Hacker attack on the hotel, about 10,000 customers alerted (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The Hotel Schweizerhof in Lenzerheide has been hacked.
• Approximately 10,000 customers were alerted.
• Fraudsters ask for personal data and credit card numbers via WhatsApp.

Key facts

• What: Hacker attack on the Schweizerhof hotel.

• Where: Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
• Who: Owner Andreas Züllig.
• Amount: Approximately 10,000 customers alerted.

The Hotel Schweizerhof in Lenzerheide was the victim of a hacker attack. The facility has sent a safety alert to approximately 10,000 customers. The owner, Andreas Züllig, told the Sonntagsblick that the booking systems used by the four-star property were hacked, later confirming this to the Keystone-SDA news agency.

In its email, the hotel warns against replying to WhatsApp messages and clicking on any links. It is not yet clear how and what data was stolen. Fraudsters would ask customers, via WhatsApp messages, to provide personal data and credit card numbers. The people involved, according to Züllig, are lured with a credit of 250 francs.

The incident occurred despite the fact that the hotel had its internal protection measures tested in the spring on hardware and software to detect any vulnerabilities. Now the measures will be further strengthened, says Züllig. However, one hundred percent security never exists.

It is not yet

Operational details

Implications for customers

The more than 10,000 customers of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lenzerheide, located in the canton of Graubünden, have been alerted to a possible hacker attack. Fraudsters are trying to obtain personal data and credit card numbers via WhatsApp messages, promising a credit of 250 francs. It is essential that customers do not respond to these messages and do not click on any links contained in the messages. The hotel has already taken internal security measures to protect its systems. However, the attack still happened, proving that no security measure is foolproof. The hotel is now further strengthening its protection measures to prevent future attacks.

Security measures

The hotel has already taken internal security measures to protect its systems. However, the attack still happened, proving that no security measure is foolproof. The hotel is now further strengthening its protection measures to prevent future attacks.

Compare to other attacks

According to the hotel owner, the perpetrators of the attack are the same as other attacks on hotels. This suggests that there may be a link to a hacker attack on an Austrian IT service provider. The Schweizerhof is connected to this system via a booking platform, which may have facilitated the attack.

Customer Checklist

1.

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Key points

Actions to Take

If you are a guest of the Hotel Schweizerhof in Lenzerheide and have received suspicious messages via WhatsApp, it is crucial not to respond and not to click on any links. Immediately contact the hotel at +41 81 385 85 85 to report the incident and follow the instructions provided to protect your personal data. Remember that the security of your data is a priority, and every timely action can make a difference.

Useful Tools

For further information on how to protect your personal data and credit cards, consult our security calculator. Additionally, the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA) of June 19, 1992, stipulates that companies must adopt adequate measures to protect the personal data of their customers. In case of a breach, penalties can amount to up to CHF 250,000.

Operational Checklist for Guests

• Do not respond to suspicious messages.
• Do not click on unknown links.
• Contact the hotel immediately at +41 81 385 85 85.
• Follow the instructions provided by the hotel to protect your data.
• Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for any suspicious transactions.
• Change your passwords if you believe your data may be compromised.

Concrete Examples

In 2020, the Hotel Schweizerhof experienced a cyber attack that compromised the data of approximately 10,000 guests. The hotel immediately informed the relevant authorities and took measures to mitigate the damage. Guests were advised to change their passwords and monitor their bank accounts. Thanks to these timely actions, the impact of the attack was limited.

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