Travelers Beware Hotel/Motel scam

By
Home Stager with Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607

PLEASE PASS THIS ONE ALONG TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS………


scam alertMy husband received this alert from his coworker. It will surprise you how simple this scam is. 

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in.

 
Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room). Your phone rings in your room.
You answer and the person on the other end says the following:

'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came cross a problem with your charge card information.Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk.hotel/motel scam alert

 
If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.
This was sent by someone who has been duped........and is still cleaning up the mess.

P.S. Please everyone, consider spreading the word by forwarding this email. Who knows, you might just help someone avoid a nasty experience.

Comments (8)

Teresa Cooper
Home Solution Real Estate Services - North Charleston, SC
SC Lowcountry - Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley

Oh Anna, thanks for the heads up!  This is a new one I haven't heard yet! 

Apr 06, 2012 02:51 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Wow, this is one scam I haven't heard of before Anna.  Thanks for posting this, great information.  I could see how someone could easily fall for this one.

Apr 06, 2012 08:09 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Anna - Wow - so glad you posted this.  Often when you check into a hotel you're tired from travelling and not really thinking clearly.  Forewarned is forearmed!

Apr 07, 2012 02:31 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Teresa, you are welcome. I thought it needs attention.

Roger, I would give my info right away!

Sally, you right, when you tired it is easier to provide the info rather than come down to the lobby. 

Apr 07, 2012 07:38 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Anna ~ What will they think of next?  We have to be the alert to never give out details on the phone ... even in a hotel.  Thanks for the warning!

Apr 07, 2012 10:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I checked this out on Snopes and it has been circulating the internet since 2008.  Most hotels now require a name and room number before putting an outside call through to a room.  However, there is the possibility that an inexperienced clerk could put the scammer through with just a room number and there are some hotel chains that don't have that security policy. Also, hotels will put a room-to-room call through so a scammer could get a room at the hotel and then easily call other rooms.

This is a good reminder, Anna, that we should never give our credit card info over the phone without being certain of who we are giving it to.

Apr 07, 2012 10:23 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Maureen, I don't know what's next but we have to understand that this is their JOB and they are good at that. All we can do is be more careful.

Sharon, my husband travels a lot so I call him all the time, in 18 years I can name only couple of hotels where front desk asked for to verify the name.

Apr 08, 2012 01:23 AM
Anonymous
Hampton guest

Hampto Inn in Careyville TN. has a much more sophisticated scam. The clerk calls the police to your room over noise/smells/occupancy. Then after you have checked out they call your home and tells whomever that answers, there was a problem. The TV was broken and it is a 900 dollar Sylvania 38" TV. (Sylvania doesn't make a 38" that I could find) and asking for 1500.00 dollars in damages.

After they give their story they ask for the money or Felony Warrants will be issued. Don't be fooled. She will call back with a much better offer. (900.00 lol)

This is a very organized scam and every caution should be taken when dealing with the local LEOS.


TBI is watching now.

Jun 26, 2014 04:15 AM
#8