Hotels: Credit Card Security

Every year, millions of credit cards account holders book hotels around the world with their cards. Some consumers choose to book hotels over the Internet, others choose to make arrangements for their stays at hotels over the telephone. But, whichever way hotels are booked, whenever we book hotels we must be alert to the dangers of credit card fraud.

Credit card security when booking hotels online

Recent analysis of the hotels industry has revealed that 25% of all bookings at hotels are now generated through the Internet. The majority of these online bookings at hotels are secured on credit cards.

Some hotels require consumers to make a deposit. When booking hotels online, most consumers use their credit cards to pay the hotels deposit. Where no hotels deposit is required, hotels often require credit card details to make reservations at the hotels. Either way, credit cards account holders have got to reveal their details to hotels that they don't really know.

Some consumers are uncomfortable with this situation…and rightly so! Just because hotels have websites that accept cards it doesn't’t mean that those hotels are genuine.

All consumers, before divulging their credit cards details to hotels, should do their due diligence on the hotels. This includes verifying that the hotels address and hotels contact details check out. Users should also check that forms at the websites of the hotels are secure.

Consumers should never enter their credit cards details into web forms embedded in emails from hotels. Users are also advised to avoid revealing credit cards details at non-secure websites of hotels. Such websites from hotels may be fraudulent. Consumers as a result may find that their information has been stolen.

Credit card security when booking hotels offline

When booking hotels over the telephone or booking hotels via postal mail, consumers must be as much on their guard about credit card scams as when booking hotels over the Internet.

Consumers must never reveal their details to hotels should hotels with whom they have had no previous contact call them. Obviously, when comsumers initiate telephone calls to hotels they know to be genuine, divulging details over the telephone to the hotels carries little risk.

When consumers book hotels with their cards on a printed form issued by the hotels, or if consumers reveal details in a letter to hotels, consumers should do their due diligence on the hotels first. Consumers must make sure offers from the hotels are genuine. To be sure, account holders could phone the hotels if needs be to check their authenticity. By taking these precautionary actions when booking hotels, consumers can save themselves a lot of potential financial heartache.