Beware
of hotel check-in scam
Mike
Lane says "creativity wow! This is one of the smartest scams I have heard
about".
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a copy of the 3rd Edition of the Little Book of Big Scams produced by the
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Posted: 150731
|  | Mike
Lane says "look out for this one if you travel and check in at a hotel. How
does it work?
You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk.
Typically, when you are checking in, you give the front desk your credit card
(for any charges to your room) but they don’t retain the card. You then go
to your room and settle in. All is fine.
The hotel receives a call and the
caller asks for (as an example) room 620 - which happens to be your room. The
phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the
following: "This is the front desk. Following your checking in we came across
a problem with your charge card information which I need to check with you. Please
could you repeat to me your credit card numbers and verify the last 3 digits numbers
on the reverse |
side of your charge card." Not thinking anything is wrong, since the call
seems to come from the front desk, you oblige. But actually it is a scam by someone
calling from outside the hotel. At the switchboard they have asked for a random
room number, then ask you for your credit card and address information. They sound
so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk. Of course once
they have that card information they can make havoc with your credit card!
If
you ever encounter this situation on your travels, tell the caller that you will
be down to the front desk to clear up any problems and politely end the call.
Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem. If
there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone tried to scam you
and get hold of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee.
This scam report was sent in by someone who has been duped . . . and is still
cleaning up the mess! Anyone
travelling should be aware of this one! |
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