Category Archives: Theft

by | March 20, 2012 · 11:47 am

Hospitality Industry Information Risks: "Specialized Cyber-Risk Insurance" Is Important In Providing "Security Liability" And "Privacy Liability" Coverage

A specialized cyber-risk insurance policy is necessary. Coverage would not usually be triggered under a commercial general liability policy–many of which also have exclusions. Importantly, property-damage policies typically do not acknowledge “data” as property.

“Cyber liability” is essentially comprised of two defined risks:

  • Security Liability: the unauthorized access and/or use of a network. Employees or others with access to the network can misappropriate identity information, business secrets, transmit malicious codes, and undertake a denial of service attack against your network or other networks.
  • Privacy Liability: the breach of personal data protection laws that allow individuals to control the collection, access, transmission, use, and accuracy of their personal information.

The available policy coverage options start with General Internet Crime Liability. This addresses the first and third party risks associated with e-business, the Internet, networks and informational assets.

However, it is critical to review your business activities to ensure appropriate coverage. To this needs to be added appropriate Property, Directors and Officers, Business Interruption and Fidelity wordings. For those businesses offering software and services susceptible to outage or malfunction associated with a cyber-attack, Electronic Errors and Omissions coverage should also be obtained.

For more:  http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/252126/can_insurance_cover_cybercrime_damages_at_your_business.html

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by | March 14, 2012 · 2:41 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: California Hotel Security Guard Charged With "Grand Theft And Burglary"; Accessed Online System To Steal Guest's Valuables

“…In his part-time security job for the hotel, Quinton was entrusted with access to an online lost and found system, which he is suspected of looting…”

“…In addition….(he) covered surveillance cameras in the hotel security office and stole $680 in cash from an office safe…”

A Los Angeles Police Department officer moonlighting as a security guard at Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort is to be charged with grand theft and burglary, the district attorney’s office said on Tuesday. Laguna Beach police, who had set up surveillance cameras within the hotel after its staff reported irregularities that began in October, arrested Quinton on Jan. 24, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

When police arrested Quinton on Jan. 24, he had disappeared for over an hour during his shift, including from surveillance cameras police were monitoring in a spare hotel room, stealing $290 in bedding from a locked hotel storage room, and storing the items in his car. Detectives who went to Quinton’s home after the arrest seized more property, Kravetz said.

Hotel staff aided the investigation with monitoring cameras while detectives observed the employee from a hotel room. “We wanted to make sure we had a really solid case,” said Kravetz, who pointed out that most Orange County law enforcement agencies prohibit sworn officers from moonlighting in security posts or jobs involving alcohol. In Los Angeles County, officers have a long history of moonlighting as security for celebrities, he pointed out.

In October, Quinton allegedly stole cash that had been recovered from a room and secured in the hotel’s lost and found by accessing the online system and changing the cash entry into a “gold watch.” He is suspected of changing the room number where the $2,000 in cash had been found and falsely logging that the watch was returned to its owner, stealing $960 from the safe, Kim’s statement said.

For more:  http://www.lagunabeachindependent.com/2012/03/13/moonlighting-cop-charged-hotel/

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by | March 1, 2012 · 1:24 am

Hospitality Industry Information Risks: Hotel's Store "Enormous Amounts Of Data" That Is Never Used; 100% At Risk And 0% Value

“…companies can go a long way toward reducing their exposure to significant losses resulting from a security breach by putting themselves on a “data diet…There is an enormous amount of information that we never use, but we never get rid of. It’s 100% risk and 0% value. As a risk manager, that’s the scariest equation you’re ever going to hear…”

While there is no way for companies to completely eliminate the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks, there are several steps they can take to reduce their potential financial and reputational losses, a panel of experts said Thursday at the third annual Business Insurance Risk Management Summit®in New York.

“The fact is that you’re going to be attacked. That’s the reality,” said Alan Brill, senior managing director of secure information services for New York-based Kroll Inc. A well-crafted cyber risk management program need not be wildly expensive or complex, Mr Kroll said, but should at least strive for “commercially reasonable levels” based on company size and industry.

