Category Archives: Guest Issues

by | April 12, 2012 · 1:10 am

Hospitality Industry Information Technology Risks: Hotel And Restaurant "POS Systems" Are The #1 Target Of Criminal Data Breaches

If a criminal can breach a system in the restaurant, they also have access to the front desk, the spa and any other connected system. The risk is even greater when hotels are part of a hotel chain with interconnected systems.

Franchise businesses are particularly at risk primarily because franchises tend to have the same POS system duplicated at all locations. If a cybercriminal can figure out a way to breach one, in all likelihood, they can replicate the attack at other locations.

In 2011, Trustwave SpiderLabs conducted 42 percent more data breach investigations than in the previous year. More than 85 percent of these data breaches occurred in the food and beverage, retail and hospitality industries.

Why the focus on these industries? There are several reasons, but the number one is that they all process credit cards. In our investigations, we found that the vast majority of assets targeted by criminals were point-of-sale software systems (75 percent of cases). Think of the scenario of a hotel that maintains a restaurant, a spa, as well as other services all connected to one POS system.  We’ve investigated cases where the criminal breaches the environment at one location and was in turn able to connect todozens of others through the wide area network used by the hotel chain.

For more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/04/11/restaurants-beware-hackers-want-your-customer-data/

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by | · 1:10 am

Hospitality Industry Information Technology Risks: Hotel And Restaurant "POS Systems" Are The #1 Target Of Criminal Data Breaches

If a criminal can breach a system in the restaurant, they also have access to the front desk, the spa and any other connected system. The risk is even greater when hotels are part of a hotel chain with interconnected systems.

Franchise businesses are particularly at risk primarily because franchises tend to have the same POS system duplicated at all locations. If a cybercriminal can figure out a way to breach one, in all likelihood, they can replicate the attack at other locations.

In 2011, Trustwave SpiderLabs conducted 42 percent more data breach investigations than in the previous year. More than 85 percent of these data breaches occurred in the food and beverage, retail and hospitality industries.

Why the focus on these industries? There are several reasons, but the number one is that they all process credit cards. In our investigations, we found that the vast majority of assets targeted by criminals were point-of-sale software systems (75 percent of cases). Think of the scenario of a hotel that maintains a restaurant, a spa, as well as other services all connected to one POS system.  We’ve investigated cases where the criminal breaches the environment at one location and was in turn able to connect todozens of others through the wide area network used by the hotel chain.

For more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/04/11/restaurants-beware-hackers-want-your-customer-data/

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by | April 10, 2012 · 1:36 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Large Identity Theft Operation" Uncovered At California Hotel After Manager Suspected Drug Sales

“…Deputies found fake credit and identification cards as well as computers, printers and software used to make false identification..Deputies also found credit card readers and small cameras that allowed criminals to capture credit card information and PIN numbers. Prepaid credit cards embossed with stolen information which could then be used at businesses were located..”

Sheriff’s deputies broke up a large identity theft operation this past weekend while investigating a report of drug dealing at a hotel room. Investigators contend the material found Sunday at Four Points by Sheraton at 11960 Foothill Blvd. was created using stolen information from card readers or skimmers, Rouse said.

The group allegedly started in Northern California and “have been working their way around,” he said.

On Sunday, a hotel manager called the Sheriff’s Department to report someone was selling drugs in one of the rooms.

Deputies discovered various items indicating Jeffery Wilkinson, 35, Barbara Brown, 32, and Shahin Abdollahi, 46, were involved in a large-scale identity theft ring, sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Jamieson said.

Wilkinson had an arrest warrant and was in the possession of drugs.

For more:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_20355205/rancho-cucamonga-id-theft-ring-uncovered

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by | · 1:36 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Large Identity Theft Operation" Uncovered At California Hotel After Manager Suspected Drug Sales

“…Deputies found fake credit and identification cards as well as computers, printers and software used to make false identification..Deputies also found credit card readers and small cameras that allowed criminals to capture credit card information and PIN numbers. Prepaid credit cards embossed with stolen information which could then be used at businesses were located..”

Sheriff’s deputies broke up a large identity theft operation this past weekend while investigating a report of drug dealing at a hotel room. Investigators contend the material found Sunday at Four Points by Sheraton at 11960 Foothill Blvd. was created using stolen information from card readers or skimmers, Rouse said.

The group allegedly started in Northern California and “have been working their way around,” he said.

On Sunday, a hotel manager called the Sheriff’s Department to report someone was selling drugs in one of the rooms.

Deputies discovered various items indicating Jeffery Wilkinson, 35, Barbara Brown, 32, and Shahin Abdollahi, 46, were involved in a large-scale identity theft ring, sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Jamieson said.

Wilkinson had an arrest warrant and was in the possession of drugs.

For more:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_20355205/rancho-cucamonga-id-theft-ring-uncovered

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by | April 9, 2012 · 6:50 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Sen. Feinstein Pressures California Senate To Adopt Legislation To Curb "Abusive ADA Lawsuits" Against Small Businesses For Minor Violations Of "Disabled-Access Laws"

“…in Redlands, 22 businesses were sued by the same attorney for allegedly failing to post a sign next to the handicapped parking spaces that informed parking violators they would be towed. The business owners settled the cases in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $14,000, Feinstein wrote…”

The bill would require those seeking disabled access to first notify the business of a violation, and then give it 120 days to correct the problem, during which time the firm could not be sued.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has written to the leader of the California Senate, calling for the state to adopt legislation that would curb what she calls abusive lawsuits filed by private attorneys against small businesses for minor violations of disabled-access laws, and warning that if the state doesn’t act, she will.

Feinstein said some attorneys are filing “abusive lawsuits,” and “coercive demand letters” to force small businesses to pay thousands of dollars over often-minor noncompliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act and the state Unruh Civil Rights Act.

Steinberg wrote back that the California Legislature shares her concerns and approved a measure in 2008 that helps businesses come into compliance and makes it tougher to sue. The state leader disputed Feinstein’s contention that SB 1186 by state Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) is a possible answer.

For more:  http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-sen-feinstein-calls-on-state-to-curb-abusive-lawsuits-over-ada-20120404,0,7811356.story

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by | · 6:50 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Sen. Feinstein Pressures California Senate To Adopt Legislation To Curb "Abusive ADA Lawsuits" Against Small Businesses For Minor Violations Of "Disabled-Access Laws"

“…in Redlands, 22 businesses were sued by the same attorney for allegedly failing to post a sign next to the handicapped parking spaces that informed parking violators they would be towed. The business owners settled the cases in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $14,000, Feinstein wrote…”

The bill would require those seeking disabled access to first notify the business of a violation, and then give it 120 days to correct the problem, during which time the firm could not be sued.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has written to the leader of the California Senate, calling for the state to adopt legislation that would curb what she calls abusive lawsuits filed by private attorneys against small businesses for minor violations of disabled-access laws, and warning that if the state doesn’t act, she will.

Feinstein said some attorneys are filing “abusive lawsuits,” and “coercive demand letters” to force small businesses to pay thousands of dollars over often-minor noncompliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act and the state Unruh Civil Rights Act.

Steinberg wrote back that the California Legislature shares her concerns and approved a measure in 2008 that helps businesses come into compliance and makes it tougher to sue. The state leader disputed Feinstein’s contention that SB 1186 by state Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) is a possible answer.

For more:  http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-sen-feinstein-calls-on-state-to-curb-abusive-lawsuits-over-ada-20120404,0,7811356.story

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by | April 6, 2012 · 1:46 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: U.S. House Introduces Bill Calling For "One-Year Extension Of The ADA Deadline" On Installation Of Public Pool Lifts

“…A second congressional bill addressing the Americans with Disabilities Act has been introduced…once Congressman Mulvaney saw the strain placed on small-business owners who were rushed to [comply], and the concern for the safety of those using pool lifts, he decided to introduce [the bill]…”

It would prohibit lawsuits against pool and spa facilities for ADA violations alleged to occur between March 15, 2012, and one year after enactment of the bill. “Congressman Mulvaney believes portable lifts and shared lifts are the best solution…,”

On March 26, Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) introduced H.R. 4256, calling for a one-year extension of the ADA deadline for public pools. If passed, the bill also would allow portable lifts and sharing of lifts between vessels. “It allows for lift accessibility and safety, as well as being more economically achievable…”
The bill has 26 original co-sponsors. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is among the most recognized, and Mike Ross (D-Ark.) is the only Democrat.
In early March, Mulvaney joined 67 members of Congress in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces the ADA, decrying its decision not to allow portable lifts or sharing. In addition, he took issue with the timing of the decision, which came 45 days before the deadline. “In that short time, approximately 309,000 pools or spas would need their own individual lifts,” McAdaragh said. The letter asked the DOJ to, at the very least, extend the deadline by six months.

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by | · 1:46 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: U.S. House Introduces Bill Calling For "One-Year Extension Of The ADA Deadline" On Installation Of Public Pool Lifts

“…A second congressional bill addressing the Americans with Disabilities Act has been introduced…once Congressman Mulvaney saw the strain placed on small-business owners who were rushed to [comply], and the concern for the safety of those using pool lifts, he decided to introduce [the bill]…”

It would prohibit lawsuits against pool and spa facilities for ADA violations alleged to occur between March 15, 2012, and one year after enactment of the bill. “Congressman Mulvaney believes portable lifts and shared lifts are the best solution…,”

On March 26, Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) introduced H.R. 4256, calling for a one-year extension of the ADA deadline for public pools. If passed, the bill also would allow portable lifts and sharing of lifts between vessels. “It allows for lift accessibility and safety, as well as being more economically achievable…”
The bill has 26 original co-sponsors. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is among the most recognized, and Mike Ross (D-Ark.) is the only Democrat.
In early March, Mulvaney joined 67 members of Congress in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces the ADA, decrying its decision not to allow portable lifts or sharing. In addition, he took issue with the timing of the decision, which came 45 days before the deadline. “In that short time, approximately 309,000 pools or spas would need their own individual lifts,” McAdaragh said. The letter asked the DOJ to, at the very least, extend the deadline by six months.

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by | April 5, 2012 · 1:40 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Oklahoma Hotel Fire Linked To Water Heater Closet That Spread To Attic; Over $40,000 In Damage

“….(the fire posssibly) started in a water heater closet in one unit and spread to  the attic…Crews are reporting fire damage in two units and smoke damage in the other  six.  The damage is estimated at $40,000 to $50,000…”

One man was taken to the hospital and 10 people lost their place to sleep  after an overnight hotel fire.

Flames broke out around 2 a.m. at Studio 6 Extended Stay Hotel near 41st and  Memorial.

Investigators say the fire is not suspicious. Several people suffered minor smoke inhalation.  One man was transported  to the hospital as a precaution.N

No other injuries were reported.

Read more: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/fire-at-hotel-displaces-guests-sends-1-man-to-hospital#ixzz1r8LKFV00

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by | April 4, 2012 · 1:00 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Restaurants Could Face "Americans With Disabilities Act" (ADA) Lawsuits Over Failure To Accommodate Disabled Guests Using "Service Horses"

“…business owners are getting nervous about a new federal regulation requiring a  particular breed of horse to be allowed into shops and restaurants across the  country…”

The case, as well as the regulation, has drawn concern from at least one  lawmaker on Capitol  Hill, as well as the National Restaurant Association.

The Justice  Department regulations were tailored for so-called “service” horses –  miniature horses that, like service dogs, accompany the blind and others with  disabilities to help them get around.

But the rules were a lawsuit waiting to happen,  according to critics. And sure enough, a suit was filed earlier this month in  Los Angeles, by a man who uses a wheelchair and keeps a miniature horse named  Princess — and who claims a local GameStop and Marshalls refused him and his  horse service.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/29/businesses-face-lawsuit-fears-as-feds-mandate-service-horses-be-allowed/#ixzz1r2aEZp6a

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