Scam Warning

[Ian]

I just happened to see this in an article on CNN.com about the 10 most popular travel scams and I thought I'd better share it:

Orlando

Here's a scam so bad even Mickey Mouse took a stand. Guests in hotels around Disney World have been finding pizza delivery menus conveniently slipped under their doors, but place an order -- and make the mistake of giving your credit card number -- and you'll really pay. The phone number isn't connected to a pizza parlor but to identity thieves. Disney World supported a law designed to crack down on the people handing out the fliers, but Orlando police say the problem persists.

Solution: If you're craving a slice, get a recommendation from the hotel.

[Altair]

This has been going on for years. You would think they could catch some of these people.

[BrerGnat]

Yeah, this has been going on for awhile now. There are even little cards next to the phones warning about not giving your credit card number over the phone, and only ordering food from reputable, nationwide chains (such as Dominos, Papa John's, etc.)

[Basket Mommy]

Yep. This has been happening for years. Best bet: call a reputable chain whose number you get from the phone book, or pay with cash.

[tinksmom02]

On two occasions on our last trip we found menus under our door. On one of those occasions I had seen the people, and called the front desk to alert them. I was more concerned about the fact that they were on property, but this scam thing is a whole new ball of yarn.

[TheDuckRocks]

When we stayed at the Boardwalk we had a flyer daily under our door. As we were using the Deluxe DDP (never again) on that trip and just the thought of pizza on top of all the over eating we were all ready doing was

[exvagirl]

Just got back on Thrusday, and on one of the first nights when we came back to the room, there was probably half a dozen of these pizza flyers laying on the floor behind the door.

[mgmnut]

When we were down last month we had fliers slipped under the door twice at VWL. I actually commented about it to my DW and wondered how they get in to do that. I thought maybe they did when delivering to other guests. Something just didn't seem right about it and now I know it isn't right.

I wonder, if you call and say you will pay cash when the pizza is delivered will a pizza really be delivered?

[VWL Mom]

On two occasions on our last trip we found menus under our door. On one of those occasions I had seen the people, and called the front desk to alert them. I was more concerned about the fact that they were on property, but this scam thing is a whole new ball of yarn.

I would have called too. It's a bit disconcerting that these guys are just roaming the hallways unnoticed. They could easily jack a door open if they wanted.

[crltkcagle]

These people are the scum of the earth! We own a small business and had one man placing online orders literally all day! He was using a different credit card every time. So we called our internet company and they said he was "running credit cards" In other words, He was trying to see which cards were good and which were not. We immediately refunded everyone's money and told the local authorities. I just feel bad for all the thousands of people who's credit card numbers this guy stole!

Whatever happened to "thou shall NOT steal?"

[Buttercup]

Come to think of it, last January when we were there, I arrived back at my room and there was a guy putting a flier on my door. I just chucked the piece of paper immediately but now that I know about the scam, I'll definitely contact the front desk and let them know if I see them again.

Thanks for the info, Intercot!

[PawleyPlatoon]

Thanks for this important information!!!

[disneymom2000]

I think I will just head down to the food court or over to the Italy Pavalion at EPCOT if I get a hankering for Pizza. If I am in WDW they will be the ones who get my hard earned cash.

[GrumpyFan]

I heard about this one a while back. Thanks for re-posting and reminding people. The sad part about this is that a lot of people visiting Orlando/Disney, dont read this site or any of the local news, so they don't know about these kinds of issues. Its also sad because a lot of people (myself included) tend to think of being in fantasyland when we're on Disney property, which just makes us all the more ripe for getting scammed. So, be careful everybody. These scammers are always looking for new ways to steal your money.

[Scar]

I think the fact that pizza is even sold in Florida is a scam.

[GrumpyFan]

I think the fact that pizza is even sold in Florida is a scam.

Indeed!

[SteveL]

The only good pizza at WDW is at Via Napoli. Just like the pizza I get in Italy

[hokies4life]

I knew this was going on off site, but its happening on property too? That's crazy!

I remember one time we were off property the people in the hotel room next to us ordered from one of those flyers. They did get some food but not everything they ordered. The person still took all their money (cash) and said they would be back with the rest of their food. They never came back.

Every off property hotel we've stayed at since has a card in the room saying to not order from the flyers and to talk to the front desk if you want to find a place to order from.

[princessgirls]

Disney now has a information in your room on how to avoid this "Pizza Scam".

Julie

[diz_girl]

The only good pizza at WDW is at Via Napoli. Just like the pizza I get in Italy

That's the only pizza that I plan on eating while at WDW this November - I've got my ADR.


Thanks for posting this. This type of thing probably wouldn't occur to me on vacation, but it doesn't surprise me.

Although WDW and other hotels might post signs by the phone, most people would probably call the number with their cell phone and never notice the signs.