Hotel Scam

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Hotel Scam - This is one I would have fallen for

 

Creativity wow    This is one of the best scams I've heard about.

 

You arrive at your hotel and check in  at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room).

 

You go to your room and settle in.   All is good.

 

The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room

620 - which happens to be  your room.

 

The 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 across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card  numbers and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of  your charge card.'

 

Not thinking anything wrong, since the  call seems to come from the front desk you oblige. But actually, it  is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel. They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and  address information. They sound so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk.

 

If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone tried 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, consider  spreading the word by spreading this information

 Who knows, you  might just help someone avoid a nasty experience.

 

ANYONE travelling should be aware of  this one

 

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

I am not sure how old this scam is but it makes me pleased that my credit card uses a chip and pin.  Doesn't everyone's these days?

[robert k]

I would not fall for this one but I can see where someone else would. I can also see where they could order a bunch of stuff online readily convertable to cash and be long gone before you see the charge on your statement. Added protection is that my card issuer e-mails me when a charge looks even the slightest bit out of line. Here in the US I have to punch in my pin and my zipcode even to pay at the pump when I buy gas.

[Daydreamer]

Added protection is that my card issuer e-mails me when a charge looks even the slightest bit out of line

Mine calls me on cellphone and asks that I verify the charges :thumbsup:

[robert k]

I get the e-mail notifications on my phone as well as on my computer.

[JJReyes]

This is a common scam with many variations. My preference is to pay cash for hotel and other bills in the Philippines. The rooms are pre-paid when booking online and when the hotel clerk request for a credit card for other charges, I tell them to place a hold on my account so I can't charge services to my room. If they insist, I offer to leave a cash deposit with the hotel.

 

In the United States, your liability limit is $50 if your credit card is scammed. Does anyone know if there is a similar limit if the credit card is issued in the Philippines.

Edited August 28, 2014 by JJReyes

[northtoalaska]

"I am not sure how old this scam is but it makes me pleased that my credit card uses a chip and pin."

 

There are 3 items usually required for a non-sigature transaction: card #, 3 (or 4 for AMEX) secuirty code, and experiation date. (Sometimes there is a fourth — billing address, ie. zip/postal code)

 

So, when you order something from the internet using your C/P card you have to enter your pin, a fourth (fifth) parameter? (I'm assuming that that isn't the case as when I have ordered items online in the UK or France I've never been asked for a C/P "pin".)

Edited August 30, 2014 by northtoalaska

[Americano]

I only use cash for hotels and all purchases in the Philippines so this scam doesn't effect me. Its good to know about it though.

 

A few years ago I used my Master Card to make an on-line purchase from a company in China. The payment of the order was not approved so I contacted Master Card and was told for your protect we don't make any payments to companies in China. I feel the same way about the Philippines.  Too many scammers to trust people with your credit card or debt card information.

Edited August 30, 2014 by Americano

[JJReyes]

American Express and Mastercard won't process my use of their credit cards in the Philippines without my confirming authorization either through a mobile phone or email message. Since I prefer to pay in cash, the additional precaution is seldom needed. The hotel might make an imprint or login my credit card information on their computer to guarantee payment, but they cannot activate a charge. At check-out, I ask for the imprint and destroy it or request that they delete my credit card information from their computer. 

 

Hotels in the Philippines actually prefer cash since they don't have to pay credit card fees. The situation in the United States is different. We have stayed at RV parks where credit card payment is required. I guess the owners have had problems where visitors pay in cash and the transaction is never recorded.

[MikeB]

American Express and Mastercard won't process my use of their credit cards in the Philippines without my confirming authorization either through a mobile phone or email message.

Just curious - is this something you set up with Amex and the other one or is that their policy? I've used my Amex and MC many times here and they've never contacted me. With the MC I keep the travel advisory up to date or I believe the charge would be declined. Amex doesn't require that although I very seldom use it because of the foreign transaction fees.