Major Hotels Hit By Data Breach, Card Fraud (Maybe They Should Accept Bitcoin?)

Click Here Or On Above Image To Reach Our Experts

Major Hotels Hit By Data Breach, Card Fraud
Maybe They Should Accept Bitcoin?

White Lodging Services, a hospitality company that manages 168 hotels in 21 states -- under franchises from Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, and Westin -- is investigating reports that it suffered a data breach that lasted from March 2013 until the end of the year.

Word of the breaches first surfaced Friday when security journalist Brian Krebs reported that unnamed card processors had tied fraud involving hundreds of credit cards to a number of Marriott properties operated by White Lodging Services, which is based in Merrillville, Ind. The affected hotels were located in Austin, Texas, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Louisville, Ky., and Tampa, Fla., among other cities, reported Krebs.

White Lodging confirmed Saturday that it's investigating the reported data breach. "An investigation is in progress, and we will provide meaningful information as soon as it becomes available," White Lodge spokeswoman Kathleen Quilligan told The Times of Northwest Indiana.

White Lodge, described on the company's website as "a fully integrated hotel ownership, development, and operations company," is owned by Dean White, 90, whose hotel, real estate, and billboard business empire has given him what Forbes estimated to be a net worth of $1.9 billion. His company now manages 168 hotels under a variety of brand names, including Hilton and its Hampton Inn brand; Marriott and its Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, and Springhill Suites brands; and Starwood and its Sheraton and Westin brands.

Spokesmen for Hilton and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the apparent data breach.

But Saturday, Marriott issued a statement about the "White Lodging Data Breach," which confirmed that unusual levels of fraud had been detected at the hospitality company.

"One of our franchise management companies has experienced unusual fraud patterns in connection with its systems that process credit card transactions at a number of hotels across a range of brands, including some Marriott-branded hotels," the Marriott statement read. "They are in the midst of the investigation and are in close contact with the banks and credit cards companies."

Marriott said that it had no more details to share, at least not yet. "Because the suspected breach did not impact any systems that Marriott owns or controls, we do not have additional information to provide," it said. "Since this impacts customers of Marriott properties, we want to provide assurance that Marriott has a long-standing commitment to protect the privacy of the personal information that our guests entrust to us, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."

A Marriott spokesman didn't immediately respond to an emailed request for comment about what the latter part of that statement meant, and if by "commitment to protect the privacy" of its customers, Marriott meant that it would compensate anyone affected by the breach.

The potential White Lodging data breach comes in the wake of recently discovered breaches at several major retailers, including Target, which suffered a breach that ran from Nov. 27 through Dec. 15, 2013, and resulted in the theft of 40 million credit cards. Likewise, Neiman Marcus recently disclosed that a breach that ran from July 16 to Oct. 30, 2013, resulted in the theft of up to 1.1 million cards. Finally, arts-and-crafts retailer Michaels Stores recently confirmed that it may have suffered a breach, but has yet to confirm whether any data was stolen.

Target and Neiman Marcus, at least, appear to have been targeted by online attackers wielding memory-scraping malware, which can intercept unencrypted card data from point-of-sale systems.

Beyond the retail hacks, as the apparent breach at White Lodging suggests, hoteliers -- given the volume of credit and debit card information they process -- have long been hacking targets too. For example, the Federal Trade Commission in 2012 filed a complaint against hospitality company Wyndham Worldwide Corporation -- which manages more than 7,000 hotels -- after it suffered three hack attacks in the space of two years, resulting in the estimated theft of more than 600,000 credit cards, leading to $10.6 million in fraudulent charges. The FTC alleged that the company failed to institute a robust information security program. Wyndham officials, however, have both denied that assessment and argued in court filings that Congress never granted the FTC "the authority to pursue such cases against American businesses." A federal judge is set to rule soon on the suit.

Meanwhile, the Senate banking committee was set to hold a hearing Monday afternoon about ways in which consumers' financial information could be better protected. The committee was set to hear testimony from the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, the American Bankers Association, the National Retail Foundation, a consumer rights group, and the FTC. Also due to testify was a representative of the Secret Service, which is reportedly leading the government's investigations into the data breaches at, and theft of card data from, the aforementioned retailers.

