites, and booking package holidays instead of separate flights and accommodations. (12)______ a credit card for bookings can also provide additional protection.
In conclusion, Booking.com (13)______ of a significant increase in travel scams driven by AI. These scams involve phishing attacks and fake booking links that appear very convincing. Two-factor authentication is recommended as the best defense against these scams, and individuals should be cautious when clicking on links. While AI has made scams harder to detect, Booking.com is using the technology to swiftly remove fake hotels. Travel providers should increase their efforts to educate people about these scams, and individuals should (14)______ thorough research and (15)______ booking (16)______ holidays and using credit cards for added protection.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. Have you ever fallen victim to a travel scam? If so, can you share your experience?
2. What steps do you usually take to protect yourself from online scams?
3. How would you feel if you received a fake booking link that appeared very convincing? Why?
4. Do you think two-factor authentication is an effective way to combat phishing attacks? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever used AI technology to detect and remove scams? If not, would you consider using it? Why or why not?
6. How do you think travel providers can raise awareness about travel scams?
7. Do you think conducting thorough research before making travel bookings is important? Why or why not?
8. How do you usually verify the authenticity of a website before making a booking?
9. Do you prefer booking package holidays or separate flights and accommodations? Why?
10. How do you feel about using credit cards for added protection when making travel bookings?
11. What other precautions do you take to ensure your online safety while booking travel?
12. Have you ever encountered a fake hotel listing? How did you handle the situation?
13. What advice would you give to someone who is planning to book accommodation online for the first time?
14. How do you think AI technology can be further utilized to combat travel scams?
15. Do you think the responsibility of preventing travel scams lies more with the individual or the travel providers? Why?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. phishing
2. generative
3. authentication
4. credential
5. vigilant
6. scam
7. accommodation
8. extract
9. realistic
10. surge
11. detect
12. implement
13. thorough
14. minimize
15. protection
Meanings:
(A) A dishonest scheme or fraud
(B) Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
(C) A place to stay, such as a hotel or rental property
(D) A type of online scam where individuals are tricked into revealing personal information
(E) To remove or take out, often by force or effort
(F) Capable of producing or creating something, especially through AI
(G) Extremely attentive to accuracy and detail
(H) To put into effect or action
(I) A sudden and large increase
(J) To discover or identify the presence of something
(K) To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree
(L) A qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person’s background, typically used to indicate suitability
(M) Closely resembling real life
(N) The process of verifying the identity of a person or device
(O) The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm or danger
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the main concern raised by Booking.com about travel scams?
(a) The lack of two-factor authentication
(b) The increasing use of AI in scams
(c) The difficulty in detecting scams
(d) The rise in phishing attacks
2. Why do scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb?
(a) These websites allow individuals to list their own accommodations
(b) These websites have weak security measures
(c) These websites have a large user base
(d) These websites are popular among travelers
3. How does AI make scams harder to detect?
(a) By sending fake booking links
(b) By generating realistic images and accurate text
(c) By tricking individuals into revealing their financial information
(d) By disappearing after receiving payment
4. What does Booking.com recommend as the best defense against phishing and credential stealing?
(a) Two-factor authentication
(b) Booking package holidays
(c) Conducting thorough research
(d) Using credit cards for bookings
5. How is Booking.com using AI to combat travel scams?
(a) By raising awareness about scams
(b) By providing advice on minimizing the risk of scams
(c) By quickly identifying and removing fake hotels
(d) By implementing two-factor authentication
6. What does consumer expert Jane Hawkes recommend to minimize the risk of falling victim to travel scams?
(a) Using credit cards for added protection
(b) Booking package holidays instead of separate flights and accommodations
(c) Conducting thorough research and checking for contact details
(d) All of the above
7. What additional protection can using a credit card for bookings provide?
(a) Two-factor authentication
(b) Swift removal of fake hotels
(c) None of the above
(d) Added security against scams
8. What is the main message of the article?
(a) Two-factor authentication is the best defense against travel scams
(b) Travel providers should increase their efforts to educate people about scams
(c) Individuals should conduct thorough research and use credit cards for added protection against scams
(d) Booking.com warns of a significant increase in travel scams driven by AI
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Booking.com has issued a warning about the decline of travel scams driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
2. Scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb because they allow individuals to list their own accommodations.
3. Phishing attacks have increased since the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
4. Booking.com recommends two-factor authentication as the best defense against phishing and credential stealing.
5. Travel providers should decrease efforts to raise awareness about these scams and provide advice on maximizing the risk of falling victim to them.
