BEWARE: Disney Hotel Guests Targeted By Scam Artist

[GrumpyFan]

Beware, even on vacation at Walt Disney World. Or, ESPECIALLY on vacation at Disney World!

This was reported on a couple different news outlets in Orlando.

From: Local6.com

Disney Hotel Guests Targeted By Scam Artist

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Police are searching for a scam artist who has conned Disney hotel guests out of hundreds of dollars in recent weeks, Local 6 has learned.

Sheriff's deputies said they believe a con man is hanging out in a hotel lobby on Disney property, listening in on conversations and then making a phone call to the victim's room to scam them.
At least nine guests have been targeted, officials said.

Massachusetts resident Catherine Maybie said she checked into the Polynesian Resort on Jan. 17 and was soon contacted by a person offering a great deal.

"We're in the room and someone calls us and said they had a deal for us," Maybie said. "For $10 a person, (we) could go to the Polynesian Luau or Hoopie-Doo Review (shows)."

Maybie said the man knew her name and room number so she offered to pay.
"It was stupid of me," Maybie said. "I should have said, 'You already have my credit card number.' But I gave him my credit card again."

The man told Maybie to wait 24 hours before picking up her tickets at the front desk.

She said when she went to pick up the tickets, they did not exist. Soon after, Maybie found $1,500 worth of fraudulent charges on her credit card.

Disney officials said cards have been placed next to the phones in rooms to remind guests to protect their credit card information and that cast members will never call them asking for their credit card numbers.

 

[annie1995]

Its always something now adays

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) This is a scam that is VERY EASY to pull off.
2) CM's are taught to say the guest's name at least 3-times.
3) CM's are even graded on well they do this.
4) Most CM's actually say the room number and give directions to the room.
5) Even if the CM doesn't say the number, guests often repeat it.
6) Plus, it is written is LARGE numbers on the resort map.
7) Standing anywhere near a guest, you easy overhear
. . . check-in guest first and last name
. . . first and last name of every person in the room
. . . age of all children in the room
. . . the guest's room number (from guest or CM)
. . . plans of when the guest might not be in the room *

* date/time of HDDR, arrangements for meal times/locations, special events (like sleigh rides)

NOTE: Crooks can easily gain access to resort lobbies and acquire a wealth (no pun intended) of guest information. If they pick Deluxe Resorts, there are enough lobby activities that their lurking would not be noticed, like they would be noticed hanging around an All Stars lobby.

 

[mitros]

Let the buyer beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it always is. Bye bye, bucks..........