Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone. Even the suggestions to chill out.
I did change my password to my HH account. I think, if it wasn't clear enough, the fact that someone is possibly using my info to get themselves a better stay (?) doesn't bother me nearly as much as the lack of security on the part of individual hotels and Hilton themselves.
Yes, I have checked in and out of many Hilton properties with nothing more than giving my name (never showing a CC, ID, etc to staff). It is super convenient. But how long would it really take for someone to take a peek at my ID or passport at check-in just to make sure all is well?
To address some of the helpful suggestions individually...
Originally Posted by
nacho
I have - IHG changed my address and I have seen on the IHG thread where someone got sent someone else's booking confirmation. Once someone got his account hacked and redeemed all his points to get amazon GC.
At Marriott once I got a wrong folio under my door and that guy's address, MR info are all there.
Another FT thread at Marriott - a FTer got his account hacked, someone used his points to book and he called the hotel when that guy was actually staying at the hotel, the hotel asked that guy to pay with his own CC - no sincere apology from Marriott AFAIK.
Wow! I guess I need to spend way more time reading FT than I already do!
Originally Posted by
cbn42
Yes, I think you're overreacting. Your HH# isn't exactly top secret, and any damage anyone can do with it or with your credit card number can be sorted out relatively easily. Worst case scenario, you will need to ask your bank to change your number. If someone throws a party and tries to blame you, then surveillance tapes should be easy enough to pull up. Unless your SSN has been compromised or there are false charges on your credit card, chill out.
Yeh, you're right. Piece of cake to get CCs reissued, etc especially since I tend to only do banking/financial business with the big boys who are known for their no-fault customer service (AmEx, CapOne, etc).
Originally Posted by
scubaccr
Regards CC questioning with an hotel, you could have simply asked hotel to confirm if Last 4digits matched nnnn which is a simple yes/no answer, hotel correctly should not tell you the actual digits
Tried that as well in a follow-up phone call with the hotel's Assistant GM late yesterday. She refused again for "privacy reasons".
Originally Posted by
ceieoc
As your Hilton Honors account appears to be used by an unknown person, to help protect your privacy, I would expect Hilton to issue you a new account number and transfer your existing information to this new account. Banks and credit card companies issue new account numbers on a hacked account, so why wouldn't Hilton do this for your protection and peace of mind?
I did ask the corporate somebody that very question when he called me yesterday...his response was the same...no real reason to go to those extremes until something hits my CC, bank statement, etc. He was very apathetic to the whole situation! He kept reiterating the same line to me..."until you actually see a charge on your credit card, there is nothing to be worried about"..."lots of hassle to mail out new cards, change information over to new account number", etc.
Originally Posted by
shorthauldad
To the OP: open a new HHonors account, then call up and ask them to merge the two accounts, saying you'd prefer to keep the new account number.
Great suggestion. Thanks. Didn't realize this was an option to circumvent the corporate guy who refused to open a new account on my behalf.
Originally Posted by
soonerfanatic
Simple.
Call the police and file a report that you received the email and did not stay nor was even in the said city at that time and are concerned of false identity and possible resulting actions. Shouldn't take too much of your time and will protect you if something does happen. ie. credit issues, damage scenario.....and if it does, you can then proceed with legal action.
Notify corporate consumer affairs of the event and that you have filed a police report.
When the police follow up, the GM will likely actually do something about this.
Another idea that never really crossed my mind. I guess deep down inside, I was hoping someone at Hilton (or the hotels directly) showed some genuine concern. This will be my next step.
Thanks again everyone!