Hotel Safety Box Scam: A Swede Relates His Misery..

[libya 115]

SOURCE: Pattaya Mail: Issue: March 9th 2007

Theft and fraud

Dear Sir,

I would like to bring to your attention an incident of fraud and theft directed against me by one of the staff at a hotel in Pattaya. The following statement is a summary of what happened on the 6th of February 2007.

I would think that this incident should come to people’s knowledge since it would probably make tourists and others more careful and observant against crime.

I arrived in Thailand on the 6th of February 2007 and checked in at 13.00 hours. At about 14.30 hrs the same day I deposited my American Express Card, 2 Swedish ATM bankcards, cash, passport, driving license and various personal belongings in one of the hotel’s safety boxes. The staff who was responsible for the deposit was at that time alone at the reception desk.

In connection with the deposit, I signed for the safety box in the hotel’s register. I deposited my belongings and the staff at the reception desk handed over my key for the safety box. The safety box was locked with two keys, one stayed with the hotel as master key. When I signed for my safety box, I did not memorize which box I had signed for and nor did I memorize which number was on my key. I locked my key into my suitcase in my hotel room. I took for granted that I had received the right key. I had stayed at the hotel in 2006 and trusted the staff.

On the 7th of February at about 23.30 hrs, the staff on duty at the reception desk asked me if I had forgotten my safety box key number 19, which according to him, I had signed for and now was laying at the reception desk. I answered him that I kept my key locked up in my room. At this moment, I suspected that something wrong had happened. I collected my key and I now discovered that I had received key number 32 instead of number 19 which I had signed for according to the key register.

The staff, who had deposited my belongings, now had access to my key and the hotel’s master key. He then stole certain items from my safety box. Strangely enough, he did not take my passport. He stole my American Express Card, ATM bankcards, cash, driving license, wallet and other personal belongings.

The employee in question had started his employment the same day, the 6th of February. At about 14.45 hrs he suddenly left his working place and did not come back. He had obviously been planning this action and was waiting for a suitable guest who he could cheat and deceive.

Later in the evening of 7th of February, I found out that he had used my American Express Card and one of my Swedish ATM cards for various purchases.

In spite of the fact that key number 19 had been laying at the reception desk from about 14.30 hrs on the 6th of February until 23.30 hrs on the 7th of February, no staff at the reception desk reacted. Nobody contacted me. A check of the register over handed out keys would immediately have revealed that key number 19 belonged to me. If I had received my key soonest after 14.45 on the 6th of February, I would have been able to terminate the use of all my bank cards at this very moment. Now the cards were not terminated until about 23.30 hrs on the 7th of February.

On the 8th of February, one of the supervisor staff told me that she, on the 6th of February, just before the newly employed staff suddenly left his work, had asked him why key number 19 was laying at the reception. He had then answered that a guest probably had forgotten it. In spite of the fact that she new that a guest probably had forgotten it, she did not check to whom the key belonged and she never contacted me. I was in my room until 19.00 hrs on the 6th of February and back in my room about 23.00 hrs the same evening. I was also available most of next day the 7th of February.

One would say that I should have checked that I received the correct key for my box but since I had not memorized which box I had signed for, it would not have made any difference. After all this is not an excuse for a hotel staff to commit a crime. If a guest forgets his key at the hotel’s reception desk, the guest should of course be informed immediately and if the guest is not available, the key should be locked up in a safe place.

The staff who stole my belongings has committed a serious crime and the hotel is fully responsible for the incident.

So far the hotel management has not admitted any wrongdoings. They have handed over the case to their insurance company. In my opinion the case has been delayed by both the hotel management and the insurance company. I am not interested do discuss this matter with the hotel’s insurance company. The settlement should be agreed upon between the hotel and myself.

I have not received any apology and not a word of compensation for the inconvenience which this incident has caused me.

The theft has been reported to the police in Pattaya.

Yours sincerely,

Jan Lilja

Libya 115 says:

Don't trust hotel safety security boxes. There have been several cases of theft and fraud, even in the larger more respectale hotels. Another scam involves the skimming of credit/debit cards held in the safety box, the tourist not realising until back home he/she checks his/her statements.

