Thanks mev, in the last few years we've stayed a few times in mom and pop places, as well as the lower end chain type ones, maybe we just weren't aware of it taking place, as you described (using credit card to pay)
In the small motels paid in cash, there certainly wasn't any mention of it, but maybe being older folks who look pretty darn boring, they don't figure its an issue, especially as we show up tired and clearly wanting just to have a shower, eat and go to bed by 8 or 9.......