A security expert has warned of a widespread scam that many hotels are exposed to, and their money is stolen.
A disguised scam carried out in hotels around the world leads many to give out their credit card details without thinking twice. Security expert Cathy Padres warns the public about the scam and discovers that the number of victims there are more than you can imagine, according to Walla.
And she said in a video she posted on “Tik Tok” that the scam is done through a phone call coming to your hotel room from the “reception” claiming that the credit card you used at check-in was “rejected or lost”.
Many believe that this is actually one of the receptionists and they simply re-enter their credit details on the call, even though it is actually an outside call.
In the video, we see Padres sitting in bed, when suddenly the phone rings and the fraudster tries to trick her into giving her credit card details on the phone.
In the video, she says, “Beware of this scam! If you’re staying in a hotel and you get a call from someone saying they’re at the front desk and your credit card is rejected or lost – it’s probably a scam.”
She added: “Don’t give out credit card details over the phone. Instead, hang up and call the front desk in person and report the call. You’ll also need to check your balance.”
@cathypedrayes
Reactions to the video show that many have been subjected to this scam, and one of them wrote in the comments, “I work in a hotel and this is very true. Beware. Do not give such information over the phone.”
Another wrote: “It happened to me! He cheated on me. He knew exactly how much room I ordered, so I trusted him.”
Pedres shares another way you can steal your hotel credit card information — she says if you find a restaurant delivery menu near your door — don’t be tempted to call the number on it and order food, because you’ll still be hungry and without a credit card.
She recommends checking online if this restaurant exists and whether it has its number and in principle recommends using apps designed to order food for the hotel and not giving out the credit card number over the phone.