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San Antonio hotels involved in massive credit card theft
If you have spent a night in San Antonio recently, be sure to keep an eye on your credit card statements. Information from 17,000 guests is reported to be involved in a large scale fraud with stolen receipts from 3 different hotels.
Authorities are declining to release the names of these hotels, pending their investigation, but a local newspaper identified one as the Emily Morgan Hotel.
So far, 7 people have been indicted on charges of identity theft and the possession of equipment to make or alter credit cards.
The whole thing probably boils down to criminals who worked at these hotels, and took printouts or copies of credit card receipts off premises with the sole purpose of using them for fraudulent purchases. The case even has some sort of tie to meth.
So, if you stayed in San Antonio, and used a credit card, be sure to keep an eye out for weird charges, and if you do happen to see something you did not authorize, contact your bank right away. In almost all cases, you won't be liable for these fraudulent charges, but you may have some paperwork involved in proving your case.
(Via: Chron.com)
Check out some of these weeeeeird hotels from around the world.
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
woody Feb 3rd 2009 8:32AM
People check your credit card statements.....I have a charge account with Citicard and they snuck in a huge increase on my interest rate from 11.99% to 18.99%...I was outraged and called customer service. The rep said they increased everyones interest because of the economy...I got the rate dropped to 13.99% but it still seemed unfair to me to increase the interest in light of the big bailout the govt gave the banking system...Check your statements....and COMPLAIN
Thomas Gilbert Feb 3rd 2009 8:53AM
Why on earth would anyone want to own or use a credit card. If you have money, you don't need one. If you don't have money, you certainly don't need one. I see someone on TV every once in a while saying. "I have twenty=five thousand dollars in credit card debt." That is stupid to start with. If you can't afford something, especially if it is not needed, don't buy it; especially on credit.
Scott Carmichael Feb 3rd 2009 8:57AM
There are some very good reasons to have a credit card; number one is the protection they offer. If you buy a ticket from an airline that ends up going bankrupt, you are out of luck if you paid with anything other than a credit card.
Also, many cards come with included car rental insurance, plus some car rental places won't even rent without a credit card. Some will accept a debit card, but will do a $1000 authorization on it.
Credit cards in general are not bad things, and not everyone with a credit card misuses it.
susan Feb 3rd 2009 9:27AM
Last May, I stayed at the Hyatt Regency-Rosemont, IL for 3 days. I only used my card once and that was to check in. I left Sunday and on Monday, checked my card balance online. Someone had already used my card to purchase an $800.00 round-trip flight to New York. The only person to have access to my card was the front desk clerk. I fought the charges and won but I am not sure if they ever caught the person who stole my info!
poser Feb 3rd 2009 9:39AM
I no longer will visit your country due to corruption,
the backward ways about you and many more factor's.
Your cities are falling apart and the FLUFF up front you seem to present is a farce and has no backbone.
Syn34 Feb 4th 2009 4:53AM
Hey Poser,
Your a dumbass and probably should stay in ur own damn country until you can learn how to insult my home in a more intelligent manner. lol.
Oh yeah, POSER (the name in itself says it all, yes?) Your screen name means a fake person, a wanna be somebody. Catch a clue dude. Every country has their share of problems. I feel quite confident in saying your country is not free of their own economic crisis. When the USA is in trouble that means the entire world will be affected in some way. Instead of taking pleasure in someone elses pain, maybe you should find more inventive ways to make sure that my country's economic crisis don't effect you and your family negatively and then make positive steps forward to investing in your future so maybe this won't hurt you and the ones you love too bad. Karma can be a biach!
usages Feb 3rd 2009 9:43AM
POSER...... I hear you... and agree, I am doing the same thing.
Lin Feb 3rd 2009 9:50AM
My thought, is if you had been in the area and used your credit card, you know what charges have been made. Call your bank and tell them of these charges and that nothing else should be authorized. They may need something in writing, but at least it could be a start to keep a complicated issue under control. You shouldn't have any problem with your bank complying to this, as they do not want to be stuck with any charges either.
Linda Feb 3rd 2009 10:03AM
Someone hacked into my files on my computer and stole my Visa and my regular Debit card numbers. I had no idea. VISA called me and questioned charges on my account. They caught it long before a lot of damage could be done but it set into motion 3 months of aggravation and inconvenience for me. I was able to obtain the email addresses (2) that online purchases were made, and one a shipping address for the merchandise they had gotten using my card. With VISA, you can call and listen to charges on your account--so if there is something unusual or you know you didn't make, you can do something about it faster. They told me to file a report with the local police, which I did, when I obtained the information on email and shipping address, I called VISA and gave the information to them as well as the police. I had to close my checking account and open a new one because they used it for purchases also. I let VISA, my bank, and the police handle it, but believe me, I am AWARE this can happen now, I don't keep a running balance on my VISA, and they saw unusual charges--pretty astute if you ask me, ALSO CALL all 3 credit bureau's and have your report FLAGGED for fraud. You know all those junk mail credit card applications we all get in the mail? They steal mail out of our mailboxes too..we had that happen--they stole out Bank Statement, went to our bank forged a stolen check and deposited it into the account then withdrew monies from our account. This turned out to be a theft ring in our area and they had hit 29 mail boxes in our area.