For more:  http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20120229/NEWS06/120229881?tags=|338|299|302|342|303|335

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by | February 25, 2012 · 9:26 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel Manager Charged With Felony Theft For "Activating Company Credit Card" And Making Over $20,000 In Purchases

“….(the former manager) …obtained and activated a credit card without the knowledge of the owners of Mifflinburg Hotel Inc./Scarlet D while he was employed as the manager…(he) then made numerous purchases from Oct. 13, 2010, through Oct. 7…”

A former manager at the Scarlet D/Mifflinburg Hotel is facing several felony theft charges after he allegedly activated a credit card in the business’ name and made purchases totaling $20,363.32.

David Alan Burns, 56, of 121 Georgetown Lane, Milton, was arrested and charged with felony counts of forgery-unauthorized act in writing, access device fraud, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required dispositions of funds received and receiving stolen property. He was arraigned and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

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by | February 23, 2012 · 8:00 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Missouri Hotel Accounting Employee Pleads Guilty To "Stealing $170,000 From Petty Cash" Over Seven Years

Mosier was the director of accounting services at Springfield University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. She admitted defrauding the hotel for more than seven years, beginning in January 2003, by inflating reports of spending from petty cash and diverting the money to her own bank account.

A southwest Missouri woman faces up to 20 years in prison after admitting she stole nearly $170,000 from a Springfield hotel where she worked.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says 47-year-old Janet R. Mosier pleaded guilty Wednesday to allegations in a federal information charging her with wire fraud.

A sentencing date will be scheduled later.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/ex-employee-admits-k-theft-from-mo-hotel/article_70d0ebf8-7847-5c2a-82b4-43288b0a9560.html#ixzz1nDl3Hzry

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by | February 18, 2012 · 1:53 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Minnesota Hotel Office Robbery Foiled As Suspect "Falls Through Bathroom Ceiling"

“…The employees also reported they found a man…in the bathroom. It appeared that Gifford had pulled himself up into the dropped ceiling and was attempting to crawl across it when he fell through… the hotel’s main office, which was locked at the time, is next to the bathroom…”

A Pennsylvania man was arrested at a downtown Mankato hotel this morning after employees there reported he had fallen through a bathroom ceiling. Police responded to the call from employees at the City Center Hotel, 101 E. Main St., at 12:46 a.m. They said they found damage in the men’s bathroom after hearing a loud noise.

When Garrett was questioned by an officer, he said he was downtown with some friends and he “thought it would be fun” to crawl through a ceiling.

Police are requesting charges of disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and attempted burglary.

For more:  http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x913139853/Fall-through-ceiling-foils-alleged-burglary

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by | February 16, 2012 · 1:55 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Thieves Target Florida Hotel Guest Rooms While Housekeepers Are Inside Cleaning

“They’re going up to the floors where housekeeping is, and while the housekeepers are inside the rooms cleaning, the suspects are going in and they’re rummaging through personal belongings left behind,”

“…One suspect allegedly distracted the maid … while it is alleged that the other suspect may have been looking around the room for items of value,”

High-security airport badges and a laptop computer were among items reported missing in one of three incidents at St. Lucie West hotels thought to be the work of people who distract cleaning staff to try to steal things, according to a Port St. Lucie police spokesman Wednesday and reports.

In a Feb. 4 case at a SpringHill Suites on Northwest Courtyard Circle near Interstate 95, a man said he noticed several things missing from his room after he returned from having breakfast. The 48-year-old man said “several FAA and FCC high-security clearance airport ID badges” were stolen, along with a computer, camera, binoculars, curling iron, cash and other items.

For more:  http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/feb/15/thieves-target-hotel-rooms-while-housekeepers-in/

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by | January 28, 2012 · 6:33 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Florida Hotel Employee Arrested For "Grand Theft" Of Laptops And Smartphones Over Past 18 Months

After nearly a year and a half, Orange County detectives have cracked a case they said involves thousands of dollars in theft from convention-goers and exhibitors at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.

