Disney cast member caught skimming credit card numbers

[JimC]

On local news. Worked at OKW and SSR at check-in. Used skimmers to steal guest credit card numbers, which she then sold. Disney improving its monitoring of cast members.

 

[spiceycat]

if they don't have any information how do they know it is 173 guests and not thousands?

 

[JimC]

I suspect that is based on the investigation by law enforcement and credit card fraud units.

 

[bwvBound]

Ohhhhhh! My husband's card was lifted during our visit last Dec. We thought we only used it for snacks at Liberty Square ... perhaps we also used it at the SSR check-in. (We don't charge anything to the room ... so there were no SSR charges on our later review of the credit card statement.)

 

[JimC]

Someone skimmed my credit card last week.Found out about it when fraud unit called Sunday while on vacation. Had to close account. Fraudulent charges were mostly Internet and required shipping of goods so I am hopeful that they will be able to catch some part of the criminal chain.

 

[twinklebug]

I realize this was just 1 or two bad eggs out of a thousand, but now do we need to ask for the desk manager to watch the CM scan our cards? I'm serious.... they take our card and swipe it down out of sight.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I realize this was just 1 or two bad eggs out of a thousand, but now do we need to ask for the desk manager to watch the CM scan our cards? I'm serious.... they take our card and swipe it down out of sight.

I wouldn't worry about it. It may be a little pain in the rear, but you're not responsible for the charges if you report it promptly.

MG

 

[JimMIA]

if they don't have any information how do they know it is 173 guests and not thousands?

The law enforcement agency would not have any idea how many cards were skimmed unless they seized the main actor's computer with all the data still intact.

I'm sure the 173 number is the number of confirmed fraud cases reported by consumers. The leader of this group would not pay her $500 per month for a couple dozen numbers.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We never put a credit card on our account when we check in at the DVC resorts. Instead, we just use our credit cards at the restaurants and venues we frequent. Our original reason for doing it that way is to avoid the automatic $1500 hold Disney puts on your card when you use it at check in.

 

[JimMIA]

We never put a credit card on our account when we check in at the DVC resorts. Instead, we just use our credit cards at the restaurants and venues we frequent. Our original reason for doing it that way is to avoid the automatic $1500 hold Disney puts on your card when you use it at check in.

Using your credit card at a restaurant is unavoidable (and we've rarely had any problems doing so), but a restaurant or bar transaction is the riskiest credit card transaction you'll ever do. The vast majority of the cards skimmed are done in bars and restaurants.

That said, we never leave a credit card with the front desk. For one thing, we want to make a conscious purchasing decision rather than just saying "Bill it to my room." And the other concern is fraud.

 

[JimC]

I wouldn't worry about it. It may be a little pain in the rear, but you're not responsible for the charges if you report it promptly.

MG

And the fraud detection software used by the credit card companies must be quite robust. As I said earlier, the fraud unit caught the unauthorized use of our card as soon as the charges hit the account.

 

[acourtwdw]

First of all- this new is terrible and I feel for anyone who had their credit card compromised.

Secondly- WDW doesn't put a $1500 hold on your cc at check in. I know this because the card I usually use doesn't have that high of a limit. They authorize for $1 and that is it. They do put a limit on how much you can charge back to the room depending on where you are staying. Values and mods are lower than deluxes and DVC.

 

[huey578]

Sounds like online check in might be a safe way to prevent your card from being skimmed at WDW.

 

[lilpooh108]

Using your credit card at a restaurant is unavoidable (and we've rarely had any problems doing so), but a restaurant or bar transaction is the riskiest credit card transaction you'll ever do. The vast majority of the cards skimmed are done in bars and restaurants.

That said, we never leave a credit card with the front desk. For one thing, we want to make a conscious purchasing decision rather than just saying "Bill it to my room." And the other concern is fraud.

How do you not leave a CC? Don't they usually ask? I've never thought to say no...

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

Our Visa was one compromised and we had to close our Disney Visa and get a new card. We used it the end of April and first of May at restaurants and several locations at BLT. I am thankful the fraud team called us and caught it right away before we even knew. I watch our account closely and will watch our new account even closer. I hate being a victim of people who are too lazy to work and earn a living honestly.

 

[dbs1228]

I stayed at OKW a few weeks ago and before I left I heard about this possibly happening (in another thread) so I just declined charging privileges to my room. I very rarely charge to my room anyway but I do usually leave a card to pay the bill, but now that I am a dvc member no charges to be paid.

 

[dianeschlicht]

How do you not leave a CC? Don't they usually ask? I've never thought to say no...

They ask you if you want to put a credit card on, but you don't have to. Oh, and they DO put a $1500 limit at Disney front desks. Of course, if you card doesn't have that high a limit, they can't but if you do have a card with that access, they do that. It's why we quit using a credit card at check in.

Jim, I do know that restaurants and bars are notorious for those kind of compromises, but since we eat mostly at Disney signature establishments, and since our card fraud system seems to easily pick up stuff like that, we don't worry too much.

 

[SamSam]

We have had credit cards compromised several times...we travel quite a bit, and I think that is where most of the problem comes from. Luckily our cc company is really on top of things and has called us (mulitple times) to ask about charges.
In addition, I go on-line to check charges to our accounts every couple of days, so I have caught 'questionable' charges early.

 

[Sammie]

The only safe card is one you don't have. We had one stolen before we even used it.

You simply have to realize this is the age we live in and monitor your account often.

Also I would never advise anyone to use your debit card when you travel.

Use a credit card that you only use for travel and keep a eye on it.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Using your credit card at a restaurant is unavoidable (and we've rarely had any problems doing so), but a restaurant or bar transaction is the riskiest credit card transaction you'll ever do. The vast majority of the cards skimmed are done in bars and restaurants.

So true. DH travels a lot on business, and has had his Amex compromised twice in restaurants. Once, the waiter skimmed the card. Ever since then we have been very careful in restaurants.