Theft of valuables by hotel employee from in-room safe, what now?
Jul 6, 2015, 6:04 pm
#91
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Jul 6, 2015, 8:44 pm
#92
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
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Dear all,
Some time ago I checked into a very well known luxury brand hotel for a couple of nights.
When checking in I stored all my valuables in the safety deposit box in the room and made sure it was locked.
After that I didn't pay much attention to my belongings until I checked out.
When I was packing my stuff and took my belongings from the safety deposit box I noticed a part of the money was missing.
The person who stole my money didn't take everything hoping that he/she would get away with it without me noticing. You know how it goes... You're always short of time when checking out...
Unfortunately I noticed and immediately I called the hotel management who sent the security staff to my room. They started asking me all kinds of questions and I just felt that they didn't really believe me... (I would probably also have strong doubts about it, surely they had cases of opportunists claiming the same).
Being persistent about my story they offered to call the police and I didn't hesitate to accept the offer although it meant I would get into serious time trouble... 15 minutes later the police arrived, asked me some questions and invited me to go to the police station which I did. The amount of money that was stolen was enough for the police to open up a criminal investigation. I told them my story, told them the safety deposit box was locked for 100% and how I discovered the theft and signed my declaration.
After that the police drove me back to the hotel, I checked out and rushed to the airport where I arrived with less then 15 minutes of check-in time remaining.
When the police dropped me of I did noticed that they brought some investigation materials and my declaration also gave them the opportunity to have a look at the CCTV surveillance tapes...
End of story? Surprisingly not...
A week later I received an email from the hotel management saying that they will take full responsibility, that the police solved the case and caught the thief (someone from their staff members) and that they will pay me back all the stolen money which they did in the meantime.
Until to date I kept this case very discreet, didn't blow a whistle on any social media channel and tried to peacefully settle this with the hotel group.
My question? What can I do in this case, what are my rights? Do I have any?
I know this thing is going to haunt me for some time especially when storing valuables in the room.
Would like to know the opinion of my fellow travellers.
Thank you.
Some time ago I checked into a very well known luxury brand hotel for a couple of nights.
When checking in I stored all my valuables in the safety deposit box in the room and made sure it was locked.
After that I didn't pay much attention to my belongings until I checked out.
When I was packing my stuff and took my belongings from the safety deposit box I noticed a part of the money was missing.
The person who stole my money didn't take everything hoping that he/she would get away with it without me noticing. You know how it goes... You're always short of time when checking out...
Unfortunately I noticed and immediately I called the hotel management who sent the security staff to my room. They started asking me all kinds of questions and I just felt that they didn't really believe me... (I would probably also have strong doubts about it, surely they had cases of opportunists claiming the same).
Being persistent about my story they offered to call the police and I didn't hesitate to accept the offer although it meant I would get into serious time trouble... 15 minutes later the police arrived, asked me some questions and invited me to go to the police station which I did. The amount of money that was stolen was enough for the police to open up a criminal investigation. I told them my story, told them the safety deposit box was locked for 100% and how I discovered the theft and signed my declaration.
After that the police drove me back to the hotel, I checked out and rushed to the airport where I arrived with less then 15 minutes of check-in time remaining.
When the police dropped me of I did noticed that they brought some investigation materials and my declaration also gave them the opportunity to have a look at the CCTV surveillance tapes...
End of story? Surprisingly not...
A week later I received an email from the hotel management saying that they will take full responsibility, that the police solved the case and caught the thief (someone from their staff members) and that they will pay me back all the stolen money which they did in the meantime.
Until to date I kept this case very discreet, didn't blow a whistle on any social media channel and tried to peacefully settle this with the hotel group.
My question? What can I do in this case, what are my rights? Do I have any?
I know this thing is going to haunt me for some time especially when storing valuables in the room.
Would like to know the opinion of my fellow travellers.
Thank you.
Why not leave your valuables at home and carry only as much cash as you need for the trip? Keep it in a money belt if there's too much for your wallet. Put it in a fanny pack worn in front of your body. This is pretty much common sense. Travellers should know that in-room safes are not safe at all. Hide your valuables and don't put a bunch of cash in the safe in your room.
Jul 7, 2015, 5:06 am
#93
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Jul 20, 2015, 12:43 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 258
An easy theft
After reading this thread, I always thought that anyone how leaves lots of money lying around (even in a safe) is just asking for trouble, and now I'm a victim. My gf traveled to join me for a long weekend in a neighbouring country where I am for work, and she brings a large sum of cash with her (No idea why, it was 'just in case').
So after returning back from the 3 day break, she goes to use the money back at home, and discovered half (equivalent to approx $400USD) of it has disappeared. She had left the money in an envelope in her handbag which sat of the desk in the room for the 3 days she was here. My first thought was 'that's very foolish and goodbye money'.
As I have a very good rapport with the duty manager, I thought I would let her know (I'm still here for another week). She has been fantastic and immediately involved the hotel security, and launched into an investigation. I'm not expecting anything to come of it, it's a valuable lesson for the gf not to carry large amounts of cash with her and then leave it in a handbag in the room for 3 days.
Just thought I would share and remind those of us that travel a lot, that some of our friends and family don't and could use a quick reminder on securing items.
So after returning back from the 3 day break, she goes to use the money back at home, and discovered half (equivalent to approx $400USD) of it has disappeared. She had left the money in an envelope in her handbag which sat of the desk in the room for the 3 days she was here. My first thought was 'that's very foolish and goodbye money'.
