I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
it is theoretically possible.

I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!

I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
breath for a response.

If any of you have any further information that could clarify this, it 
would be great. If anyone has access to one of these cards and a card 
reader, that would be even better! It is unlikely I will be staying at a 
hotel for a little while yet....

Bogwitch

--------8<--------

Ever wonder what is on your hotel magnetic key card?
Answer:
   a. Customer's name
   b. Customer's partial home address
   c. Hotel room number
   d. Check-in date and out dates
   e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!
When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is 
there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the 
hotel scanner. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using 
a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go 
shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an
employee re-issues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the 
new guest's information is electronically "overwritten" on the card and 
the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process. 
But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept 
in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!
Recommendations;
Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave 
them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them in to 
the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you 
for the card (it's illegal - in UK) and you'll be sure you are not 
leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be 
easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.
For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still
have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash 
basket.
Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the
electronic information strip! You can also use a small magnet and pass 
it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, if 
it does not work it erases everything on the card.
Information courtesy of: Kent Police


-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

Bogwitch wrote:
> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
> it is theoretically possible.
> 
> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
> 
> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
> breath for a response.

Astonishing speed from Kent Police.

According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
not circulate information in such a format.'

So, that clears that up, then.

However, they do go on to say...

"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."

But I think the essence of the information received is in fact, bogus.

Bogwitch.

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:59:52 +0100, Bogwitch
 mused:

>Bogwitch wrote:
>> I was passed this today. I can find no reference on the Internet about 
>> it, apart from repeats of this bulletin. It smacks of a hoax to me but 
>> it is theoretically possible.
>> 
>> I think it would be unlikely that a hotel would NEED to keep this 
>> information on a key card but it wouldn't suprise me if they did!
>> 
>> I have emailed Kent Police to check with them but I won't be holding my 
>> breath for a response.
>
>Astonishing speed from Kent Police.
>
>According to Kent Police, this is 'inaccurate' and 'Kent police would 
>not circulate information in such a format.'
>
>So, that clears that up, then.
>
>However, they do go on to say...
>
>"That's just a nasty rumor," says Kathy Shepard, vice president in 
>charge of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Our 
>key cards are encrypted with minimal information -- the guest's name, 
>room number and arrival and departure dates -- and encrypted in such a 
>way that they can't be read by ordinary card readers."
>
I'd be surprised if it contained any information whatsoever about the
guest, usually the guests information is on the coimputer that just
activates\deactivates the card. The card is linked to the customer in
the database on the PC only.
-- 
Regards,
Stuart.