Rodney Hyppolite was arrested this week and charged with grand theft in the case. Some of the crimes he’s accused of date back to August 2010.

Police reports show Hyppolite admitted to stealing laptops, smartphones and other electronics while he was working at the International Drive-area hotel.

He’s also charged with theft from a local Lowe’s store. Cops said Hyppolite profited by selling the electronics at a variety of local pawn shops — mostly Cash America locations. Investigators even matched the suspect’s fingerprints to documents from the pawn shops before getting his confession.

For more:  http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/sheriff-employee-busted-serial-thief-rosen-resort/nHJfh/

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by | January 13, 2012 · 7:16 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: California Hotel Robbery Suspect Entered Guest Rooms Through "Open Doors" And "While Faking A Disability To Avoid Suspicion"

“… in rooms where guests left without closing their doors tightly, jewelry, watches, electronics and wallets were missing. “He had credit cards from some of the victims, we believe he was involved in fraud and identity theft.”

“…Hotel workers told us they believe Hudson used a handicapped placard on his car, and walked with a limp. They speculate that is because of his apparent disability. Some hotel patrons may have opened side doors and let him in…”

Fresno police have arrested a suspect in a series of burglaries in hotels and motels in the Central Valley. Police have linked James McGovern to burglaries at three hotels in Fresno. He’s also a suspect in burglaries in Kingsburg, Clovis, Madera and Chowchilla.

Police think McGovern slipped in through side doors as guests left, and then walked the halls, looking for targets. Fresno Police Sergeant Mark Hudson told Action News the Airport Holiday Inn, The Marriot Courtyard and Homewood Suites in Fresno were among those McGovern hit. “He was going into these hotels and just checking for open doors, maybe where maids had been in going in stealing the TV’s.”

For more: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8503146

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by | January 3, 2012 · 6:35 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Security Risks: California Hotel Rooms Targeted By Thieves As Guests Leave "Patio Doors Open During Nice Weather"

“…(thieves) targeted first-floor Hotel Zoso rooms with open patio doors and took electronics, money and credit cards that were left out in the open…timing it so all the tourists were going to dinner and leaving their patio sliders open because the weather was nice…”

Most of the desert’s 17,000 hotel and motel rooms are expected to be filled from mid-January to early May as season kicks into high gear, leaving the door open for petty thieves to attack.

A number of people fell victim to a Palm Springs hotel burglary spree from April to November because they made two errors that police want current visitors to avoid.

He said eight of the 14 thefts were in October when temperatures were higher and guests left their doors open.

Visitors may not want to keep doors ajar now because of cooler weather, but simply having more people in town increases the amount of potential burglary targets, officials say.

Kazen suggested travelers lock all doors, hide property and be aware of their surroundings to ensure their safety. “They’re just kind of common sense things,” he said.

But they’re also steps that Howard Bianco learned to follow the hard way about five years ago.

The 48-year-old Indio man stayed at a Best Western Inn near Los Angeles International Airport and left his curtain open as he stepped out for dinner one night.

“Someone looked in, saw my iPod and camera, and, long story short, I found the door bashed in and they were gone,” he said. “Never saw them again.” The experience taught Bianco to be more discreet when staying in hotels. He encourages others to do the same, he said.

 In the case of the Hotel Zoso burglaries, the thefts appeared to be crimes of opportunity where the suspect took items from open rooms he came upon by chance.

After climbing over a front wall, Thompson entered first-floor rooms, flipped security latches in case occupants tried to enter from the hallway and took whatever he found, Kovaleff said.

“Stuff small enough to carry,” the sergeant said. “He was in and out.”

Thompson was arrested Nov. 11 after police set up a sting at the hotel. As two officers hid in the bathroom, the suspect entered a room through an unlocked patio door.

For more:  http://www.mydesert.com/article/20120103/NEWS0801/201030305/Hotel-season-can-also-bring-out-some-burglars?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage

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