Hotel card urban myth debunked

Anyone who has stayed in a hotel the past few years has dealt with those magnetic cards that have replaced room keys. About 8o% of hotels now use these magnetic cards instead of traditional keys. At the same time, an urban legend was brewing that said the cards contained information about the guest's credit cards and more. From the New York Times:

For several years, rumors have circulated on the Internet about privacy concerns with magnetic cards. The rumors appeared to originate in 1999, when the police department in Pasadena, Calif., investigated a claim that personal information had been extracted from a hotel key card. Officials ultimately concluded that private data was not being downloaded onto the cards.

While there have been occasional instances of hotels putting sensitive information on these cards, overall its an urban legend. The American Hotel and Lodging Association has even issued a press release debunking the key card rumors.

Still, it makes sense to guard these cards when you are traveling. Just like a standard key, you wouldn't want it to fall into the hands of a criminal. More importantly, you should guard against identity theft by keeping your credit cards and other sensitive documents locked in your hotel room safe when you are out and about. Click here to read more tips about preventing identity theft while traveling.