The Haney Group
Travel season is in full swing, and as always, you should be cautious about keeping your money safe when you are away from home.
Being alert when you're wandering around town is always recommended, but did you know you could also be scammed from right inside of your hotel room? Crooks are more than ready to pounce on unsuspecting visitors and are using tricky methods to steal credit card numbers.
Learn the inner workings of how these fraudsters operate and avoid having your information stolen and your vacation ruined.
Phony Restaurant Flyers
Because hotels charge a ridiculous amount for room service, many budget-conscious travelers will opt for ordering from a nearby restaurant -- grabbing the first menu they see wedged in their door. When you call to order and decide to make the purchase with your credit card, you must give the card number over the phone.
If the transaction is fraudulent, your delicious meal will never arrive. The folks on the other end of those calls eagerly wait for your credit card information, which is used to make fraudulent purchases.
If you're unsure about whether the flyer is fake, just pay a little more and order room service, or do a quick online search to ensure the restaurant is in fact, legit.
Fake Wi-Fi
It's always a big plus when the hotel offers Wi-Fi in your room at no extra cost. Many times, having access to the Internet is valuable, as it helps with researching nearby activities, sightseeing, where to eat, and in general, mapping out your excursions.
However, you may be connected to a dummy network, even though it was labeled "Free Hotel Wi-Fi." These types of networks are actually just a mobile hotspot that was created by a cyber-thief, who is closely monitoring your browsing, and quite possibly, stealing your sensitive information, especially if you are making an online purchase wi