It is not uncommon for guests to let hotel property like towels or bathrobes “disappear” in their suitcases. For this reason, more and more hoteliers are using special chips to combat theft.
Anyone who shoplifts from a supermarket should expect the checkout scanner to set off an alarm if it detects stolen items. Things look completely different in hotels where outsiders usually come out unscathed.
The goods stolen from the most popular hotels are undoubtedly towels and bathrobes. As reported by the online portal Jigmore and more hotels are using RFID radio chips that activate a signal on the receptionist’s tablet when hotel visitors leave the building with an item from the establishment.
For this reason, hotel tester Tassilo Keilmann advised in the newspaper WELT: “It’s better not to do it! “It would be embarrassing.”
Chips sewn into towels to catch thieves
According to Keilmann, a survey of 1,157 hoteliers revealed that more and more hotel operators are resorting to this security measure. Especially the directors of four and five star hotels are strengthening their security measures.
RFID radio chips, often used in supermarkets, weigh 1 gram, 2 millimeters in size and have a range of up to 10 meters. They are also extremely robust, meaning they can withstand many washes. “More and more hotels are using RFID chips sewn into bathrobes or towels”says Keilmann.
You think you took it, but you will end up paying for it
Those who leave the hotel with suitcases containing stolen items such as bathrobes or towels are often not publicly displayed or directly recorded.
However, the equivalent value of stolen goods may end up on your credit card bill. According to Keilmann, this is due to a very specific reason: “Hoteliers don’t want to alienate other guests”.
Sometimes thieves, especially regular guests, can get lucky: instead of an extra bill, they simply receive a note in the guest system as a warning indicating the theft.
Fountain: Computer Bild
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Tags: Travel, security
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