- Bet you've never given a second thought to those plastic
insert keys to your room you're given when you register at a hotel or motel
these days. Law enforcement officers in California made an unsettling
discovery
during a recent investigation into an identity theft case. A card key (from
the Double Tree Hotel) had encoded on it the customer's name, partial home
address, room number, check in/out dates, credit card number and expiration
date!
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- This may not seem to be a problem until you realize that,
once you turn the key in when you check out your personal information is
available for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the
hotel scanner. An employee can take a handful of cards home and, using
a scanning device, access your information and then go shopping at your
expense!
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- Hotel room key cards are kept in a drawer at the front
desk and are not erased until the card is re-issued to a new guest. This
means your personal information is sitting there, just waiting to be
taken.
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- David Wolf, a deputy DA with the Kern County District
Attorney's Office suggests you never leave your key card behind. Don't
turn it in at the front desk when you check out. Instead, take it with
you and destroy it. You won't be charged for the card and you'll have
protected
yourself from this potential leakage of your personal data.
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- About the Author
- Laura Quarantiello is the author of the book "On
Guard - How to Win the War Against the Bad Guys" - your personal guide
to safety and security for yourself, family and property.
-
- Click below for more info
- http://www.tiare.com/onguard.htm
-
- Crime Prevention Articles By Laura Quarantiello
- http://www.tiare.com/c_crime.htm
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