Staying in hotels, especially during vacations or business trips, can be a pleasant experience. However, travelers need to be aware of the increasingly crafty scams targeting hotel guests. One recent incident in Las Vegas serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to be vigilant and protect your personal information. Here’s a real story about how a hotel guest almost fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam, and what you can do to avoid similar situations.

The Setup: A Seemingly Helpful Hotel Call

It was a typical Sunday morning in Las Vegas for one guest. He had opted to stay at a more affordable, no-name hotel just off the famous strip to save some money. It wasn’t fancy, but it had great reviews and served its purpose—clean, comfortable, and convenient. However, just as he and his companions were packing up to leave at around 10:30 a.m., the hotel room phone rang.

On the other end of the line was a man claiming to be the hotel manager. He explained that the hotel’s computer system was temporarily down, causing delays in processing guest checkouts. The caller, sounding professional, asked the guest to confirm his room number and offered an extended checkout as a gesture for the inconvenience. To sweeten the deal, he also offered to comp the least expensive night of their stay—a tempting offer when you’re dealing with the tail end of a Las Vegas hangover.

The Red Flag: A Request for Credit Card Information

At this point, the story still sounded legitimate. The hotel guest, feeling relieved at the thought of skipping the checkout line, agreed to the extended checkout and was ready to take the offer. But then came the request that raised alarm bells: the “manager” asked him to confirm his credit card number over the phone.

That’s when the guest started to feel uneasy. Instead of complying, he hesitated and insisted that he’d rather provide his credit card details in person at the front desk. The man on the other end of the line became defensive, repeatedly assuring the guest that he was indeed the manager and emphasizing the need to speed up the process. Still, the guest stuck to his decision and went down to the front desk to sort things out.

The Discovery: It Was All a Scam

When the guest arrived at the front desk, he found out the shocking truth—he had nearly fallen victim to a phone scam. The hotel’s actual staff confirmed that their computer systems were working just fine, and they had not placed any calls to guests. In fact, scammers were dialing hotel rooms at random, pretending to be staff members, in the hopes of collecting credit card details and personal information from unsuspecting guests.

The scam was cleverly orchestrated. The absence of a caller ID on the hotel phone made the call seem genuine, and the tone of professionalism and accommodation made it hard to question. But had the guest given out his credit card number over the phone, he could have easily been defrauded.

How to Protect Yourself from Hotel Scams

Hotel scams are becoming more elaborate, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your personal information. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe while traveling:

1. Never Share Personal Information Over the Phone

No matter how legitimate a phone call may seem, never share your credit card details or personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call yourself. Hotel staff will typically handle these matters in person or through official communication channels.

2. Always Verify Calls from the Front Desk

If you receive a call claiming to be from the hotel, especially one asking for sensitive information, hang up and call the front desk yourself or visit them in person. This simple action can help you verify whether the call was legitimate or part of a scam.

3. Be Wary of Requests for Credit Card Information

Even if the caller sounds professional, always be skeptical when someone asks for your credit card details. Hotels generally already have this information on file, so there should be no reason for them to request it again over the phone.

4. Look Out for Caller ID or Lack of It

One key detail in this scam was the lack of a caller ID on the hotel phone. While this may seem trivial, a missing or blocked caller ID should raise suspicion. If the call is truly from the hotel’s front desk, their number should display correctly.

5. Decline Offers That Seem Too Good to Be True

If an offer sounds too good to be true—like a free night’s stay or an extended checkout without reason—trust your gut. Scammers often lure their victims with promises that sound appealing but are designed to extract information quickly.

6. Keep Your Information Secure

It’s always good practice to safeguard your credit card information and other sensitive details while traveling. Keep your card secure, and don’t leave personal information lying around in your hotel room.

The Reality: Hotel Scams Are More Common Than You Think

This story is a reminder that scams targeting hotel guests are more common than many travelers realize. Scammers often prey on guests who are distracted, tired, or unfamiliar with the area. Whether it’s a phone scam like the one in this story or other methods such as fake Wi-Fi networks or phishing emails, criminals are becoming more adept at using technology to target unsuspecting travelers.

Being informed and staying vigilant is your best defense against these threats. Always question unsolicited calls, especially those that involve your personal or financial information. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and verify any requests with hotel staff in person.

Conclusion: Stay Safe and Share This Story

While traveling can be fun and exciting, it’s essential to be aware of the risks involved, especially when it comes to protecting your personal information. This hotel guest’s close call serves as a valuable lesson: don’t be afraid to say no or to verify suspicious requests, even if the person on the other end of the line seems legitimate.

Share this story with fellow travelers to help spread awareness and ensure that others don’t fall for similar scams. The next time you check into a hotel, remember to stay alert, safeguard your personal information, and never share your credit card details unless you’re sure of who you’re dealing with. Safe travels!