RV Security | Hotel Key Cards Can Lead to Identity Theft

Written by Brenda-Lee Thompson

While planning for RV security, we may not think about how Hotel Key Cards can lead to Identity Theft. We've all used them at some point in time, and will do so again. Even while RVing, we RVers can crave a break from the rig and plan a side trip stay in a hotel. The method of disposing of these hotel key cards at the end of our stay could mean the difference between keeping your personal information personal...or making it available for fraudulent activities.

How do most of us dispose of this card? Guests either return them to the front desk, or throw them in the trash. When two cards are issued, guests often take only one card when leaving for the day and the second card is left in the room.

There has been a documented case of a hotel magnetic key card containing more information than just a hotel room access code. It also contained:

Customer's name

Customer's partial home address

Hotel room number

Dates of check in and check-out

….and customer's credit card number and expiration date

While the practice of embedding this extent of information doesn't appear to be widespread, it is certainly possible. When a guest turns the card in to the hotel front desk upon checking out, the information may not immediately be erased. The card itself is kept floating around in either a drawer or cupboard, until the next patron comes along to rent a room. Only when the hotel key card is re-issued to a subsequent guest is the information removed and replaced with the new guest's identity. All the while, information (yours, possibly) is at risk and vulnerable to any unscrupulous staff member who has access to a scanning device and knowledge of how to use it.

RV security goes beyond just ensuring safety while RVing. It also means making sure all of your information is kept secure, no matter what shape or form your travel may take.

For disposing of Hotel Key Cards, your options are:

Keep the cards on check-out and take them home with you to put through your shredder (if yours has a slot for credit cards), or cut them up with scissors. There is no charge for keeping the hotel key cards and not returning them to the hotel.
Never leave the cards in a garbage bin in the hotel, or even at another location thinking that it is safe. Anyone with a card reader device can access your information.
It has been recommended to carry a small magnet and use it to erase the card. When leaving your room for the final time, wipe the hotel key card several times with the magnet, and try to unlock the hotel door. If the door doesn't open, it means there is no information on the card to read, and it is safe, in this case, to return the hotel key card to the front desk.

To be fair, this issue is definitely controversial. The original incident which occurred in 2003 in the U.S. started the story prematurely circulating throughout the web. Subsequent information disputes this practice, saying that several (but not all) of the major hotel chains have newer systems which do not include such personal information on the key cards. Who is to say which hotels have older systems, or which have new? Although this practice may not be common, identity fraud is -- the source of which is rarely uncovered. Snopes.com is a site which disputes this practice, however if you are interested, following is the link to the police department press release on the topic.. The fact is, this event did happen and there is no harm in being prudent. Here is the link with more info: http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/police/media/MediaReleases/HotelCardKeyUpdate.asp

RV security means more than locking the door when you leave. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your identity safe, including while using Hotel Key Cards.

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