GURS 2026 Academic Congress

A message from Veritas Association Management

As members prepare for upcoming meetings, conferences, and travel, we want to share an important security reminder about hotel booking scams.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using realistic-looking messages that appear to come from hotels, booking platforms, or travel providers. These messages may reference real reservation details, including hotel names, arrival dates, departure dates, or payment amounts. Because the information looks familiar, the message can feel legitimate.

Please remember:

Real reservation details do not always mean the message is safe.

What to watch for

A scam message may arrive by email, text message, WhatsApp, or another messaging platform. It may claim that:

• Your hotel reservation needs to be verified
• Your payment card must be re-entered
• Your reservation may be canceled unless you act quickly
• There is a problem with your booking
• You need to click a link to confirm your stay

These messages often include a link to a fake website designed to steal credit card information, login credentials, or other personal details.

What Veritas and our association partners will not do

Veritas, our association partners, and official event teams will not ask members to provide payment information, login credentials, verification codes, or sensitive personal information through an unsolicited text message, WhatsApp message, or suspicious third-party link.

If payment or hotel information is needed for an event, members should use the official event website, registration platform, housing portal, or verified hotel contact information.

How to protect yourself

Before clicking any hotel or travel-related link, take a moment to verify the message.

If you receive a suspicious message:

1. Do not click the link.
2. Do not enter payment information.
3. Do not provide login credentials or verification codes.
4. Go directly to the official event website or registration platform.
5. Contact the hotel using a phone number from the hotel’s official website, not the message.
6. Contact the association’s event team if you are unsure.

Red flags

Be extra cautious if a message:

• Creates urgency or threatens cancellation
• Requests payment card information through a new link
• Comes from an unfamiliar phone number or email address
• Uses WhatsApp, text message, or email for payment verification
• Sends you to a website that does not match the official hotel, event, or registration site
• Asks for one-time codes, passwords, or account access
• Contains unusual grammar, formatting, or branding

When in doubt, verify directly

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated. They may use accurate details to make their messages seem trustworthy. The safest response is to slow down and verify through an official source before taking action.

For event-related questions, please contact the official partner event support team.

Your security matters to us, and we encourage all members, attendees, exhibitors, and partners to stay alert when receiving travel or hotel-related messages.