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Booking.com warns people about online booking tricks

Booking.com warns of rising travel scams fueled by AI, urging two-factor authentication and vigilance against phishing attacks.
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Booking.com says travel scams are getting worse because of new technology called artificial intelligence (AI). Marnie Wilking, who works on internet safety at Booking.com, says there are more phishing attacks now. Scammers use AI to make fake emails and booking links that look real. She tells hotels and travelers to use two-factor authentication and be careful when clicking on links.

AI makes it harder to spot scams, but Booking.com also uses AI to find and remove fake hotels from its website. They use AI to block or take down fake listings before anyone books them. Experts want travel companies to do more to tell people about these scams and how to stay safe. They suggest doing good research, checking contact details, booking package holidays, and using credit cards for extra safety.

In short, AI is making travel scams more common and harder to detect. Booking.com asks everyone to be careful and use extra security steps like two-factor authentication. They also use AI to fight back by removing fake listings. Experts say more awareness and advice are needed to help people avoid these scams.

Original news source: Booking.com warns of up to 900% increase in travel scams (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

πŸ“– Vocabulary:

1. artificial
2. phishing
3. authentication
4. scammers
5. detect
6. block
7. listings
8. research
9. package
10. awareness
11. security
12. avoid

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can take turns sharing their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will come up with three questions related to travel scams and AI. They will then take turns asking the questions to the other groups and recording their responses. Afterward, each group will share the results with the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will take turns choosing a word and then drawing it on the board without using any letters or numbers. The team members will try to guess the word. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Keyword Taboo
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will take turns drawing a word and describing it to their team without using the keyword or any derivative of it. The team members will try to guess the word. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have the students think about the following question: "How can travelers protect themselves from travel scams?" Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their ideas. Afterward, each pair will share their ideas with the class.

πŸ€” Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are travel scams getting worse?

2. How do scammers use AI to trick people?

3. What does Booking.com do to fight against fake hotels?

4. What are some ways that travel companies can help people stay safe from scams?

5. Why is AI making it harder to spot scams?

6. What is two-factor authentication and why is it important?

7. What are some extra security steps that people can take to protect themselves?

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Booking.com says scams are getting worse because of new called artificial intelligence (AI). Marnie Wilking, who works on safety at Booking.com, says there are more phishing attacks now. Scammers use AI to make fake emails and booking links that look real. She tells hotels and travelers to use two-factor authentication and be careful when clicking on . AI makes it harder to spot scams, but also AI to find and remove fake hotels from its website. They use AI to block or take down fake listings before anyone books them. Experts travel companies to do more to tell about these scams and how to stay safe. They suggest doing good research, checking contact details, booking package holidays, and using credit cards for extra . In short, AI is making travel scams more common and harder to detect. Booking.com asks everyone to be careful and use security steps like two-factor authentication. They also use AI to fight back by removing listings. Experts say more awareness and advice are needed to people avoid these scams.

πŸ’¬ Discussion Questions:

1. What is artificial intelligence (AI) and how does it relate to travel scams?
2. How would you feel if you received a fake email or booking link while planning a trip?
3. Do you like the idea of using two-factor authentication for extra security? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are some ways to spot and avoid travel scams?
5. Why do you think scammers use AI to create fake emails and booking links?
6. How do you feel about travel companies using AI to remove fake listings from their websites?
7. Do you think travel companies should do more to inform people about travel scams? Why or why not?
8. What steps do you usually take to stay safe when booking travel accommodations?
9. How would you feel if you found out that you had booked a fake hotel?
10. Do you think it's important to do research and check contact details before booking a trip? Why or why not?
11. Why do you think using credit cards can provide extra safety when booking travel?
12. What do you think can be done to raise awareness and provide more advice about travel scams?

Individual Activities

πŸ“–πŸ’­ Vocabulary Meanings:

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Words

1. artificial
2. phishing
3. authentication
4. scammers
5. detect
6. block
7. listings
8. research
9. package
10. awareness
11. security
12. avoid

Meanings

(A) To stay away from something
(B) Keeping something safe
(C) Items or properties available for sale or rent
(D) People who trick others to steal money or information
(E) To find or notice something
(F) Knowing about something
(G) A group of things put together
(H) Made by humans, not natural
(I) Proving something is real or true
(J) Looking for information about something
(K) To stop something from happening
(L) Tricking people to get their personal information

πŸ”‘ Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why are travel scams getting worse, according to Booking.com?
(a) Because people are not careful enough
(b) Because of new technology called artificial intelligence (AI)
(c) Because hotels are not doing enough to protect their guests
(d) Because credit cards are not safe to use while traveling
2. How do scammers use AI to trick people?
(a) By creating fake emails and booking links that look real
(b) By hacking into hotel websites
(c) By stealing credit card information
(d) By sending spam messages to travelers
3. What does Booking.com do to fight against travel scams?
(a) They warn hotels and travelers about potential scams
(b) They offer insurance against scam-related losses
(c) They block all bookings made with credit cards
(d) They use AI to remove fake hotels from their website
4. What advice do experts give to people to stay safe from travel scams?
(a) Do good research, check contact details, book package holidays, and use credit cards for extra safety
(b) Avoid using credit cards while traveling
(c) Only book hotels that have been verified by the government
(d) Share personal information with hotel staff to confirm the booking
5. How does AI make it harder to spot scams?
(a) AI can hack into hotel websites and steal personal information
(b) AI can block all communication from scammers
(c) AI can detect scams and alert the user immediately
(d) AI can create very convincing fake emails and booking links
6. What is two-factor authentication?
(a) A type of scam that targets travelers
(b) A way to book hotels without using a credit card
(c) A security measure that requires two different methods to verify a user's identity
(d) A technology that removes fake listings from travel websites
7. What does Booking.com ask everyone to do to stay safe?
(a) Share personal information with hotel staff
(b) Be careful and use extra security steps like two-factor authentication
(c) Avoid using credit cards while traveling
(d) Only book hotels that have been verified by the government
8. What do experts say is needed to help people avoid travel scams?
(a) More travel insurance options
(b) More government regulations on travel companies
(c) More awareness and advice
(d) More advanced AI technology

πŸ•΅οΈ True or False Questions:

Scammers are not using AI to generate fake emails and booking links that appear authentic.
Booking.com claims that travel scams are improving because of a new technology known as artificial intelligence (AI).
Marnie Wilking, who works on internet safety at Booking.com, dissuades hotels and travelers to avoid using two-factor authentication and be careless when clicking on links.
AI is making travel scams more common and harder to detect.
Experts want travel companies to do more to educate people about these scams and how to stay safe.
Booking.com encourages no one to be cautious and avoid using extra security measures like two-factor authentication, while also avoiding AI to eliminate fake listings.
Booking.com also uses AI to find and remove fake hotels from its website.
Good research, checking contact details, booking package holidays, and using credit cards can help protect against scams.

πŸ“ Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

1. Why are travel scams getting worse?
2. How do scammers use AI to trick people?
3. What does Booking.com do to fight against fake hotels?
4. What are some ways people can protect themselves from travel scams?
5. What do experts say needs to be done to help people avoid scams?

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