After a long day at work, Gary struggled through his hour-long commute. When he arrived at his apartment, he quickly went through his usual routine of shrugging off his work clothes and slipping into a casual pair of shorts and a tank top. While his dinner rotated in the microwave, he booted up his laptop and checked his email. A notification had arrived earlier that day from his bank telling him he had a new credit statement available. Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises
Gary checked the sender’s email address to confirm it wasn’t a scammer’s desperate attempt to get him to click on a nasty piece of malware. It looked authentic enough, but since he was a cautious individual, Gary opened a fresh page in his web browser and logged into his credit card account.
The usual gasoline, grocery store, and gym membership bills peppered the digital document. Gary also spotted the hotel bill from his recent getaway in the mountains with friends. He squinted at the final number which was $250 more than he expected. Certain it wasn’t displaying correctly, he refreshed the page. The same number returned to his screen. Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises
A series of beeps from Gary’s microwave tried to get his attention, but the recent traveler didn’t notice. He picked up his cell phone from the kitchen table and called the hotel. When he eventually spoke with a hotel manager, the person told Gary that the $250 was a smoking fee added to Gary’s account. Gary doesn’t smoke, and nobody visited his room during his stay.
Gary told the manager he didn’t smoke and protested the charge, demanding the hotel refund his money. The manager told Gary that the hotel takes photos of the rooms after a visitor’s stay and to wait on the line while he confirmed Gary’s story with security.
Several frustrating minutes had passed before the manager returned to the line. The manager told Gary that security couldn’t produce the photographic evidence the hotel relied on for the charge, and he told their former guest the charge would be refunded to his credit card.
By the time Gary remembered his food in the microwave, it was cold and needed to be reheated.
Summary
Whenever you check out from a hotel, review your bill before leaving. Hotels might charge you for items and services you never received, or add charges you didn’t incur. Don’t be in such a hurry to leave that you forget to see what the company charged. How to Avoid Hotel Bill Surprises
It’s far easier, and less surprising when you dispute these items before walking away. It also makes sure you can refute a fraudulent charge just in case you forget to look at your billing statement later.
Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises
Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises Tips Avoiding Hotel Bill Scams and Surprises
