The Secure payment link: is it a hoax?
Jan 27, 2017, 1:12 pm
#1
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The Secure payment link: is it a hoax?
Very surprised to have received this email (all the more surprised that I have stayed at this property last weekend and have not received such request 
Do you think it is a hoax ?
Is it a new process?
If so, what is the interest to have to give again credit card details if they are one IHG Rewards file?
Dear Mr Nicolas75,
Thank you for booking at InterContinental London Park Lane.
We are contacting you since you have reserved a room under an Advance Saver rate for arrival on the Xth February, which requires full pre-payment.
For security reasons, we do not take payments directly from the card. Please follow the secure link in order to make the payment; the link will be valid for 48 hours.
Should you require any further assistance or information, please feel free to contact our Reservations Department on [email protected] or call us on +44 (0) 20 7409 3131.
The "secure payment link" that you have received in this e-mail is intended for the purpose of paying for products or services detailed in the attachment, and which you have previously agreed to purchase.
Please read the attached documents including the General Business Conditions before using the "secure payment link". Should there be any discrepancies, please immediately contact the sender of the offer and do not make any payment. Request a new offer with a new "secure payment link".
Only when you specifically acknowledge that you have agreed to purchase these services and that you have agreed to the General Business Conditions should you use the "secure payment link". Through your use of this link you confirm that you have received, read, understood and accepted the offer and the General Business Conditions attached to this e-mail.
The secure payment link
XX | Groups Co-Ordinator
InterContinental London Park Lane One Hamilton Place Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY
Thank you for booking at InterContinental London Park Lane.
We are contacting you since you have reserved a room under an Advance Saver rate for arrival on the Xth February, which requires full pre-payment.
For security reasons, we do not take payments directly from the card. Please follow the secure link in order to make the payment; the link will be valid for 48 hours.
Should you require any further assistance or information, please feel free to contact our Reservations Department on [email protected] or call us on +44 (0) 20 7409 3131.
The "secure payment link" that you have received in this e-mail is intended for the purpose of paying for products or services detailed in the attachment, and which you have previously agreed to purchase.
Please read the attached documents including the General Business Conditions before using the "secure payment link". Should there be any discrepancies, please immediately contact the sender of the offer and do not make any payment. Request a new offer with a new "secure payment link".
Only when you specifically acknowledge that you have agreed to purchase these services and that you have agreed to the General Business Conditions should you use the "secure payment link". Through your use of this link you confirm that you have received, read, understood and accepted the offer and the General Business Conditions attached to this e-mail.
The secure payment link
XX | Groups Co-Ordinator
InterContinental London Park Lane One Hamilton Place Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY
Is it a new process?
If so, what is the interest to have to give again credit card details if they are one IHG Rewards file?
Jan 28, 2017, 1:31 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I think I'd forward the email to the hotel and inform them that you believe this must be an attempt at scamming.
After all you have already provided your credit card details during the booking process and no further negotiations about terms and conditions are necessary.
HTB.
After all you have already provided your credit card details during the booking process and no further negotiations about terms and conditions are necessary.
HTB.
Jan 28, 2017, 2:08 am
#5
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Sounds to me as if the property has lost out from disputed charges etc. I have never had that before at the PL but I can understand the change in policy. All reads too specifically to be a scam but I would double check.
Jan 28, 2017, 8:42 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
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While at first glance it seems like a scam, it sounds like the reservation details are correct (property and check-in date, and the fact that you did in fact book an advance purchase rate), so I'm inclined to believe it's legitimate. That being said, I wouldn't provide my payment details before calling the hotel and verifying that this is their new process for advance purchase reservations.
Jan 28, 2017, 10:14 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Newcastle, UK
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While at first glance it seems like a scam, it sounds like the reservation details are correct (property and check-in date, and the fact that you did in fact book an advance purchase rate), so I'm inclined to believe it's legitimate. That being said, I wouldn't provide my payment details before calling the hotel and verifying that this is their new process for advance purchase reservations.
How would it work for a flexible rate? Hotel unable to take credit card pre-authorisation at check-in or payment when you check-out? What would happen if you no-show and they can't then charge you? Why isn't every IHG hotel doing the same thing?
Jan 28, 2017, 12:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Even if it is their new process, where in the IHG booking process does it say that despite giving your credit card details during the booking the hotel may still contact you and request them again? Something just doesn't sound right here, even if it has come from the hotel and isn't a scam as such.
I'm pretty sure this is not a scam. However, I'd be upset if I received a mail like that, and that's why I would bother the hotel with it, claiming to worry that it's a scam.
That should probably also be escalated to IHG -- after all they are implying that the IHG reservation process is not safe.
HTB.
Jan 28, 2017, 6:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Exactly that!
I'm pretty sure this is not a scam. However, I'd be upset if I received a mail like that, and that's why I would bother the hotel with it, claiming to worry that it's a scam.
That should probably also be escalated to IHG -- after all they are implying that the IHG reservation process is not safe.
HTB.
I'm pretty sure this is not a scam. However, I'd be upset if I received a mail like that, and that's why I would bother the hotel with it, claiming to worry that it's a scam.
That should probably also be escalated to IHG -- after all they are implying that the IHG reservation process is not safe.
HTB.
Jan 29, 2017, 12:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Newcastle, UK
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Jan 29, 2017, 1:12 am
#11
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HTB.
Jan 30, 2017, 12:15 pm
#12
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I had a call with in-house reservation services, which confirmed that this is a new procedure to prevent fraud.
When I said that I was surprised with such a procedure, the answer was: "oh, if you don't reply, your card will be charged anyway."
When I said that I was surprised with such a procedure, the answer was: "oh, if you don't reply, your card will be charged anyway."
Jan 31, 2017, 5:06 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
Dear Mr Nicolas75,
I have replied separately to your e-mail address provided at booking stage, confirming that SaferPay is a new secure payment link system which was introduced at InterContinental Hotel Park Lane back in November to ensure that online payments are more secure.
I am happy to discuss this further should you require any further information.
Kind Regards,
Jurgita Juknaite
Reservations Manager
I have replied separately to your e-mail address provided at booking stage, confirming that SaferPay is a new secure payment link system which was introduced at InterContinental Hotel Park Lane back in November to ensure that online payments are more secure.
I am happy to discuss this further should you require any further information.
Kind Regards,
Jurgita Juknaite
Reservations Manager
Jan 31, 2017, 11:37 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
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Dear Mr Nicolas75,
I have replied separately to your e-mail address provided at booking stage, confirming that SaferPay is a new secure payment link system which was introduced at InterContinental Hotel Park Lane back in November to ensure that online payments are more secure.
I am happy to discuss this further should you require any further information.
Kind Regards,
Jurgita Juknaite
Reservations Manager
I have replied separately to your e-mail address provided at booking stage, confirming that SaferPay is a new secure payment link system which was introduced at InterContinental Hotel Park Lane back in November to ensure that online payments are more secure.
I am happy to discuss this further should you require any further information.
Kind Regards,
Jurgita Juknaite
Reservations Manager
Reason anyone can spoof/pretend to be an official employee.
The moderator can then flag your userid is "real/legitimate"
Jan 31, 2017, 4:39 pm
#15
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I can confirm that I received an email from InterContinental Park Lane London from the same person.