6. Booking.com is using AI technology to quickly identify and remove fake hotels attempting to scam people.
7. Scammers frequently stay in contact after receiving payment or try to extract more money through follow-up messages.
8. AI-generated images and text make these scams easier to detect.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the main concern raised by Booking.com regarding travel scams?
2. How do scammers target individuals using fake booking links?
3. What recommendations does Marnie Wilking give to combat phishing and credential stealing?
4. How is Booking.com using AI to address the issue of fake hotels?
5. What advice does consumer expert Jane Hawkes give to travelers to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. The main concern that Booking.com has issued a warning about is the increasing number of travel scams driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
2. Scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb by sending fake booking links that appear very convincing.
3. Two-factor authentication is an additional security check, such as inputting a code sent to your phone, and Wilking recommends it as the best defense against phishing and credential stealing.
4. AI is making scams harder to detect by generating realistic images and accurate text in multiple languages, making the fake booking links and phishing attacks more convincing.
5. Booking.com is using AI to combat scams by implementing AI models to detect and block fake hotels before any bookings are made.
6. Consumer expert Jane Hawkes recommends that travel providers increase their efforts to raise awareness about scams and provide advice on minimizing the risk of falling victim to them.
7. Hawkes recommends conducting thorough research, checking for readily available contact details and telephone numbers on websites, and booking package holidays instead of separate flights and accommodations to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams.
8. Using a credit card for bookings provides additional protection because credit card companies often offer fraud protection and can help in disputing unauthorized charges.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) artificial
(2) information
(3) sending
(4) allow
(5) hotels
(6) involves
(7) check
(8) negative
(9) raise
(10) recommends
(11) details
(12) Using
(13) warns
(14) conduct
(15) consider
(16) package
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. phishing
Answer: (D) A type of online scam where individuals are tricked into revealing personal information
2. generative
Answer: (F) Capable of producing or creating something, especially through AI
3. authentication
Answer: (N) The process of verifying the identity of a person or device
4. credential
Answer: (L) A qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person’s background, typically used to indicate suitability
5. vigilant
Answer: (B) Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
6. scam
Answer: (A) A dishonest scheme or fraud
7. accommodation
Answer: (C) A place to stay, such as a hotel or rental property
8. extract
Answer: (E) To remove or take out, often by force or effort
9. realistic
Answer: (M) Closely resembling real life
10. surge
Answer: (I) A sudden and large increase
11. detect
Answer: (J) To discover or identify the presence of something
12. implement
Answer: (H) To put into effect or action
13. thorough
Answer: (G) Extremely attentive to accuracy and detail
14. minimize
Answer: (K) To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree
15. protection
Answer: (O) The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm or danger
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the main concern raised by Booking.com about travel scams?
Answer: (b) The increasing use of AI in scams
2. Why do scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb?
Answer: (a) These websites allow individuals to list their own accommodations
3. How does AI make scams harder to detect?
Answer: (b) By generating realistic images and accurate text
4. What does Booking.com recommend as the best defense against phishing and credential stealing?
Answer: (a) Two-factor authentication
5. How is Booking.com using AI to combat travel scams?
Answer: (c) By quickly identifying and removing fake hotels
6. What does consumer expert Jane Hawkes recommend to minimize the risk of falling victim to travel scams?
Answer: (c) Conducting thorough research and checking for contact details
7. What additional protection can using a credit card for bookings provide?
Answer: (d) Added security against scams
8. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (d) Booking.com warns of a significant increase in travel scams driven by AI
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Booking.com has issued a warning about the decline of travel scams driven by artificial intelligence (AI). (Answer: False)
2. Scammers target websites like Booking.com and Airbnb because they allow individuals to list their own accommodations. (Answer: True)
3. Phishing attacks have increased since the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. (Answer: True)
4. Booking.com recommends two-factor authentication as the best defense against phishing and credential stealing. (Answer: True)
5. Travel providers should decrease efforts to raise awareness about these scams and provide advice on maximizing the risk of falling victim to them. (Answer: False)
6. Booking.com is using AI technology to quickly identify and remove fake hotels attempting to scam people. (Answer: True)
7. Scammers frequently stay in contact after receiving payment or try to extract more money through follow-up messages. (Answer: False)
8. AI-generated images and text make these scams easier to detect. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
