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Consumer Watchdog Uncovers Fake 10 Downing Street Listing on Booking.com

Which? created a false listing for a 1-bedroom apartment at 10 Downing Street on Booking.com, revealing security issues.

2 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Consumer Watchdog Uncovers Fake 10 Downing Street Listing on Booking.com — Archive photoPhoto: Kentallen8 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Consumer watchdog Which? has launched a campaign to highlight security vulnerabilities in the property rental platform Booking.com by creating a fake listing for 10 Downing Street. The false advertisement was titled '1 bedroom apartment in the heart of London' and was designed to test the site's security protocols.

According to reports, the listing was set up within minutes and it included a fake review describing an 'exceptional' experience, mentioning enjoyment 'hanging out with Larry the Cat,' a reference to the resident cat of 10 Downing Street.

The watchdog's actions aimed to draw attention to what they term 'systemic security failures' within Booking.com. These failures allowed the unauthorized listing to not only be created but also to accept payments from potential customers.

Multiple sources indicated that the listing appeared appealing, thus raising concerns regarding the ease with which fake properties can be advertised on major booking platforms. Booking.com has faced scrutiny over its protocols related to user-generated content and listings.

Which? stated that the ease of creating such a listing underscores significant lapses in the verification measures typically expected from a reputable travel site. This incident follows heightened security awareness due to various cyber threats and fraudulent activities rampant in online marketplaces.

The issue has prompted discussions about regulatory oversight of online property rental platforms and whether additional measures are necessary to ensure user safety and prevent fraudulent listings.

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