Bogus pizza leaflet scam still operating

RIP-OFF ALERT: Criminals who distribute bogus leaflets for non-existent pizza joints in an effort to solicit tourists' credit card numbers are operating unchecked in Central Florida.

I first told you about this scam some months ago when I got wind that it was gaining momentum in Orlando.

Here's how it works: Travelers return to their hotel room and will call to order a pizza upon finding the flyer. The nice person on the other end of the line gets your credit or debit card number and says your pizza will be delivered shortly. Then they take that info and instantly start using your card number around the world as part of a criminal ring.

The Florida legislature considered banning pizza leafleting because it was hitting tourists so hard. But they ultimately decided that was too much interference in the free market and opted against it.

Yet I recently read that an investigative reporter for Detroit's WXYZ-TV was in Orlando for a TV conference when he ran across this scam. The reporter almost fell prey to this ploy, but fortunately he had the foresight to ask someone at the front desk if the pizza leaflets were legit.

So while you're on the road, I want you to beware of flyers on the door or under the door. Don't let your guard down and assume it's legitimate. Call the front desk to verify, or better yet, ask them for recommendations about legit restaurants.

By doing that, you solve the munchies and you avoid having to spend all night on the phone with your credit card company trying to shut down your account before the criminals spend anymore of your money!