Medium riskText Message

Reservation Confirmation Text Scam

This scam texts a fake reservation confirmation for a restaurant, hotel, or appointment and asks you to confirm, modify, or pay a deposit through a link that captures your card and personal details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Booking impersonation (smishing)
Main red flag
A reservation text you did not make, asking you to confirm or pay through a link.
What to do first
Do not tap the link. Verify any booking directly with the venue using official contacts.

How this scam works

This scam texts a fake reservation confirmation for a restaurant, hotel, or appointment and asks you to confirm, modify, or pay a deposit through a link that captures your card and personal details.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A reservation text you did not make, asking you to confirm or pay through a link. Do not tap the link. Verify any booking directly with the venue using official contacts.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Appointment Reminder Scam and the Hotel Booking Scam. See the full Text Message Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A reservation you do not recall making
  • A link to confirm, modify, or pay a deposit
  • A request for card details to 'hold' a booking
  • A venue name that is vague or slightly wrong
  • Pressure to act before the booking is released

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Your table for 4 is confirmed for 7pm Saturday. A $20 deposit is required to hold your booking. Pay or cancel here: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A reservation text you did not make, asking you to confirm or pay through a link.

The scale of it

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Contact the venue directly using a number you look up yourself
  • Do not pay deposits through links in unexpected texts
  • Report the text to your mobile provider's spam service if available
  • Delete the message and block the sender

Already responded? Do this now

  • Do not enter card details on the linked page
  • If you paid, contact your bank to flag or freeze your card
  • Watch your statement for unexpected charges
  • Change any password you entered

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay a deposit through a text link
  • Do not assume a booking is real because it has details
  • Do not reply with card or personal information

Related scams to know

Medium risk Text Message

Appointment Reminder Scam

This scam sends a fake appointment reminder for a doctor, dentist, licensing office, or service and asks you to confirm, reschedule, or pay a small fee through a link that quietly harvests your personal or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Hotel Booking Scam

Hotel booking scams use fake listings or phishing messages that pose as a booking platform or the hotel itself. They ask you to 'reconfirm' payment off-platform, pay a deposit by transfer, or update card details for a room that may not really be available. Some come from hacked hotel chat or email accounts, making the request look genuine.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Bank Alert Text Scam

This scam sends a text claiming suspicious activity on your account, then steers you to a fake login page or a 'fraud agent' who pressures you to move money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Do venues text links to pay deposits?
Many take deposits through their own secure systems or by phone. An unexpected text link asking for card details is a common scam, so verify with the venue directly.
I never made this reservation. Why the text?
Scammers send these in bulk hoping the timing fits. A confirmation for something you did not book is a warning sign.
What if I paid the deposit?
Contact your bank to protect your card and watch for further charges, and report the message.
How can I check a real booking?
Call the venue using a number from its official website, not the one in the text, and confirm directly.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.