As I have a very good rapport with the duty manager, I thought I would let her know (I'm still here for another week). She has been fantastic and immediately involved the hotel security, and launched into an investigation. I'm not expecting anything to come of it, it's a valuable lesson for the gf not to carry large amounts of cash with her and then leave it in a handbag in the room for 3 days.
Just thought I would share and remind those of us that travel a lot, that some of our friends and family don't and could use a quick reminder on securing items.
May 12, 2018, 10:41 am
#96
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 394
Very useful discussion, on a subject I've been several years overdue in thinking about, so thanks to all for an hour well spent reading.
As I think about my home (very cheap model) security camera, motion-activated -- the occasional bird flying onto the back porch confirms it's working -- I wonder if there's an easily portable in-room version for travelers. With online video storage. Certainly would reduce having to depend on the hotel's video and security tracking systems if a problem arose to present to management.
Wouldn't surprise me if it already exists. My next search, when I get around to it...
As I think about my home (very cheap model) security camera, motion-activated -- the occasional bird flying onto the back porch confirms it's working -- I wonder if there's an easily portable in-room version for travelers. With online video storage. Certainly would reduce having to depend on the hotel's video and security tracking systems if a problem arose to present to management.
Wouldn't surprise me if it already exists. My next search, when I get around to it...
May 12, 2018, 11:59 am
#97
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Very useful discussion, on a subject I've been several years overdue in thinking about, so thanks to all for an hour well spent reading.
As I think about my home (very cheap model) security camera, motion-activated -- the occasional bird flying onto the back porch confirms it's working -- I wonder if there's an easily portable in-room version for travelers. With online video storage. Certainly would reduce having to depend on the hotel's video and security tracking systems if a problem arose to present to management.
Wouldn't surprise me if it already exists. My next search, when I get around to it...
As I think about my home (very cheap model) security camera, motion-activated -- the occasional bird flying onto the back porch confirms it's working -- I wonder if there's an easily portable in-room version for travelers. With online video storage. Certainly would reduce having to depend on the hotel's video and security tracking systems if a problem arose to present to management.
Wouldn't surprise me if it already exists. My next search, when I get around to it...
May 13, 2018, 9:17 am
#99
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,855
This sort of stuff happens more often than we think. I wonder how many of these claims hotels do get, whether they are legitimate, or that person is just incorrect about what they brought. Many of these stories lead into "they didn't believe me" like their story is the first of its kind.
I never understand why some people bring so much money with them in scenarios that don't even call for it. Thousands sometimes. Outside of maybe a few taxis, some vendors, and some restaurants/bars, mostly everyone else takes a credit card. I read about far too many people who would rather use cash for some baseless reason like it's more secure, or they "just don't want to charge". I'd also rather bring my debit card "just in case" instead of $1000+.
This is also the first story I've read where the thief is caught, and the money is returned. It is so hard to prove, and becomes he-said, she-said.
I never understand why some people bring so much money with them in scenarios that don't even call for it. Thousands sometimes. Outside of maybe a few taxis, some vendors, and some restaurants/bars, mostly everyone else takes a credit card. I read about far too many people who would rather use cash for some baseless reason like it's more secure, or they "just don't want to charge". I'd also rather bring my debit card "just in case" instead of $1000+.
This is also the first story I've read where the thief is caught, and the money is returned. It is so hard to prove, and becomes he-said, she-said.
May 14, 2018, 12:00 pm
#101
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This sort of stuff happens more often than we think. I wonder how many of these claims hotels do get, whether they are legitimate, or that person is just incorrect about what they brought. Many of these stories lead into "they didn't believe me" like their story is the first of its kind.
I never understand why some people bring so much money with them in scenarios that don't even call for it. Thousands sometimes. Outside of maybe a few taxis, some vendors, and some restaurants/bars, mostly everyone else takes a credit card. I read about far too many people who would rather use cash for some baseless reason like it's more secure, or they "just don't want to charge". I'd also rather bring my debit card "just in case" instead of $1000+.
This is also the first story I've read where the thief is caught, and the money is returned. It is so hard to prove, and becomes he-said, she-said.
I never understand why some people bring so much money with them in scenarios that don't even call for it. Thousands sometimes. Outside of maybe a few taxis, some vendors, and some restaurants/bars, mostly everyone else takes a credit card. I read about far too many people who would rather use cash for some baseless reason like it's more secure, or they "just don't want to charge". I'd also rather bring my debit card "just in case" instead of $1000+.
This is also the first story I've read where the thief is caught, and the money is returned. It is so hard to prove, and becomes he-said, she-said.
I suspect that people (want to) pay for drugs and prostitutes with cash. Even if an escort service accepts credit cards, the customer might not want a record or even to reveal a name.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; May 15, 2018 at 4:30 pm
May 14, 2018, 9:17 pm
#102
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
a few weeks ago while traveling I found a watch I wanted from a store across the street from my hotel. Was working on a deal with them and offered cash (this watch is rarely discounted much). Went to the bank and got it, but didn’t close the deal right away as we were stuck on the price. With that, I ended up with a fair amount of cash in my hotel room for a couple of days (no time to get back to the bank to re-deposit).
May 15, 2018, 4:29 pm
#103
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That's another good point. Sometimes you can negotiate a (better) discount if you pay in cash.
Jun 22, 2021, 6:39 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
Can I check where I can find the source for this info please! Currently had a lot stolen from a Hilton safe, is the hotel liable?
Jun 22, 2021, 10:53 pm
#105
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