Not sure if I've posted this in the correct place, move it if you need to.
In the travel liftout in the Perth Sunday Times this week there was a small article about the credit card-style room keys. Apparently these cards have stored on them: your name, partial home address, room number, check in and check out dates and your credit card number and expiry date. When you check out and hand the card to the receptionist, your details are not immediately erased from the card but remain on there until the card is issued to someone else. Anyone with access to the hotel card reader can get your credit card details. The writer of the article advised that you should take the card with you and destroy it, and it is not illegal to take the card.
Is there any way to erase the information yourself, and try to open the hotel room door, before you hand the card back?
In the travel liftout in the Perth Sunday Times this week there was a small article about the credit card-style room keys. Apparently these cards have stored on them: your name, partial home address, room number, check in and check out dates and your credit card number and expiry date. When you check out and hand the card to the receptionist, your details are not immediately erased from the card but remain on there until the card is issued to someone else. Anyone with access to the hotel card reader can get your credit card details. The writer of the article advised that you should take the card with you and destroy it, and it is not illegal to take the card.
Is there any way to erase the information yourself, and try to open the hotel room door, before you hand the card back?