Hotel room may not keep your stuff safe

(WWLP) - A security expert blames the bad economy for a rise in hotel crime.

And 22News I-Team reporter Jaclyn Cashman says the laws are not on your side if something is stolen from your hotel room.

Travelers maintain a false sense of security when on vacation, but after this report you may be more inclined to use that safe in your hotel room.

Who has access to your hotel room and all your personal belongings? Housekeeping can come in almost anytime to tidy up your room. But are they cleaning out your checking account as well?

Todd Loznak has learned the hard way to leave nothing valuable in his hotel room. "I am victim of about three incidents so I can vouch for that personally."

One hotel security expert says criminals look at hotels and travelers as easy targets, especially now.

Philip Farina of Farina and Associates, a hotel security expert, said "The economic downturn could be forcing people who would have not normally committed such crime now start engaging in these activities."

If an item is stolen in your room it becomes a he said/she said situation. There is even a law in Massachusetts and other states that puts a cap on hotel liability.

In the Bay State the most you can collect on stolen items is $1,000, but first you have to prove the hotel is responsible.

To read a copy of the law click here.