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IMPORTANT HOTEL SECURITY INFO

Posted by Barrie Lynn Bryant on August 22, 2014 at 8:49am in Hotel Tips, Home and Room Sharing for Artists

ABC News report yesterday mentioned the following new scams. You check into a hotel and later while in your room you get a call from someone claiming to be at the front desk. The caller asks you to confirm your credit card information and since you don't want to be bothered with walking to the office, you give out your info. BAD IDEA. Always go to the office. And if you feel funny about getting out to the office late at night or something, let them know you'll see them first thing in the morning. Or better yet, hang up and call the front desk and confirm they really do need to see you.

Scammers are making mock pizza and other menu flyers and sliding them under hotel room doors. Never give credit and debit card info to these people over the phone if you call the numbers on the flyers. You could be giving your details to JUST ANYONE, and in this case it could be a scammer. You'll get robbed this way, and never get your pizza or sub or nachos or whatever you ordered.

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Scams, credit, debit, flyers, hotel, scammers

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Sabine Chadborn December 27, 2014 at 11:05pm

That call happened to me! In middle of the night, someone called me, saying that all systems went out in the hotel and they need to re input all guests information. But, for my convenience they could take my info over the phone. I was soo sleepy and almost did that! Luckely I came to my senses in time and said I would come down to the desk. Needless to say, the person working had no idea what I was talking about. I am alone doing my shows, and that was a wake up call. I think someone was watching me, noticed I'm alone and targeted me. I did ask as many people as I could but no one else seemed to have gotten that call. So I always assumed that maybe even the person working there either called or gave someone my room number. It's a shame!
Peggy Whitson September 6, 2014 at 3:55pm

First thing I do ,is unplug the phone & stash it . Always use the chain on the door , at least it will make noise & prevent someone from entering with just a card .
Richard L. Sherer September 6, 2014 at 10:54am

Back in the 1970s I was doing geologic work around Superior, AZ and staying in a second rate motel ( but best in a mining town). Only door was sliding glass. It was locked on my side but a guy came around 1:00am and he was more scared of getting shot than I was startled. I moved the next day.
Jacki Bilsborrow August 25, 2014 at 1:11am

Thanks Barrie for the reminders. Sometimes we get too comfortable and let our guard down. I had not heard about these. We need to stay ahead of the scammers so that they don't get the best of us.

One of my fears is someone coming into my room during the night when I am sleeping. That did happen to me in Dayton, Ohio once. I usually end up putting a chair in front of the door figuring if someone came in they would crash into the chair and at least wake me up.
Tina Pietsch August 22, 2014 at 4:59pm

Our world is certainly changing and it's starting to really tick me off. I just had one of my cards hacked...but bank caught on, called me and I validated I was not in another state buying stuff. Has me seriously going back to cash where I can. One cannot be too careful anymore.
- Cindy Welch > Tina Pietsch September 5, 2014 at 10:17pm
  
  In our personal finances we use cash for a LOT of our every day purchases .... groceries, restaurants, clothing, etc. We got started on this lifestyle upon taking Financial Peace University, aka www.DaveRamsey.com. I don't like credit cards and much prefer cash because "they", whoever they are, cannot track your spending and movement habits about town.
  - Chris Hoyt > Cindy Welch September 18, 2014 at 7:19am
    
    I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey. I have since paid off all my credit cards and put them away, save one for hotel check in. Then I pay cash when leaving.
    
    My favorite line of his is "I have only four pieces of plastic in my wallet. My drivers license, my business debit card, my personal debit card, and my concealed carry permit."
    
    It's the same with me. I only have four pieces of plastic too. But instead of the concealed carry permit I have the one credit card. That's because here in Vermont you don't need a permit.
    - Cindy Welch > Chris Hoyt September 18, 2014 at 9:29am
      
      ^^^^ = like. sure wish we had a like button here.
      
      Chris, I knew I liked you for some reason. We are DR fans too. Gotta love a guy (DR) who became a multimillionaire, lost it all and did it all over again, but better the 2nd time around.
    - Barrie Lynn Bryant > Chris Hoyt September 18, 2014 at 8:52am
      
      Paying off the cc's is the way to go. Ramsey does have great financial advice.
      
      I've not considered carrying a weapon since being honorably discharged from the US Marines shortly after Desert Storm.
      - Chris Hoyt > Barrie Lynn Bryant September 19, 2014 at 7:21am
        
        I know this is off topic, but leftist Vermont is the most well armed state in New England. No, we don't walk around with a sidearm, but the fact is, we can.