Mar 26, 2016, 2:43 pm
Last edit by: silver springer
For checking balances (thanks to Brendan);
For those who don't know already, the US/ Canadian toll-free phone # for Hyatt Customer Service to check the value of Hyatt GCs is 1-866-784-0540. If calling from elsewhere, first dial the ++ code of the country from which you're calling, subject to the normal rate for ringing the USA.
Hyatt Customer Service suggested to check the value of your gift card (e-gift card or plastic) once a month
For those who don't know already, the US/ Canadian toll-free phone # for Hyatt Customer Service to check the value of Hyatt GCs is 1-866-784-0540. If calling from elsewhere, first dial the ++ code of the country from which you're calling, subject to the normal rate for ringing the USA.
Hyatt Customer Service suggested to check the value of your gift card (e-gift card or plastic) once a month
issues with Hyatt gift card
Nov 5, 2015, 3:10 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
I also had two zeroed e-gift cards, which I unfortunately didn't notice until I got to the desk to pay checking out of the Grand Cypress.
Phone service told me they had been used over the summer at two properties I had never been to (Jersey City and Lake Tahoe)
Hyatt was quick to reissue (the next day) but that didn't help me and I unfortunately had to change my plans to cover the stay with the gift cards.
I agree with the upthread comment that this is likely a brute force (or other) hack, since all a person would need is the number.
Phone service told me they had been used over the summer at two properties I had never been to (Jersey City and Lake Tahoe)
Hyatt was quick to reissue (the next day) but that didn't help me and I unfortunately had to change my plans to cover the stay with the gift cards.
I agree with the upthread comment that this is likely a brute force (or other) hack, since all a person would need is the number.
Fdw
Nov 26, 2015, 7:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
FYI. I had $875 in gift cards zeroed out. They were all bought in the last 3 months. I am actually at a hyatt right now and just thought why not check the balance to be sure. 2 days before I leave I might get the new cards issued.
Dec 6, 2015, 12:58 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 22
Hyatt E-Gift Card Fraud
Anyone else experience an issue with Hyatt E-Gift Card Fraud in the last few weeks and months?
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
Dec 6, 2015, 1:20 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP & AAirpass, Hyatt Courtesy Card, SPG Platinum
Posts: 991
I had a similar issue recently and it was resolved to my satisfaction, and quite promptly. It took about a day.
Anyone else experience an issue with Hyatt E-Gift Card Fraud in the last few weeks and months?
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
Dec 6, 2015, 1:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
I ordered some Hyatt eGCs in late 2014.
Tried to use them at the PH NYC in October and was informed they both had a $0 balance.
Took a few phone calls, but they investigated and agreed to ship out physical GCs to replace the full value.
Tried to use them at the PH NYC in October and was informed they both had a $0 balance.
Took a few phone calls, but they investigated and agreed to ship out physical GCs to replace the full value.
Dec 6, 2015, 7:45 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Maybe the thieves are reselling the stolen cards on those gift card resale sites -- it's hard for me to believe a thief would be dumb enough to actually use a stolen card themselves in person with their real id!
Dec 6, 2015, 9:41 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Just 2 weeks ago I saw links on giftcardgranny.com offering some Hyatt GCs @ ~25% discount, but I had no need for any. Now the vast majority are listed at a discount of only 11% or 8.15%.
Perhaps the 25% deals were too good to be true. . .
Perhaps the 25% deals were too good to be true. . .
Dec 6, 2015, 10:11 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
I've heard of other reports of problems with them and only buy physical cards.
Dec 7, 2015, 4:05 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
Anyone else experience an issue with Hyatt E-Gift Card Fraud in the last few weeks and months?
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
I purchased a $2000 E-GC in late July 2015; used part of the balance in August and should have had approximately $500 left when i tried to check out of a Hotel in Houston in late November. Showed a $0 balance so I didn't argue.
Called the Hyatt Line - got transferred to Consumer Affairs Dept. (in Omaha) - and found out that someone has used my E-GC in Maui since MY last use. The entire call process really inspired very little confidence - seems like they enter some details and another Dept will then proceed to "investigate" further. Considering I am a GP Diamond (25+ actual stays) and had since ordered a substantial amount of additional Gift Cards (thankfully physical ones this time) - I would say BUYER BEWARE on purchasing Hyatt GC's. Clearly no Consumer Protection laws apply here. And if Hyatt should somehow deem it not appropriate to replace the stolen balance you would just be completely out of luck.
At this point - I still expect Hyatt will do the right thing (should be really easy in my case to determine this was fraud given that I did not travel to Maui) - but just drives home the fact that Hyatt's security and payment systems are clearly not secure (I have seen other reports of fraud posted in various comments to other blogs/forums).
Would love to hear if this is a widespread issue.
FDW
Dec 7, 2015, 10:18 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 22
Seems like Hyatt has had a security breach (or a relatively widespread weakness in their system; whatever the right word would be) and they have no way of fixing it in the short term. Rather disconcerting because unlike a Credit Card where you can 'dispute' a charge and have certain consumer protections - you are entirely at the mercy of Hyatt and whether they will do the right thing here.