How Often Are Hotel Housekeepers Caught Stealing from Guest Rooms?
As someone who was previously a housekeeper, my experience has been that I have never encountered any housekeepers who would touch any of the guests' things. If items were left out on the beds or furniture, they were left untouched. Should any housekeepers engage in theft, it is likely that they are few and far between in my area.
Case of Caught Housekeepers
Most of the time, housekeepers who steal are not caught unless a camera is placed in the room and evidence is provided. It is also important to report this directly to the police, not the hotel desk, as they may be involved or implicated. If you leave anything in your room, it is likely to be examined. Suitcases and pockets in your clothes are not secure places to hide money left behind, as housekeepers are professional thieves and are not well-paid.
Nothing is safe. Even high-end hotels in places like Las Vegas are not immune to such incidents. I lived in such a hotel for 30 years and heard numerous stories about such situations. Whether it happens frequently is debatable, but if you are paranoid, it's wise to take all your valuable items, such as your wallet, phone, and other important belongings, with you when you leave.
Factors Affecting Thefts
It depends on how much the housekeeper cares about their job. If they don't care and prefer to slob around or have an attitudes, the temptation to steal may be higher. However, if they are friendly and professional, they are less likely to engage in theft but one should still exercise caution. It is important to pay attention to how a person acts when you approach them. If you have a bad feeling about the housekeeper, communicate with them or if you catch them in the act, report them immediately.
Technological Solutions to Combat Theft
It's worth noting that key card locks used in hotels have a memory chip that records the card used at what time, allowing for the identification of who entered the room. One individual was caught thanks to this system, and faced criminal prosecution.
While theft by housekeepers does happen on rare occasions, the majority of hotel employees take their job seriously and treat guests with professionalism. Hotel management generally takes this issue seriously and has strict protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring.