| Credit card fraud has run rampant over the years. | | | | Given the risks that come with using a credit card |
| And if you thought that gas stations, restaurants and | | | | upon booking or checking in into a hotel, one has to |
| shopping malls are the only ones who are victimized | | | | wonder: what steps can we take to avoid falling victim |
| by this scam, think again. Even hotels - with their tight | | | | to this fraudulent act. Well, luckily, there are a number |
| security and all -fall prey to this fraudulent act. | | | | of ways for us to safely transact using our credit |
| Now while some of us may think that the hotels are | | | | cards. Take some of the tips below. |
| not on top of these hackers' hit list, you might want to | | | | First, avoid giving out your credit card information to a |
| reconsider that train of thought. Based on a study that | | | | stranger or a dubious web site. Nowadays, hotels |
| was conducted by Trustwave's SpiderLabs, hotels are | | | | allow bookings to be done via the Internet or over the |
| subjected to credit card fraud 38 percent of the time. | | | | phone. So make sure that the site you are visiting |
| Following them are financial services, retail stores, food | | | | online or the number you just dialed are the legitimate |
| chains, business services, technology, education and | | | | contact information of the hotel you plan on staying |
| manufacturing establishments. | | | | with. |
| These results were gathered from a total of 218 | | | | Second, be wary of "Phishing" sites. These sites con |
| investigations, coming from 24 countries. The report | | | | people into thinking that they are actually the real deal |
| also indicated that once the scam has been | | | | by sending an e-mail bearing the name of the |
| perpetrated, it takes about 156 days for the victimized | | | | establishment. The e-mail will have a message |
| establishment to realize that they have been hit. The | | | | requesting for your personal information. Once you |
| sad part here is that, by the time both the hotel and | | | | reply, the information you placed will be sent to the |
| victim realized what has happened, the hackers would | | | | criminal's Phishing site, enabling them to use the data |
| miles away reaping on the rewards of their actions. | | | | for their personal needs. |
| So why do credit card thieves consider hotels to be | | | | So before you reach out and get your credit card to |
| more enticing of a target than any other types of | | | | pay for your booking online or via the front desk, make |
| establishments? Well, for one thing, hotels require you | | | | sure you have got all the bases covered. Get to know |
| to pay an advance to cover for the rooms and the | | | | the hotels and the people you are dealing with. That |
| amenities you plan on using. And since the amount for | | | | way, both you and the hotel you plan on staying in will |
| this fee is not that small, you will be forced to carry a | | | | not be another victim in long line of credit card fraud |
| rather huge sum in your person should you decide not | | | | cases. |
| to pay using your credit card. | | | | |