Fraudulent room service charge

[Deleted member]

stayed at the "Warnie" in Wanchai (don't ask!!) many moons ago while attending the HK Sevens.
while we were out, someone used our in room phone (twice) to call mainland china.
I disputed the charge, they argued about it, saying i must have made the calls, so I just said, "Fine, lets call the Police" .... problem solved

 

[JohnPhelan]

Yes I agree, I unfortunately did express check out

And herein lies an explanation for how this issue has turned into such a problem. I almost never do express check out, for this very reason.

Of course it's not the OP's fault that someone has set him up, but once you depart from the hotel, it's very difficult to contest any of the charges.

I'd be very suspicious of the housekeeper whom he told he would be out for the evening; I wonder if their friends/family enjoyed a lovely meal? I would have thought the hotel's door security system would also be able to indicate whether the person who accessed the room at the time listed was doing so on a standard guest key or a master/pass key (such as those issued to housekeeping).

Apart from when leaving the room in the morning (and wanting the room made up), I always leave the DND sign on the door - hopefully crooks will think that means there's someone in the room!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Apart from when leaving the room in the morning (and wanting the room made up), I always leave the DND sign on the door - hopefully crooks will think that means there's someone in the room!

And always leave TV turned on and up loud.

OT and apologies I have no suggestion to OP.

 

[snabbu]

Is the issue that the charge on the bill was not seen prior to the express check out? Normally when express check out is used you are first provided the bill to review (either via the TV or a copy of your bill is sent to the room on the last night of the stay, etc). Then once the bill is reviewed and accepted the options for express check out are generally via the TV, Telephone or an express check out box in the lobby.

If this is the case I can somewhat understand the hotel for not rebating the claimed fraudulent charges after the fact as if the above scenario is correct, the guest has theoretically checked the bill and accepted the charges.

What kind of express check out was used?

 

[eric2011]

Don't know if it would stand up but with my express check-out account I always circle the amount to be charged and write "circled amount approved $?.?? to be charged" and sign it. It seems to stop any miscellaneous charges made up by the minibar inspector

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Don't know if it would stand up but with my express check-out account I always circle the amount to be charged and write "circled amount approved $?.?? to be charged" and sign it. It seems to stop any miscellaneous charges made up by the minibar inspector

Good tip. I'm a bit like the others here ... never use express check out unless absolutely necessary (although that's normally because I want the printed receipt to chase up missing points)

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Don't know if it would stand up but with my express check-out account I always circle the amount to be charged and write "circled amount approved $?.?? to be charged" and sign it. It seems to stop any miscellaneous charges made up by the minibar inspector

If you do that, do you also take a picture of the bill on your phone?

 

[eric2011]

If you do that, do you also take a picture of the bill on your phone?

Yes, but in the event of a dispute over a express check-out I would insist that the express checkout invoice be supplied by the hotel as well. As I said, don't know how it would stand up but every little thing would help my credit card company handle the dispute

 

[Archipelago]

And always leave TV turned on and up loud.

OT and apologies I have no suggestion to OP.

Fair suggestion but in this day and age, and for that standard of hotel - how do you leave the TV turned on and up loud when the power goes off 30 seconds after you remove your key card? Not every hotel, sure - but for the most there is no way to power on a TV while you're out

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Fair suggestion but in this day and age, and for that standard of hotel - how do you leave the TV turned on and up loud when the power goes off 30 seconds after you remove your key card? Not every hotel, sure - but for the most there is no way to power on a TV while you're out

2 key cards or put another card in like a membership card. Most of those things don't require the actual hotel key

 

[Archipelago]

2 key cards or put another card in like a membership card. Most of those things don't require the actual hotel key

Sorry but this is becoming rarer to be able to do - I am a big fan of chucking my spare cards in the slots. However the last couple of years I see more and more hotels have a smart RFID/NFC card and substituting some other random card just won't work.

Point in case - I was in Kawthoung, Myanmar over the weekend - there have been two guest houses available for as long as I can remember, but on this trip I stayed in a new resort (Myanmar is opening up faster each year). In this two horse town, the keycard slot was smart and wouldn't let me leave anything in the slot other than the coded room key....

 

[JohnK]

Point in case - I was in Kawthoung, Myanmar over the weekend - there have been two guest houses available for as long as I can remember, but on this trip I stayed in a new resort (Myanmar is opening up faster each year). In this two horse town, the keycard slot was smart and wouldn't let me leave anything in the slot other than the coded room key....

Ask for second coded room key.

 

[bad]

I have a rather unusual surname, but the order definitely has my room number on it.

I have stayed at this hotel before and that made me uncomfortable
however complaining to NYPD is impossible. I went to an Australian police station to make an official compliant (interpol) at least it is noted and reported officially. Then you can use insurance to ask for a refund or ask the credit card company for a refund citing and quoting the police report you have lodged. It will unlikely go to court. I had to do this once in similar circumstances and was able to receive a complete refund and charge back from the cc company.

 

[Archipelago]

Ask for second coded room key.

Did ask, and was refused. Sorry Sir, one card per guest!

 

[eric2011]

Did ask, and was refused. Sorry Sir, one card per guest!

Then leave the key in the room and get them to get security to take you to your room and admit you. Done that in New Orleans, after the 3rd time in 2 hours they gave me another

 

[JohnK]

Did ask, and was refused. Sorry Sir, one card per guest!

Wow. I make all bookings for 2 people and most times they ask how many room keycards I would like.

 

[Archipelago]

Wow. I make all bookings for 2 people and most times they ask how many room keycards I would like.

As do I. I did mention this was Kawthoung, Myanmar. There is only one hotel there that actually uses keycards, and it only opened quite recently.

 

[Kefci2000]

I have stayed at this hotel before and that made me uncomfortable
however complaining to NYPD is impossible. I went to an Australian police station to make an official compliant (interpol) at least it is noted and reported officially. Then you can use insurance to ask for a refund or ask the credit card company for a refund citing and quoting the police report you have lodged. It will unlikely go to court. I had to do this once in similar circumstances and was able to receive a complete refund and charge back from the cc company.

Thanks, I will attempt this

 

[drross]

any update re Westpac etc????

 

[Kefci2000]

Accounts dept were handling this but will follow up this week