timberbandb
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2013
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 4
FYI: This was on the P A I I forum this AM...
Last week, the manager of a nearby bed and breakfast called to pass on some information about their inn being burglarized. Three single women booked online and scheduled a late check inn. The next morning, the rooms were cleaned out of everything.
Last night we got a late online booking of one our highest price rooms for tonight. As we always do, we sent them the late check in information via email. Soon after, the person wrote back and asked to book another high priced room as they said their sister-in-law would also be checking in late.
Couple things rang some alarm bells for Linda. The name of the woman emailing did not match the name of the person on the credit cards. There were multiple misspellings in the email. Multiple last minute full price room bookings for late check-ins do not happen often for us. Finally Linda checked the names against the names provided by the local inn and they matched.
So we called the local police and explained what happened and asked for their suggestions. Here is what they told us to do - Make an excuse to cancel the reservation. The police did not feel it was safe to have these people visit. We emailed the guest and claimed a family medical emergency caused us to cancel all reservations. The police had us change all gate lock codes immediately and lock all closet, access and unused room doors. They took copies of the emails and contact information and are going to contact the neighboring town police department where the local inn made their police report about their burglary. And they suggested we contact Visa about the fraudulent charge, which Linda did and we were told there is already a fraudulent charge investigation underway on that card. They also said to call 911 tonight for any reason and they will come immediately and will maintain a presence near the property.
Be aware...
Last week, the manager of a nearby bed and breakfast called to pass on some information about their inn being burglarized. Three single women booked online and scheduled a late check inn. The next morning, the rooms were cleaned out of everything.
Last night we got a late online booking of one our highest price rooms for tonight. As we always do, we sent them the late check in information via email. Soon after, the person wrote back and asked to book another high priced room as they said their sister-in-law would also be checking in late.
Couple things rang some alarm bells for Linda. The name of the woman emailing did not match the name of the person on the credit cards. There were multiple misspellings in the email. Multiple last minute full price room bookings for late check-ins do not happen often for us. Finally Linda checked the names against the names provided by the local inn and they matched.
So we called the local police and explained what happened and asked for their suggestions. Here is what they told us to do - Make an excuse to cancel the reservation. The police did not feel it was safe to have these people visit. We emailed the guest and claimed a family medical emergency caused us to cancel all reservations. The police had us change all gate lock codes immediately and lock all closet, access and unused room doors. They took copies of the emails and contact information and are going to contact the neighboring town police department where the local inn made their police report about their burglary. And they suggested we contact Visa about the fraudulent charge, which Linda did and we were told there is already a fraudulent charge investigation underway on that card. They also said to call 911 tonight for any reason and they will come immediately and will maintain a presence near the property.
Be aware...
