COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Concerns about identity theft have consumers wondering if the magnetic strip on the back of hotel key cards include sensitive personal information.

How easy could it be for information such as names, addresses and credit card numbers to fall into the wrong hands?

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Barton H. Hacker, deputy director of government affairs for the Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association, said key cards usually have three tracks for potential information. He said banks and credit card companies use two tracks, but hotel key cards only use one track.

"The software product that has been given to the hotel community actually prevents the use of the first two tracks on the magnetic strip," Hacker said. "So the guests are not in fear at all of having any personal information on those cards whatsoever."

The guest's name and room number is loaded onto the room key, as well as the check-in and check-out time.

"The reason why you have the length of stay on the key card is that once that stay is over, the key will no longer work in the lock," Hacker said.

The key cards also can serve as added security, Jackson reported. Hotel management can determine when your door was opened and if your key card or another key card was used.

More Information:

• Hotel Key Urban Legend Page