[78-L] FW: (no subject)

[fnarf at comcast.net]

The three digits on the back of your card are for verification when the physical card is not present (like online or on the phone).

You should ALWAYS be asked for them online or on the phone, and NEVER when you've shown them the card. While it's true that this caller is "on the phone", he's claiming to be verifying a transaction that took place AT THE DESK. Hence, no three digits. If he asks for them, he is by definition a scammer.

Also, the hotel is going to discover whether there's a problem with the card when they're running it through the machine while you're standing there in front of them, not sometime later. When they hand the card back, the transaction is complete. If for some bizarre reason they needed to see it again, they would request you to come back down to the desk and show it to them, not read it over the phone.

In short, don't read your card number and three back digits to someone who called YOU, no matter whom they claim to be!



----- Original Message -----
From: "Cary Ginell" <soundthink at live.com>
To: "ARSC" <arsclist at loc.gov>, 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:31:38 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [78-L] FW: (no subject)


Just a warning for those staying in the hotel at ARSC.
 

 
 


 









Hotel Scam

This is kinda scary if only because of how simple it is. Reading this, 
we could have been caught. I'll bet this works all too 
Often.

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking 
in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the Charges for your 
 room).

You get to your room and settle in.

Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens 
to be your room). Your phone rings in your room.. You answer 
and the person on the other end says the following, 'This is the front desk".

When checking in, we came cross a problem with your charge card information. Please 
re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits Numbers at 
the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything you might give this person your information, since the 
call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam 
of Someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk.

They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information 
and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you 
are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you 
will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front 
desk and ask if there was a problem.

If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called 
to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.

This was sent by someone who has been duped......and is still clearing up the 
 mess....

P.S. Please everyone, help spread the word by forwarding this email to everyone 
you know. Who knows, you might just help someone avoid a nasty experience. 



 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2
_______________________________________________
78-L mailing list
78-L at klickitat.78online.com
http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l