New hotel scam that uses your keycard AFTER you check out – after couple were left £600 out of pocket
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned over a new hotel scam which use their keycards after they check out after one couple was left £600 out of pocket.
Nathan and Eleni Weisser found themselves slapped with a hefty bill for luxury extras they had never used.
The pair, who were travelling from the US to the Greek Islands, broke their trip up with a stay at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
After enjoying some sightseeing and dinner in town, they checked out the next day to embark on the next leg of their journey.
However, they had no idea that they had already fallen victim to a cunning keycard scam by the time they got on the plane.
In an effort to avoid a long check-out queue that morning, they had dropped off their keys into a return box in the foyer.
But a thief was watching them and dashed up to their suite to call reception and extend their stay.
Claiming to be Mr Weisser, they were asked to come down and complete a new registration but said they were unwell and would do so the next day.
The scammer then ordered almost £100 worth of room service and enjoyed a night of luxury at the oblivious couple’s expense.
Hotel staff report that they even tried to repeat the trick the next night but scarpered when the reception desk insisted on an in-person registration.
The first the Weissers knew of the swindle was when they were hit with £600 of extra charges to cover the extended stay and room service.
Thankfully, they were able to resolve the charges with the help of The Points Guy ombudsman columnist Michelle Couch-Friedman.
A spokesperson for the hotel said: “[Our investigation shows] … an individual gained access to your room after your departure.
“I would like to confirm that any charges relating to this activity have been refunded to your credit card account.
“I appreciate how disturbing this matter has been.
“Rest assured we will do our very best to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
The charges were cancelled and, as a gesture of good will, Hilton also refunded the couple’s 80,000 rewards points that were used during their legitimate stay.
It comes after we gave staycation fans a look inside an overnight stay at the best pub in Britain.