The American Hotel & Lodging Association today sent out an email alerting the media that several hotels across the United States, including Chicago and Washington, D.C., have reported receiving emails attempting to exhort money.
The emails advise that if the hotel refuses to pay a specified amount each month, they will call/email bomb threats into the hotel.
The AH&LA recommends if hoteliers are contacted, immediately contact your local police department and Kevin Burton with the FBI Cyber Squad at 1.703.686.6706 or Kevin.burton@ic.fbi.gov.
The AH&LA further stated if hoteliers receive bomb threats, immediately call 911 and save all emails from anyone contacting the hotel about such threats. It also suggests reviewing security procedures with staff, as well as consult the many resources of the Educational Institute, a subsidiary of AH&LA, including Eye on Awareness – Hotel Security and Anti-Terrorism Online Training.