Banking giant NatWest has issued a crucial security alert for the millions of Britons planning hotel stays during the busy festive period. The advice, published in mid-December 2025, centres on a simple but vital step: always check the hotel's official guest book before connecting to Wi-Fi.
The 'Evil Twin' Wi-Fi Threat in Hotels
With families travelling for Christmas gatherings, parties, and winter holidays, criminals are actively targeting hotel guests. NatWest warns that scammers frequently set up fake wireless networks with names deceptively similar to a hotel's genuine offering. These malicious hotspots, known as 'rogue access points' or 'evil twins', are designed to trick guests into logging on.
"Scammers sometimes set up fake hotel networks with names that are very similar to the genuine one," the bank states on its website. The safest way to confirm the correct network is to "make sure the network name is the one printed in official hotel guest books." For example, a guest at the 'Goodnight Inn' might see a network named 'GoodNight Inn' (with a capital N) instead of the correct version, potentially connecting them to a criminal's trap.
Why Public and Hotel Wi-Fi Poses a Risk
NatWest strongly cautions against entering any personal or financial details while using open Wi-Fi networks, whether in a hotel lobby, cafe, or airport. "When using open Wi-Fi networks, stick to messaging and browsing, and avoid entering any personal information," the guidance advises. The bank explains that because these networks are often open or have widely shared passwords, fraudsters on the same network can more easily intercept data.
This warning is echoed by cybersecurity firm Norton. It highlights that many public Wi-Fi hotspots are unencrypted, transmitting data in plain text. Hackers on the same network can therefore spy on online activities, capturing banking logins, passwords, and private messages.
Further Festive Season Security Advice
Beyond Wi-Fi vigilance, NatWest's festive safety tips extend to dining and spending abroad. The bank recommends:
- Always paying in the local currency when given the choice on card machines to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.
- Being wary of restaurant scams. Check reviews beforehand, confirm prices when ordering, and only pay for what you consumed.
- Requesting an itemised receipt and scrutinising it for unexpected charges, such as for water or cover fees.
As travel peaks in December, taking a few moments to verify a Wi-Fi network via the front desk or guest book could prevent significant financial loss and data theft, ensuring holidays remain festive for all the right reasons.
