[Vision2020] PR - Credit Card Scam Related to Lodging

[Stephanie Kalasz]

City of Moscow
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |  208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>

PRESS RELEASE
Credit Card Scam Related to Lodging

July 6, 2012 (Moscow, Idaho) - Visitors to local lodging establishments have been the victim of a common and frequent scam where a suspect calls a guest room and fraudulently attempts to obtain credit card information. In many instances the suspect is successful. This method of obtaining credit card numbers by fraudulent means is not new or unique in any tourist venue. The caller states he/she is from the hotel and informs the guest that there is a problem with the credit card on file, payment, etc. The caller will inform the guest a new method of payment is required and will request a credit card number along with other information such as exact name on the credit card, expiration date, etc.

Some of the methods that may be used to obtain guest personal information that may allow these types of calls may include but are not limited to:


  1.  Personal guest information left unattended and/or in view of the general public.
  2.  Not allowing enough distance for privacy between guests during transactions. This would include check-in/out areas as well as guest outlets.
  3.  Associates publicly using phones and inadvertently providing personal guest information where others may hear.
  4.  Guest luggage left unattended in public areas with the guest name on the luggage tag.
  5.  Fraudsters using house phones to randomly call guest rooms.
  6.  Fraudsters in or near pay phone and house phone areas for extended periods of time, and listening in on private guest conversations in an attempt to gain personal information.
  7.  Fraudsters loitering in or near guest pubic areas being attentive to the personal business of a guest or eliciting information from a guest.
  8.  Information compromised by the guest or unwittingly solicited to include at the lodging establishment or outside of the lodging establishment.

If you receive a phone call requesting credit card or any information discontinue the call and check with the front desk of the hotel/motel you are residing in.  Always verify the source first before providing any personal information.

For more information, please contact Chief of Police David Duke by phone at 208.883.7054 or by email at dduke at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:dduke at ci.moscow.id.us>.

###

Story Contact: David Duke, Chief of Police
Phone: 208.883.7054
Email: dduke at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:dduke at ci.moscow.id.us>


The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources.
We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.


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