Hotel Guests Warned of Scam to Swipe Credit Card Info

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A phone scam aimed at stealing credit card information from hotel guests is something that Annapolis residents and visitors need to guard against, warns the Annapolis Police Department.

The Better Business Bureau says the scam is being reported across the country. Scammers call guests in a hotel late at night claiming to be the “hotel staff,” which has lost the guest’s credit card number. The guest is asked to give out their credit card number again, by phone for their convenience, to complete their room charge.

A suspicious guest went to the front desk to confirm the call and learned the caller was a scammer trying to steal her information.

There are three variations on this call, says the agency:

• The hotel has 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.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Never give your credit card or banking information over the phone to someone you don’t know.
• Hang up and call the front desk if you’re staying at a hotel and get a call from someone claiming to be a hotel employee. Better yet, go down to the front desk. Chances are the call didn’t come from the hotel.
• Remind friends and family not to provide credit card information over the phone during a hotel stay.