Another Day, Another Data Breach

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Hilton, Sheraton, Westin and Marriott join Target, Neiman Marcus, and craft retailer Michael’s on the list of ‘who’s getting hacked today.’ A company that maintains the hotel franchises is reportedly the latest victim of a massive data breach exposing guests’ credit and debit card information in 2013. Juliana Harris with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs says, “it’s definitely the day and age we live in. Most people don’t use cash, but electronic means of payment.” Here’s the problem, says Harris. Hotel chains many times use third-party companies to process credit card transactions. So, when you’re at the desk checking in or checking out, your personal information is changing more hands than you think. In addition to asking the hotel what privacy policy they have in place as it relates to your information changing hands, Harris claims there are ways to safeguard your credit card transactions. Use credit; don’t debit. “If your debit card is stolen, that’s money taken out of your account, out of your pocket. With a credit card there’s a dispute process. No money is taken out of pocket at that time. It won’t make checks bounces, affect other payments, t’s more protective of the consumer.” Secondly, Harris warns, read your statements as if your identity depends on it. “Make sure there’s no small charges. Scammers will make small charges then big ones so don’t just look at balance at the bottom.” Lastly, talk to your bank about receiving account alerts. “If you want to know when there is a purchase of more than $50, or if your account gets under a certain amount, you can get that. Ask your financial institution what kind of safeguards they have in place. They’re usually free.” The company that was hacked says it’s investigating the breach. Hotel representatives claim they are monitoring the situation as well. However, Consumer Affairs recommends you policing yourself.