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.
Lesson learned: Never give your credit card info to hotel staff over the phone. Always do it at the front desk, person-to-person.
Let’s protect us from online booking scams! It’s always safest and best to book directly with the hotel
Never again will I book a car, hotel, or airline ticket to the thieves running third party booking scams. the good old yellow pages work.
Rule #1. Never trust anyone you don’t know. They are only looking out for their best interest, not yours.
Rule #2. See rule #1.
Rule #3. Live by these rules; you will probably be fairly safe.
😉
My boyfriend and I booked at this resort-spa with a room-spa package. Once we got there, we never got the spa package, and after complaining, they say we can avail it on a later date. But after calling them for an appointment, we can contact them anymore.
Some online sites that books hotel are also scams. After booking, you won’t get what you paid for once you get there!
I’m more concerned with key cards that are scanned at the front desk. multiple times I have been assigned rooms only to walk in and find other people’s stuff. fortunately for them I am honest but they have no idea I was in their room.
If I ever meet anyone who involved themselves w/ hotel phone call scams, I’d probably run them over with my car.
This is why research is always better. Read reviews of the place before checking in. Always be careful!
Those water stories are hotel’s another form of scam and marketing strategy. It’s better to bring one your own than buy from them. Cheaper and much safe!