Some of Our Latest Articles:

* Gyft + eGifter + BitDazzle + BitSeats = A  *#$@Load of Places To Spend Bitcoins! 

* Online Privacy Tools and Tips

* What is BitCoin and How Does It Work?

www.DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com

Next-Generation Bug / Microwave / ELF / Spy Phone / GSM And Camera Detectors (Buy, Rent, Layaway) tinyurl.com/2eo8mlz Open...
— Spy Store Rentals (@MontyHenry1)

Nanny IP (Internet) Cameras, GPS Trackers, Bug Detectors and Listening Devices, etc, (Buy / Rent / Layaway): tinyurl.com/396jlw6...
— Spy Store Rentals (@MontyHenry1)

NOW, look in on your home, second home, lake house or office anytime, anywhere from any internet connected PC/Lap-top or Internet active cell phone, including iphone or PDA.

Watch your child's caregiver while sitting at a traffic light or lunch meeting, or check on your business security from the other side of the world. Our built-in hidden video features all digital transmissions providing a crystal clear image with zero interference. With the IP receiver stream your video over the internet through your router, and view on either a PC or smart phone. Designed exclusively for DPL-Surveillance-Equipment, these IP hidden wireless cameras come with multiple features to make the user's experience hassle-free.

NOW, look in on your home, second home, lake house or office anytime, anywhere from any internet connected PC/Lap-top or Internet active cell phone, including iphone or PDA: http://www.dpl-surveillance-equipment.com/wireless_hidden_cameras.html

Watch your child's caregiver while sitting at a traffic light or lunch meeting, or check on your business security from the other side of the world. Our built-in hidden video features all digital transmissions providing a crystal clear image with zero interference. With the IP receiver stream your video over the internet through your router, and view on either a PC or smart phone. Designed exclusively for DPL-Surveillance-Equipment, these IP hidden wireless cameras come with multiple features to make the user's experience hassle-free.

• Remote Video Access

• Video is Recorded Locally To An Installed SD Card (2GB SD Card included)

• Email Notifications (Motion Alerts, Camera Failure, IP Address Change, SD Card Full)

• Live Monitoring, Recording And Event Playback Via Internet

• Back-up SD Storage Up To 32GB (SD Not Included)

• Digital Wireless Transmission (No Camera Interference)

• View LIVE On Your SmartPhone!

Includes:

* Nanny Cameras w/ Remote View
* Wireless IP Receiver
* Remote Control
* A/C Adaptor
* 2GB SD Card
* USB Receiver



FACT SHEET:  HIDDEN NANNY-SPY (VIEW VIA THE INTERNET) CAMERAS

Specifications:

Receiver Specs:

* Transmission Range of 500 ft Line Of Sight
* Uses 53 Channels Resulting In No Interference
* 12V Power Consumption
* RCA Output
* Supports up to 32gig SD

Camera Specs:

* 640x480 / 320x240 up to 30fps
* Image Sensor: 1/4" Micron Sensor
* Resolution: 720x480 Pixels
* S/N Ratio: 45 db
* Sensitivity: 11.5V/lux-s @ 550nm
* Video System: NTSC
* White Balance: Auto Tracking

Make Your Own Nanny Cameras:  Make Tons Of Money In A Booming, Nearly Recession-Proof Industry!

Your Primary Customers Include But Are Not Limited To Anyone In The Private Investigator, Government, Law Enforcement And/Or Intelligence Agencies Fields!

* You Buy Our DVR Boards And We'll Build Your Products! (Optional)

Our New Layaway Plan Adds Convenience For Online Shoppers

DPL-Surveillance-Equipment's layaway plan makes it easy for you to buy the products and services that you want by paying for them through manageable monthly payments that you set. Our intuitive calculator allows you to break down your order's purchase price into smaller payment amounts. Payments can be automatically deducted from your bank account or made in cash using MoneyGram® ExpressPayment® Services and you will receive your order once it's paid in full. Use it to plan and budget for holiday purchases, anniversaries, birthdays, vacations and more!

