How The Scam Works:
This scam could happen to you at any hotel you stay at, whether is for work or vacation. It's been hitting all continents, as criminals are restless in finding travelers and victimize them on a regular basis. Don't fall for it. How does the scam work?
Watch the video below to see the Hotel Receptionist Scam exposed:
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Imagine this scenario: You are at your hotel and just settle down in your room, after a long trip. You are tired and all you need is a good rest.
The hotel room phone rings. "Hi, this is Mary from reception downstairs, sorry to bother you. We're having trouble with your credit card–the numbers can't be processed adequately. Would you mind double checking it with me so that we can do it manually?" "Sure. Do you want me to come downstairs?", you say. She responds, "I wouldn't want to disturb you more than I already have. Just read me the numbers and I'll make sure they're accurate."
Unfortunately, "Mary" is not working for the hotel; she is working for your money, and she's done a pretty darn good job of getting all she needs. Scammers usually call room numbers non-stop, until they find somebody who just settled in and really believe the card transaction didn't go through.
Although the hotel's real staff has nothing to do with it, the Hotel Receptionist Scam hurts the hotel's reputation, as many tourists blame the chain on the Internet, on platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor.
How To Avoid The Hotel Receptionist Scam:
Simply head down to reception if you receive a call like this. This way you can be sure that whoever you're talking to is a real clerk.
How To Protect Yourself More:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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Damned scammers never stop bothering the public. In Singapore they would have been caned for good.
Thanks! This is the first time I have heard of this scam.
While staying at a hotel in New Orleans, I got a call from someone claiming to be from the front desk. He said their computer crashed and needed my info to re enter. He was very personable.
He needed my name, address, phone number, email address, and credit card number including the security code that I used to book the room. He said the manager was sorry to bother every guest and that there would be a 25% refund to my card for the inconvenience.
I was confused but gave him the info ( like a jerk) it was only after I hung up that I realized it was probably a scam.
The next day I received an email from my credit card company asking if I approved a western union transaction of $98.95 I said no and called the Credit card company and cancelled my card. Since he has my email address I received an email from FBI ( yeah right) saying they want to refund all the money from the scammers. Since there was nothing paid out I know it was just another attempt to get more info from me.
I am changing my email address and all my bank account numbers today. Please let everyone know if your confused by a caller, hang up and call the (in this case the front desk) and verify before you give any info out.