Hostel scanned my credit card

I just arrived in New York and the woman at the reception scanned my passport (ok, happens everywhere) AND my credit card! The thing about my credit card: it has the credit card number and the CCV on the same side.

Is that legally even allowed? I've been traveling the world for 9 month and no hostel ever scanned my credit card.

She said they need it as a deposit (otherwise 50$) and will delete it after I check out. Just sounds like some blabla. It feels very unsafe to me.

Best Answer

A lot of the time, hotels take a card and swipe/scan it for incidentals such as the minibar, room service, laundry etc. however I haven't had this happen to me at a hostel before. I'm sure it's just the same kind of situation and the hostel is more of a higher end version of what I have experienced before. I wouldn't worry, but if you are, just keep an eye on your statements and report anything suspicious to your bank. With the security number on the front it sounds like an Amex to me, and they are extremely stringent with fraudulent activity.