DPL-Surveillance-Equipment's Customers can now use the convenience of layaway online to help them get through these tough economic times.

We all shop now and then just to face a hard reality -- big credit card bills. However, our latest financing innovation can help you avoid that. Find out why more and more shoppers are checking out DPL-Surveillance-Equipment's e-layaway plan.

If you're drooling over a new nanny camera, longing for a GPS tracker, or wishing for that spy watch, but you're strapped for cash and can't afford to do credit, do what Jennie Kheen did. She bought her iPod docking station (hidden camera w/motion-activated DVR) online using our convenient lay-away plan.

Our online layaway plan works like the old-fashioned service stores used to offer. But, in Kheen's case, she went to DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com, found the iPod docking station (hidden camera w/motion-activated DVR), then set up a payment plan.

"It's automatically drawn from my account," she said. "I have a budget, $208.00 a month.

In three months, Kheen had paid off the $650.00 iPod docking station. She paid another 3.9 percent service fee, which amounted to about $25.35 (plus $12.00 for shipping) for a total of $687.35.

"You pay a little bit each month," Kheen said. "It's paid off when you get it and you don't have it lingering over your head. It's great."

Flexible payment terms and automated payments make our layaway plan an affordable and fiscally responsible alternative to credit cards.

1. Register:

It's quick, easy and FREE! No credit check required!

2. Shop:

Select the items or service you want and choose "e-layaway" as your payment option. Our payment calculator makes it easy for you to set up your payment terms.

3. Make Payments:

Payments are made on the schedule YOU set. Check your order status or adjust your payments online in a secure environment.

4. Receive Products:

Receive the product shortly after your last payment. The best part, it's paid in full... NO DEBT.

More Buying Power:

* Our lay-away plan offers a safe and affordable payment alternative without tying up your credit or subjecting the purchase to high-interest credit card fees.

No Credit Checks or Special Qualifications:

* Anyone 18 years old or older can join. All you need is an active bank account.

Freedom From Credit Cards:

* If you are near or beyond your credit limit or simply want to avoid high interest credit card fees, our e-layaway is the smart choice for you.

Flexible Payment Schedules:

* Similar to traditional layaway, e-layaway lets you make regular payments towards merchandise, with delivery upon payment in full. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account or made in cash using MoneyGram® ExpressPayment®

A Tool for Planning Ahead:

* Our e-layaway makes it easy for smart shoppers like you to plan ahead and buy items such as bug detectors, nanny cameras, audio bugs, gps trackers, and more!

No Hidden Charges or Mounting Interest:

Our e-layaway makes shopping painless by eliminating hidden charges and monthly interest fees. Our customers pay a flat transaction fee on the initial purchase price.

NO RISK:

* You have the right to cancel any purchase and will receive a refund less a cancellation fee. See website for details.

Security and Identity Protection:

DPL-Surveillance-Equipment has partnered with trusted experts like McAfee and IDology to ensure the security and integrity of every transaction. Identity verification measures are integrated into our e-layaway system to prevent fraudulent purchases.

Note: Simply Choose e-Lay-Away as a "Payment Option" in The Shopping Cart

DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com is a world leader in providing surveillance and security products and services to Government, Law Enforcement, Private Investigators, small and large companies worldwide. We have one of the largest varieties of state-of-the-art surveillance and counter-surveillance equipment including Personal Protection and Bug Detection Products.

Buy, rent or lease the same state-of-the-art surveillance and security equipment Detectives, PI's, the CIA and FBI use. Take back control!

DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com

Phone: (1888) 344-3742 Toll Free USA
Local: (818) 344-3742
Fax (775) 249-9320

Monty@DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com

Google+ and Gmail
DPLSURVE

Twitter
DPLSURVE

MSN
 Monty@DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com

AOL Instant Messenger
DPLSURVE32

Skype
Montyl32

Yahoo Instant Messenger
Montyi32

Alternate Email Address
montyi32@yahoo.com

Join my Yahoo Group!

My RSS Feed

http://topics.bloomberg.com/india/