Motel Hell

Forum guidelines BT super discount
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Motel Hell Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2006-05-04 2:36 PM

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: Motel Hell

I just read this in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, definatly something worth condsidering...

 

 

Motel Hell
 
Here's a heads-up if you'll be traveling to events this season and staying overnight. We've received it from several sources, one by way of a police department, so we trust it's true and worth considering.
 
You know those electronic cards that motels (and hotels) use instead of actual room keys? Here's what's encoded on the one you receive during check in: your name, home address, room number, check in/out dates, and your credit card number with expiration date.
 
When you return the card during checkout, your personal information can be seen by anyone that puts the card into the motel's scanner. A dishonest employee could take cards home and use a scanning device to transfer data to a PC. Your personal info stays on the card until it's overwritten for another person checking in.
 
The potential problem, of course, is identity theft. The solution is not to return the card when checking out. According to the info sent to RBR, it is "illegal" for a motel to charge you for a card that you keep.
 
Don't just throw it away later. Cut the card into one or more pieces, making sure to slice through the data strip

2006-05-04 2:39 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Pro
3906
20001000500100100100100
St Charles, IL
Subject: RE: Motel Hell

Rumor:

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/hotelkey.asp



Edited by coredump 2006-05-04 2:46 PM
2006-05-04 3:09 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Elite
2768
20005001001002525
Raleigh
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
I thought this thread was abou tthe old scary movie by the same name
2006-05-04 3:25 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Elite
3201
20001000100100
South Florida
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
I read it wrong and thought it was about Montel Williams.

Oh - and I love Snopes!
2006-05-04 3:29 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Master
4101
20002000100
Denver
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
That's completely false. I used to work at a hotel and can tell you that the only thing thats encoded is the time period the key is valid for.
2006-05-04 6:26 PM
in reply to: #415034

Champion
8903
500020001000500100100100100
Subject: RE: Motel Hell

I bring my own slim-jim with me so I don't need a key!

 

2006-05-04 6:43 PM
in reply to: #415034

Expert
615
500100
Brisbane
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
Taking your credit card details at check-in is purely an internal policy. You are free to use cash deposits and pay for your room in cash. I deal with complaints like this on a daily basis, and legally there is nothing a hotel can do if you refuse to provide a credit card deposit. If you have the time and inclination to argue the point with the reception staff and get a manger involved, go right ahead. They certainly don't want to lose face over your personal decision not to play by their rules. You have more chance ofidentity theft by using your credit card in a restaurant when you hand it over from your table.

I have "CHECK ID" on my cards so when I hand it over the cashier asks also for my drivers license, that way if I was to lose it, and it was attempted to be used by someone who is not me they have no signature to try and copy.

Most people assume there is no alternative option. Remember the customer is always right and has the last say whether they continue with the transaction.

Edited by Downunderman 2006-05-04 6:47 PM
2006-05-04 6:44 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Champion
34263
500050005000500050005000200020001001002525
Chicago
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
With my new-found triathlon strength I just kick doors in. Or go through the wall. It's quicker and requires less brainpower.
2006-05-04 8:46 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Master
1914
1000500100100100100
Finally north of the Mason-Dixon Line
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
Talk about Hotel Hell. This is my brother and what happened to him in NYC. True story of what happened.

He won a law suit in CA a few years back against Footlocker - or some shoe store - when they demanded to see photo id to name check a credit card. He found some CA law that states name checking is illegal and that only signature on card and receipt can be checked. Even if you write "ask for ID" on card, the company can not ask for ID. What did he win for this law suite you ask - footlocker or whatever shoe company it was, donated thousands of dollars in the form of sneakers to inner city boy/girl clubs, YMCA's etc...

He also won a law suit in PA regarding PA state law mandating you provide your SSN on gun applications.... he's BIG into the whole privacy issue.

http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/139


Cathleen

Edited by houston-tri-mamma 2006-05-04 8:47 PM
2006-05-04 9:45 PM
in reply to: #415034

User image

Expert
957
5001001001001002525
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
As far as the "Check ID" on credit cards, at least here in the US, the card is not valid if not signed.
But the whole signature thing is becoming non-issue, given all of the card swipe machines that the customer uses, and either enters a PIN or signs using that machine, meaning the cashier never even gets more than a very brief look at the card if any.
2006-05-11 9:28 AM
in reply to: #415034

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Motel Hell

And there we go...

---CORRECTION! Our warning last week ("Motel Hell" about personal information being encoded on motel/hotel plastic key cards was unnecessary. It's a false alarm based on incorrect information that originated from the Pasadena (CA) Police Department several years ago. Numerous internet worrywarts (like RBR) have taken the warning seriously and spread it through cyberspace. Many of you knew better; we received more e-mail about this mistake than about anything we've published. Authorities say that the magnetic strip on a key card contains no personal information, just the room number and the dates the card will work. So you don't need to worry about identity theft if a bad guy gets your card before it's re-coded for the next guest. You still have the option, though, of keeping the card and disposing of it as you see fit. We apologize for this Chicken Little episode. On the plus side, we learned of two internet sites that specialize in giving the straight skinny on urban myths of all types: http://www.snopes.com and http://www.truthorfiction.com

2006-05-11 10:09 AM
in reply to: #415034

Pro
4040
2000200025
Subject: RE: Motel Hell
Motel Hell: It takes all kinds of critters to make farmer Vincent fritters.

I remember that so well from the add in the newspaper! I was too young to go see it though.
New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Motel Hell Rss Feed