Wallingford, CT –July 21, 2011 – BBB is warning hotel guests to beware of a phone scam to steal consumers’ credit card numbers.
Recently, a guest at a hotel in the Dallas area received a call in the middle of the night from a caller who claimed to be a hotel employee. The caller said the hotel “system had crashed,” and said the guest’s credit card number was needed for an audit.
The guest refused to give her credit card number, and called the front desk. She was told that the hotel did not make the call. The next morning she learned that several guests received similar calls.
Better Business Bureau advises consumers staying at hotels to be alert for this scam. Don’t give your credit card information over the phone to someone you don’t know. Hotels will handle any questions about billing at the front desk, not over the phone.
If you have any doubt about a call from someone claiming to be with the hotel, hang up and call the front desk directly.
For tips on avoiding identity theft and what to do if you’ve been a victim of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s
Identity Theft website.
To
check the reliability of a company and
find trustworthy businesses, visit
BBB online.
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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust.
BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org/.