Keep your security devices up to date on your computer. BE AWARE that these theives are everywhere and one can never be too careful. Another word of caution, recently here in Denver, personal and sensitive information on people admitted through the emergency room at a local hospital was stolen and used for Identity theft. They were using a storage unit for all stolen documents, a man bought the contents at an auction, when he discovered what he had purchased he went to the police..was told to find a dumpster they weren't interested---UNTIL this man who purchased the contents of the unit went to the local NEWS station and talked with them, THEN the police got involved. Traced back to an employee of the hospital, who admitted to having stolen it, but claimed to not know where the info went after that. (yeah, right). The point is, one cannot be too careful.....a hospital of all places--when you are at your most vulnerable. Take care everyone, and BE AWARE. Pay attention to your personal business and information.
And good luck to all!
Kaye Feb 3rd 2009 10:12AM
To: Thomas Gilbert said... ~~~~~~ I agree that people should not get themselves into a situation where they get into a tremendous amount of debt, but there are definitely times when a charge card comes into play when you do not have the money to pay for it and Need one. At one time, I had transferred to Hawaii and not long afterward, transferred to Calif. These 2 trips cost me over $25K, which depleted my savings account. I had been injured at work and was on disability for a couple of years, and toward the end, leaving my income of $900. a month and my rent $1000., also with over $20K in medical bills the insurance didn't pay. I also had a mortgage elsewhere to pay. Obviously, I "had" to live off my charge card, just to pay my bills, and I might add they all were paid on time before the due date. Groceries were limited and had only spent about $300. (this was 17 years ago) for the entire year, but they went on a card. Once I finally was able to move back home, (more moving expenses) I had over $50K in cards. Not something that I liked, but was a neccessity. I'm glad to say, that times are better and I have no charge card debt. Had I not had these cards to work from for 3 years, I would not have been able to survive, or would have had my credit ruined, by not having the funds to pay everything. It is all about taking responsibility.
PAULZ Feb 3rd 2009 10:28AM
Anyone Buying the Acai - pure, berry,and others with there credit card is being scam for an additional 29.95 buy a company that doesn't exsist. www.fit-fac.com, Phone Number 866-407-1022 out of Nevada. If you call they will hang up on you or just let it ring. Check your billing reciept.
I GOT THREW TO THEM NO PROBLEM
pAULZ Feb 3rd 2009 10:32AM
THIS IS WHY I KEEP MY CARDS MAXED OUT
ccrdc5 Feb 3rd 2009 10:42AM
NEVER BEN THERE!
jack Feb 3rd 2009 11:23AM
Look, everyone has had a "bad" hotel experience. I also know that when you mis-place something that you always think it was the housekeeping staff that stole it.
Most guestroom door locks have a chip inside that will indicate the last person in or out of the room. If something is missing, ask hotel management to preform a "lock interrigation" on the lock. You will find out what key was used last to enter the room. ie: the guest key, maintenance key, housekeeping key etc...
Denise Feb 3rd 2009 11:04AM
ID Theft is the fastest growing crime in history acc to the FTC; 1 in 4 of us will be a victim by year end. If you do not as yet have ID Theft Insurance in place , you absolutely need to protect yourself and your family against these thieves. Be proactive. The effects of this crime are horrible. Most people do not understand how truly serious this is. There are 5 forms: medical, social security, criminal, financial, and DMV. I am an Identity Theft Risk Specialist, the company I represent is a 36 year old publicly traded company rated by many ID Theft authors as the most robust and solid insurance in North America. Lifelock is not the answer, they currently have 3 class actions law suits against them. They will only inform you if your name has been compromised and then the burden is on you to fix the mess. You need a company that will restore your good name. We do.
For information go to
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/dmcsheffrey
and if you would like to enter into this field and become an ID Theft Risk Specialist/Consultant go to:
www.greatcareerplan.com/?IDTheftRiskSpecialist
Denise Feb 3rd 2009 11:07AM
The proper website to learn how to become an Identity Theft Risk Specialist/Consultant is
http:www.greatcareerplan.com/?IDTheftRiskSpecialist
Help stop these thieves that are bringing many of us to our knees financially and emotionally.
The Government has passed new laws "The red Flag Laws" mandating companies to be compliant with concerning data management. There is a huge demand for ID Theft Consultants
valhallaarwen Feb 4th 2009 11:48AM
When I go to Orlando, I will only stay at the Disney Hotels because they have safes in the room. When I am out of town elsewhere, I will always kept my lock on my suitcase if I let maid service come in.
I was a victim of identity theft, I believe someone stole my checks from the post office (found out about it when I went to get money from my account). Went to the police, filed a report and everybody (including the bank helped me)
AutoRobot Feb 3rd 2009 1:00PM
And you wonder what all the illgals here in America r doing besides living off us for free yes they r here illegaly and do not pay taxes and have free medical so why not fk with us more . I say deport all of them and America can return to the Great Nation it was once
Nancy Feb 3rd 2009 1:32PM
A border state, filled with illegals...
jay paul Feb 3rd 2009 2:19PM
Funny thing, when I was a kid everyone paid by cash!
Wouldn't that be a novel idea?! Sure would cure a lot of ills in this world.