FlyerTalk Forums - Hotel Scams

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- - Hotel Scams (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1012304-hotel-scams.html)

Here is a note found in my hotel room... Not going to name the name of the property or chain since I've seen similar notes at a few other hotels from different chains over the past few weeks. This is the note tonight:

To Our Valued Guest:

Over the past several months there has been an attempt by scam artists across the country to secure credit card numbers from hotel guests. These individuals will call guest rooms at random and claim to be hotel associates needing to verify credit card information. For your own protection, please do not give your credit card number over the telephone while staying in the hotel. Should you receive a call asking for this information, please hang up and contact the (front desk) immediately by dialing "0" or call the General Manager at extension ####.

We thank you for taking this necessary precaution, and please let us know if we may assist you in any way throughout your stay.

Sincerely,

General Manager

I left out the extension number since its different from hotel to hotel. In addition, I replaced the actual name of the property's front desk with (front desk) because it'll give away the name of the the brand. Just wants to give everyone a heads up.

Not only do I stay in hotels more than 200 nights a year, I also research scams and cons. Yet, I could very easily have fallen for this perfectly believable one. I got a chill reading the quoted hotel note, having just received a similar phone call in a hotel room a few days ago. Took me a moment to recall that the requested was for my frequent stay account number, not my credit card.

Even with all my hotelling, I haven't yet run into this one. Thanks a lot for this warning!

thiefhunter.com

I also say thanks for the warning. I hope I wouldn't fall for it, but I can see where folks would.

Thanks for the warning.

Some hotels will put a call through to a room without the caller stating the guest's name, just the room number. The safest thing to do is go to the front desk with the information when receiving a call like that. NEVER give the information to a caller!!