No matter where in the world your wanderlust (or career) may take you, one of the best things about traveling is staying in a hotel. There are so many beautiful hotels around the world with great service, amazing amenities, and striking architecture – and we’ve written about many of them. Even so, hotels can be a breeding ground for thieves and scammers. Here are the four top worldwide hotel scams:
Fake Menus
Great! A local pizzeria slipped their flier under your hotel room door, now you won’t have to look any further for dinner. False. You’re about to hand over your name and credit card info to an identity thief posing as a pizzeria. This run of the mill scam is so popular, it’s even seen at Disney World of all places. If you want some low-key food to order in, ask the hotel for a recommendation instead. Before ordering anything, always check with the front desk to see if these are legitimate restaurants, or use Google to find local restaurants, and pay in cash. Never use your credit card over the phone.
The Room Inspectors
Two people usually dressed up as hotel employees will knock on your door, saying they need to do a routine check of your room/smoke detector/etc. If you let them in, one will engage you in conversation to distract you while the other steals your valuables. Hotels never do room inspections while the guest is in the room. So, if this happens to you know it’s most likely a scam. Call the main desk and tell them what’s going on. This scam is very popular in Spain.
Credit Card Issues?
Another scary way to get your credit card information stolen is this common scenario; you give your CC info to the front desk to apply any room charges to, as always. Later, you get a call from the concierge asking to confirm your credit card info over the phone (a huge no-no), as there was a problem when they entered it. In reality, you’ve been contacted by someone who called the front desk and asked for a room number that happened to be yours, and they’re pretending to be the front desk to get your information and steal your identity. There’s no way to tell that the call is coming from outside the hotel, because the perpetrator puts on a professional front. To avoid this disaster, tell them you’ll come downstairs to confirm it in person. Then go down or call the front desk directly to make sure it’s legit. You may be half asleep and not in the mood, but it’s better than having your identity stolen.
Don’t Drink the Water
This scam happens a lot overseas. If you go to a hotel, usually in a third world country, you may see various signs around the hotel that say, “do not drink water” or “water not safe for consumption” and other things along those lines. When you go to the front desk to ask about the water, they’ll say that the water in the hotel isn’t safe, but they have fresh bottled water you can buy (at an obscene price). Or you might have bottled water already in your room upon arrival. When you check out of the hotel, you’ll see extra charges on your bill for the water. This is when your research comes in. In cases like this, the hotel is usually trying to scam you by making you buy their bottled water even though the water in your room is fine. Research to see if the city and country you’re in has safe drinking water or not. If it doesn’t, you’re still better off buying your own water locally than buying the hotel’s water.
Hotels can be one of the best parts about traveling, but always remember that scams can happen. Make sure to thoroughly research the country you’re visiting, and the hotel you’re staying at. Read hotel reviews to see what other people have experienced. If there’s ever a problem or a concern, don’t be afraid to go to the front desk.
I always avoid mini bar charges by asking if the items are free or chargeable. Overseas, many items were free. When I check out, I always ask for the clerk to check the mini bar so that there are not surprises on the bill.
That’s really smart!
I can agree with the water paragraph. I actually did that and didn’t see the little card on the table that said 5.50. Really? $5.50 for a bottle of water. Okay so I went to the gas station and bought the same exact one for $0.89 and there you have it. I’m sure that $4.61 mark-up is worth not having me back……EVER.
If you are staying in an area where the water is not safe, buy your bottled water BEFORE you get to the hotel. Buy it at a grocery store, that way it’s cheap.
Good idea! I think some hotels fill their own bottles with minimally-filtered tap water and sell it, so better to get spring water.
The front desk demands a credit card. The next day a call comes from the credit card asking if I used the card at a big box store 100 miles away. So I’m fearful of giving the credit card to the motel, but i have no choice.
You’re not responsible for those charges, but it’s a pain for sure. It’s hard to get a replacement card while you’re traveling!
Would it be so hard for Disney to have a person check the hotel room after the cleaning staff has been in there. If the flyers are there… fire that cleaning person.
Some good advice but I can never understand why people are so willing to give their credit card info over the phone! Bring some cash and pay for the pizza with cash!
If the hotel needed your credit card information, they would have gotten it at check in. I have never paid for a pizza over the phone. I have always paid cash to the delivery person. I wouldnt have it any other way.
Two things I always do when I get to a hotel: unplug the phone and unplug the clock. For an emergency, I have my cell phone, for the time and an alarm, I have my cell phone. If the hotel has a problem with something, it can wait until morning – and, come to think of it, they have my cell phone number.
What I don’t understand is how someone would know the moment you checked in and your room number to call and say there is a problem with your credit card. They would have to be standing in the lobby listening or have someone on the inside.
I think they just try every room…
I have worked as a front office manager, we charge your credit card upon check out, if you get a call from the front desk stating there is a problem processing your card after you check-in there is something definitely wrong…