Check with the check-in desk
Do you have a fairly common last name and stay in hotels a lot?
You might be targeted by scammers out to steal your credit card data.
Here’s how it works:
Scammers call a hotel and ask to speak to Mr. Smith or Mr. Jones on the chance that someone with that last name is staying there. If they’re connected to a room with such a guest, they pretend to be calling from the front desk.
“We’re having a problem with billing authorization on your credit card,” they’ll say. “Could we double check the number and expiration date of the card you used at check-in?”
Some even will ask for the card’s three-digit security code.
Then they either sell the credit card information or use it to run up thousands in purchases.
Lodging experts say if you’re ever in doubt about a request for information over your hotel room phone, just visit the front desk in person to make sure.
For other hotel security tips, visit www.crimedoctor.com/hotel.htm.