[Histonet] Hotel key cards, potential identity theft during travel - sent to our university faculty

[Gayle Callis]

Dear All

This message was sent to my chemistry/faculty hubby (should have included 
staff also!!)  via accounting technician in his department at our 
university.  I thought it interesting, particularly since recent NSH 
convention attendance in Ft. Lauderdale. So this is just a bit of heads up 
alert during your travels to protect your credit, etc, etc.   You can pass 
it on to others without all the names included.

Gayle Callis
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
Bozeman MT 59717-3610

>Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 13:11:10 -0600 (MDT)
>Subject: Hotel Key Cards - Potential Identity Theft
>
>I was at a recent purchasing card meeting and the following information
>was one of the topics.  Thought everyone would be interested in this info
>as we usually all travel and stay in motels at various times.  I hadn't
>even thought of this - just another was for potential identity theft!
>
>This info was verified by the Purchasing Dept as having been a topic at a
>regional meeting with the information being presented in a Identity Theft
>Presentation by a police department.
>
>The following information is embedded in the credit card type hotel room
>keys used throughout the industry:
>
>Customers name
>Customers partial home address
>Hotel room number
>Check in date and check out date
>AND
>your credit card number and expiration date!!
>
>When you turn in the key to the front desk - this information is available
>for any employee to scan and access or take home and use a scanning
>device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at
>your expense.  Your information is overwritten only when a new guest is
>assigned the card.
>
>The bottom line is - Keep the cards - take them home with you or destroy
>them.  NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER
>turn them in to the front desk when you check out of a room.  They will
>not charge your for the card (it's illegal) and you won't be leaving
>behind valuable personal information.
>
>Make sure you destroy the card and cut through the electonic information
>strip - don't just toss in the trash can.
>
>S White
>Accounting Technician
>Montana State University
>Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry
>Bozeman, MT  59717