Disney Guests Fleeced

by Leah Zanolla
Feb 28, 2008

Authorities are looking for a suspected con man operating in Disney Hotels.

The Sheriff's department believes that the thief is eavesdropping on guest's conversations, getting their name and room number and calling them posing as a Disney employee.

One victim, Catherine Maybie, was contacted and offered a special deal. The caller knew her name and room number which led her to provide her credit card info when asked for it. Maybie stated "We're in the room and someone calls us and said they had a deal for us. For $10 a person, (we) could go to the Polynesian Luau or Hoopie-Doo Review (shows.) It was stupid of me. I should have said, 'You already have my credit card number.' But I gave him my credit card again."

The scam artist instructs his targets to pick up their tickets at the front desk once 24 hours has elapsed. When Maybie did so, not only did she find out that there were no tickets, she later discovered that the thief had made over $1500 in purchases using her credit card.

Thus far, at least 9 guests have been contacted by this con man. In response to this problem, Disney has placed reminders in their guest rooms letting visitors know that their employees will never call asking for credit card info.

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• Last Updated: Feb 8, 2012 - 9:40:38 AM