Also safety boxes are often the target for thieves. They wrench them open with tools whilst the CCTV is 'out of order'. This happened at a hotel on Soi Bukhaew a year or so ago.

It is far better to deposit valuables in dedicated offices with security safety boxes, guarded 24 hours a day, it is more expensive but brings peace of mind. Such an office is on Walking Street.

Alternatively, locking valuables in your suitcase in your room is preferable to hotel safety boxes. Some hotels now offer digital room safes which are a better option.

Edited March 9, 2007 by libya 115

[buriramboy]

Any gueses on how much money you think the Swede will get back????

[PhilHarries]

Later in the evening of 7th of February, I found out that he had used my American Express Card and one of my Swedish ATM cards for various purchases.

Libya 115 says:

Alternatively, locking valuables in your suitcase in your room is preferable to hotel safety boxes. Some hotels now offer digital room safes which are a better option.[/i]

It would be a good lead for the police to chat with the places where the purchases were made. An AMEX card and a Swedish ATM card (I guess equal to Cirrus) used by a Thai national surely should have raised eyebrows unless there is a degree of collusion here.

Regarding the digital safes I agree they are better but I have heard of a scam where hotel staff smear a thin film of grease over the keypad. They then come back after you've set your PIN and by shining a light over the surface can get your four or six digits. Then it's only a matter of the sequence.

1

[CHdiver]

How can sombody use a ATM Card, without knowing the code, most probably there was a hidden notice somewhere in the Wallet with the code? He can just blame himself for that. Purchases with the AMEX; as the sign of the bill (by the Thai Person) will not be the same as from the Owner, there should be no Problem for him. AMEX will have to sort that out with the Seller of the goods.

If I remember me at my last time I used this Safety boxes, I had to close the box together with the Reception Staff. He used his Masterkey, I used the Key I received from the Staff. If I get a different Key, how can I close my Box? It's easy to just blame the Hotel for this, you have to be carefully by yourself too.

[Prakanong]

I know two guys who had their cards skimmed in either one hotel or a seafood restaurant on Walking Street.

Both separately and they were the only two places each used their card.

My pal had 50 thousand USD charged to his amex in Japan - got it wiped off of course.

[tropo]

If I remember me at my last time I used this Safety boxes, I had to close the box together with the Reception Staff. He used his Masterkey, I used the Key I received from the Staff.

You bring up an important point. All the in-room safes have master keys held by staff/management which makes them about as safe as the reception based safes.

[gburns57au]

Rule number 1.....when you have your key....personally put your valuables in the box...this will ensure that the key is the right one and dont give your valuables to staff to deposit.

Rule number 2....keep the key on you...dont leave it in your room.

Most hotels have a notice stating that valuables kept in the boxes are not the hotels responsibility...so he has little recourse...

Besides it was his responsibilty to ensure that he had the right key.

The errant staff member wasnt waiting for anything or anyone...sometimes the stupidity of farang tourists can present opportunities that are too hard to resist.

[Mighty Mouse]

If the hotel is reputable you stand a chance of having your valuables properly secured.

With safety deposit boxes, what is to stop a disreputable hotel from having a copy of the key that they hand to you?

They have their master key as well as a copy of your key.

In such cases, your valuables are at risk.

The in-room safes are as good as staff honesty. If you forget your personal combination, management can still open the safe. Most safes are inside cupboards. By chaining the cupboard door with your own padlock, you increase security.

By padlocking your hotel room door with your own padlock, you also increase your security...but may have a huge problem getting your room cleaned.

Keeping your valuables inside a locked, hard shell suitcase (Samsonite or similar) could be the answer, particularly if the suitcase is then chained to an immovable object inside the room.

For me, I have been using a reputable hotel for many years. I know the management quite well and I take good care ($$$) of my room maid. (she has been there for many years.) In return, she takes good care of my room. The hotel previously had safety deposit boxes but now has in-room safes.

I use a variety of the above mentioned methods. I have never had a problem....touch wood.

[dong]

Any gueses on how much money you think the Swede will get back????

And the hotel's name is?????????

[bmanly]

Any gueses on how much money you think the Swede will get back????

And the hotel's name is?????????

I agree, I want the hotels name? What is the point of writing all this without a direct reference to the offending Hotel? Waste of time.