Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Your hotel room safe: not as safe as you think
Most travel safety tips suggest that you should always remember to leave your valuables in the hotel safe. But just how "safe" is it? A new video posted by consultant skyrangerpro suggests that your hotel safe may not be as secure as you think.
Posted while skyranger was on travel in Markham, Ontario (hotel name not specified), the electronic safety boxes that allow you to program your own four digit codes opened with the default code of all zeroes, usually 0000. This standard safe looks just like most of the ones we've found in our hotels across the country.
It's a valuable lesson for travelers who think they are being secure with their valuables - check to make sure this password isn't your default setting before storing goods in your safe. If it is, opt to check your goodies at the front desk (where another safety box is usually available).
Our intrepid gear reporter Scott Carmichael wrote about the hotel safe issue back in 2009, and suggested a worthwhile but expensive alternative - a personalized locking device. Sean McLachlan suggested ways to hide valuables around your hotel room.
Tell us, which tactic would you take?
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations, Video, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 4)
Matthew Sep 7th 2011 9:13AM
It's a travel site. What do you want them to talk about on a travel site? A comparison of name brand shampoos vs. generic shampoos?
Moron.
Notme Sep 7th 2011 10:30AM
@John: Actually, one would think that for the most part, people reading articles on a blog dedicated to travel would oh I don't know, be interested in travel and either CAN afford to do so, or are saving up so they CAN do so. You know, the logical assumption about such a blog site.
ronald mcdonald Sep 7th 2011 11:32AM
This guy must be a democrat
Paula Sep 7th 2011 12:48PM
What's your point? Jackass.
tistyen Sep 7th 2011 12:48PM
Actually, this is useful information for anyone who travels on business as well. When I travel for my tradeshow, I have things like my laptop (and my iPod and Kindle for after hours) that I normally leave in the room safe while I'm manning the registration desk. It's good to know that those safes may not be as secure as you think they are.
Sneely Sep 7th 2011 1:23PM
Not everyone that stays in a hotel room is there for vacation either.... Alot of people stay in them for business and alot of the time they do have valuables.
sdgirl1585 Sep 7th 2011 9:04AM
I work for security at a resort that uses electronic safes. Our safes do not open with a default code of 0000, rather, we have an electronic handheld device that connects to the phone jack in our safes to which we have to put a code in to open it. All of the security officers in my department have our own codes so that is something happens, it is linked back to us (like if someone has the bright idea to go in someone's room and hack into their safe (which we would have to open their room door with our own key card, also linked back to us). It is all checks and balances, designed to proctect us, and the guest.
Ben Sep 7th 2011 2:39PM
Yes, I am a security officer at a timeshare we have these safes the guest can program there own personal code just known to them. At times the safe cannot be opend something jams inside. We have a computer to and put a phone line M into jack we have a personal code to open the safe. Also for some reason the computer cannot open it we had a key under lock and only certain staff has access to it. Maintenance will come with security he will replace batteries eventhe electiic brain inside. Safe is locked again try using computer works we leave
The policy is that no employee will enter a occuiped unoccuipied room without the guest being there. Plus we have a master key to open the door something does happen a key intergation will be conducted showing the key number and assigned too
eltrip Sep 7th 2011 1:19PM
I checked in the Flamingo in LV 3 months ago and the room safe (similar to this one) was locked. Called front desk and a guy came around with some sort of computer and attached a cable to the USB port at the bottom of this safe. He opened it and cleared the previous occupants password.
Blondie Sep 7th 2011 2:07PM
^5 on your post.
In any case the guest should always check the safe first with a password before placing any items in there.
Check the 0000 theory just to be sure your really safe.There are housekeepers that come in that room when your not there and some are not honest.Even though it can be traced through room keys,there is nothing to say that you even had that item in your room safe.Their presence in your room can be justified.Best way to avoid all this is leave your valuables in safety deposit box at the bank or if you must travel with them ask for the Manager of the Hotel and have them put them in their safe there.
Mary Sep 7th 2011 9:54AM
Just lock in your suitcase
Harry Hurt Sep 7th 2011 10:42AM
Leave your valuables in your hometown's local bank safety deposit box. Don't leave them at home, to be stolen by burglars. You don't need valuable jewelry on your vacation. Travel without them.
safeguy123 Sep 7th 2011 9:57AM
How irresponsible of an editor to let some bozo write an article suggesting that all hotels in the world have the same default code after one safe in one hotel room of one hotel had a guessable default. The lack of imagination on the part of whomever programmed that partiular safe is questionable; not indicative of the security of hotel room safes in general. Defaults are in place to protect the asset of the hotel, not for a burglar's success. Ask the casino you're staying at: what are the odds that a crook will guess the default or the customer set code versus them finding all your "hiding places"? In any situation, a room safe is designed to keep the average person away from your valuables; a professional thief is going to get in the safe (or just take the safe), it's management's job to ensure no such yegg is on the property.
notme Sep 7th 2011 2:00PM
And how absurd for someone to read WAY too much into the article and somehow get that they are saying ALL safes use 0000 as a default code. Oh well, I guess people wish to read what they WANT from a short blog post, as opposed to what was really posted.
Rock Garramone Sep 7th 2011 10:48AM
Usually the manufacturer of the safe makes the pass code all zeros. It's up to the purchaser to change it. If the pass code is all zeros in a hotel you are staying at, then it was the hotel who dropped the ball with this issue.
Edd Sep 7th 2011 9:58AM
I stayed in a hotel in Dallas last year nad had trouble with my combo for the safe. Opening it required staff to come in with a small handheld computer which according to the tech logged who opened which safe and when. So there are more secure options available to these hotels.
If you find this "0" trick works complain about it. They are cutting corners with your security
Yve Sep 9th 2011 11:10AM
I just came off a Carnival Crusie all the staterooms on the ship have security safes that you must use your credit card to open and close the safes.
I would like to know how does the cruise lines open the safes when a guest loses or misplaces their credit card.
Mike Sep 7th 2011 11:28AM
Excelnet report. Thank you so much. This is a value report that anyone should be aware of.
MIKE Sep 7th 2011 5:26PM
I once had the room safe battery go dead and the management had to drill it out ! Two people had to sign out the equipment to do this, it was not something you could do without this special stuff. It was more of a job than I would have thought. After this I felt they are safer than I thought they were. Still better not to travel with valuables.
Lynne Sep 7th 2011 4:10PM
I had valuables stolen from an in-room hotel safe at the Marriott Hotel on Coronado Island in San Diego, California when I was there on business. The safe was locked, I double checked it when I put the things inside but when I went to retrieve my things a couple of days later, they were gone..cash and jewelry and the safe was still locked. Noone else had the passcode I chose but myself. The hotel took no responsibility for the loss and offered no comps or anything to ease the sting. I had an awful time tracking down the hotel manager to speak to her about the event. Since that experience, I no longer trust or use in-room safes.