Rossen Reports: Is your personal information stored on hotel key cards?
Have you ever checked into a hotel and wondered what information is stored on your key card?
Our viewer Mary reached out to Rossen Reports, concerned about her personal information.
She asked, “A tour guide once told us to never leave your key card at the hotel because it has all of your information on it. Especially don't leave it in the room because anyone with access could pick it up and get your information. Is this correct?”
We investigated and found a bit of misconception surrounding the information stored on hotel key cards. These cards typically contain only the essential information needed to access your hotel room. This includes your room number and the dates of your stay, so the card knows when to deactivate itself. Contrary to urban legend, your credit card, banking details, name, and address do not make their way onto your key card.
While losing your key card might not expose your personal information, it poses a different security risk. If someone finds your misplaced card, they could potentially use it to gain unauthorized access to your room. That’s why it's crucial to keep track of your key card throughout your stay and ensure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
You can rest easy knowing that hotel key cards are not a treasure trove of personal data. Just remember that vigilance is key to ensuring a safe and secure trip.
Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.