Beware of Requests from
“Hotel Employees” Over the Phone Wallingford, CT – December 29, 2011 – Many people will be traveling to see family and friends in the next few weeks. Scammers know this too, and may try to trick you into divulging your credit card information by posing as hotel employees.
BBBs around the nation have received calls from victims of this scam. Here is how it works:
The crooks are counting on catching you off guard or sleeping. They tend to place these calls in the late at night or the early hours of the morning. The caller claims to be a hotel employee who needs to get your credit card number because:
- The hotel encountered a problem processing your credit card and they need to verify your number.
- The hotel's computer system has crashed and they need to get your credit card information again.
- The hotel's system has crashed and your credit card information is needed for an audit to be conducted shortly.
The crooks are counting on catching you while you are sleeping, so you aren't thinking clearly. And they might even offer you a discount on the room for the inconvenience.
According to victims, the callers are professional con artists and very convincing. Consumers should remember that hotels generally handle any questions about billing at the front desk, not over the phone, and they certainly wouldn't be calling you in the middle of the night.
BBB Tips to Protect Yourself from Being Victimized
- Never give your credit card or banking information over the phone to anyone you don't know.
- If you're staying at a hotel and get a call from someone claiming to be a hotel employee, hang up the phone and call the front desk yourself. Better yet, go down to the front desk. Chances are the call didn't come from within the hotel.
- Remind friends and family not to provide credit card information over the phone during a hotel stay.
Please share this information with friends and family who may be traveling this holiday season.
You will find more valuable tips to protect yourself, your family, purchases and finances over the holidays at
http://ct.bbb.org/consumer-tips-holiday/.
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