Ameri-scam.

Two months ago I wrote a short article about a telemarketing call that I received from AmeriVacation. It has very quickly become one of the most viewed pages on this site, and also the most commented upon, by many people who are worried that they have been conned.

With just a little digging I’ve started to unearth some more information on AmeriVacation, and some “companies” that appear to be related.

It appears that AmeriVacation is only the latest front. They set up a website, to appear legitimate and then cold call people, anyone whose number they can get using an automated calling mechanism (which is very simple to do with a computer). They then sell a package that is not what it appears to be and then make it very difficult to obtain a refund.

Sadly the people that get scammed are often the most vulnerable people who can least afford to lose such a large amount of money.

Through my digging I discovered a little about the history of the scams, and a little about how they’re all related. What follows is a brief review of the links so that others may pick up the trail more easily.

The currently active websites (which can be linked through identical wording, identical phone numbers, IP addresses that resolve to the same physical machines, etc) are:

www.amerivacation.com
www.expertholidays.com
www.yourvipholiday.com (bad press) (more)
www.flbahamastravelhome.com
www.mydiscountholiday.com (bad press)
www.doublevacations.com
www.affiliatedtravelnetwork.com
www.brilliantholiday.com (bad popup press)
www.destinationcenter.net
www.myffc.com (bad press)
www.mydiscountholiday.com
www.floridaholidayusa.com – discovered July 2005
www.holidayfloridausa.com – discovered July 2005
www.sunrisetravels.us – discovered August 2005
www.imperialvacation.com – discovered August 2005
www.5starholidays.net – discovered August 2005
www.floridatouristbureau.com – discovered August 2005

Now, anybody that sells a holiday from Florida, or sells a holiday to Florida must be registered. The last entry in the above list , “mydiscountholiday.com” claims a Florida Seller Of Travel License Number of ST35170. In fact, this next list of sites all claim to have that same license number.

www.mydiscountholiday.com (bad press)
www.usafamilygetaway.com (bad press)
www.sandyvacationsllc.com (bad press)
www.floridabureauoftourism.com
http://www.destinationsforyou.com
http://www.celebrationpromotions.com

Another useful thing for linking companies is the address, several of these companies have used “600 North Highway 1792, Suite 120, Longwood Fl 32750″ including:

www.yourvipholiday.com
www.usafamilygetaway.com addres link also mentioned here

That link is important because without it these appear to be two separate groups of companies, when in fact, it’s one big cloud.

The next link in the chain is the phone number, all the sites below are connected because they use the same UK freephone number 0800-917-7462. What’s especially nice is that three of them have also decided to share testimonials too!

www.windsorvacations.com
www.myvacationschoice.com
www.vacations-paradise.com (bad press)
www.sohovacations.com -bullshit testimonial (bad press)
www.centuryvacations.com – bullshit testimonial
www.firstclicktravel.net – bullshit testimonial
www.usafamilygetaway.com

The other address in use is “7632 Southland Blvd, Orlando, FL 32809″ and this is used by:

www.myffc.com
www.mydiscountholiday.com
www.brilliantholiday.com (bad press)
www.destinationcenter.com

Currently www.destinationcenter.com looks like a bit of a sales force advertisement. However, by looking at the caches on google and web.archive.org, it’s apparent that it was also used as travel sales site (hence I got the address match above), selling these same packages – i.e. not just a coincidence, this was the same outfit.

So, who’s behind it? Well, according to this story, it all comes back to to a Altef Hemani (aka Alex Hemani), who has a history of such scams.

His name is as good as mud on the internet, so he’s tried to combat this by buying a few websites and and writing eulogies about himself.

Each of those sites, incidentally, is owned by the same company: Travel Express Investments 385 Center Point Cir, Altamont Springs, FL 32701.

What’s especially interesting is that the administrative contact for the domains is Arif Rajan who may be the same business man whos only newsworthy moment until now was that in 2002 he was was questioned and released without charge regarding money laundering for terrorist organisations.

Sources

Naturally the information I’ve been able to gather and present here is all freely available to the public. Please feel free to check, corroborate, dispute, disprove or otherwise extended it through your own investigation.

I have found the following resources most useful:

http://whois.net/ which provides information about the owners of domain names.
http://sunbiz.org/ which provides information from the Florida Department of State regarding companies, and the persons legally responsible for those companies.
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which regulates travel in Florida.

681 Comments

« Previous 1 … 12 13 14

Jay says:

05/12/2006 at 18:43

HI, I live in the New York area. I recently came across a web page with your comments about Ameri-vacations scam. I am glad everyone made their posts. I was recently contacted by GreatVacationDestinations (a.k.a BlueGreenLive.com).

My wife and I recently attended a expo center for parents to be as we will be first time parents in the spring. There were many booths with free contests. Win a car, win a trip win a shopping spree etc. I usually never participate in free things knowing that it is mostly all fake and just designed to draw attention but now I understand the purpose of them. It is to get information on people so they can try to scam them.

About two weeks after I received a call from an English accented woman named Samantha. Asking me if I remember filling out a form at the expo for a free trip? I replied yes and was told I “won”. First question, my wife’s name..second question: “do I use a credit card when I travel”… and then I remembered that same question on the form. hymmmm now I am thinking to myself… scam? Then I think to myself, “it can’t be, this a baby expo with big companies there like Gerber foods and Craco and other well known infant product companies”, so I listen a bit more…

My wife was not home at the time so I didn’t want to make decision with out her. So “Samantha” said she would call me tomorrow so I could talk with my wife and her about the trip. So she agrees to call the next day. That night I check both websites that she gave me and would use the code she gave me: RV38038 or something like that. Both websites were not running that night. hymm again…

Then I did a search and found the website that your post was on and then I figured out… a scam just as I thought… Some people on the website even said that they were given the same code to use on the website as I was… She did call the next day and my wife spoke to her… She told my wife the same thing but she didn’t know we read all about them on-line last night and their scam deal.

“Samantha” asked again about the credit card and said “it will only cost me $299.00 U.S dollars per person or $598.00 total….. I said mail me the info and she kept saying I need your credit card info first and my wife said “Thank you” and hung up. As she did i could hear “Samantha” still rambling off info like an auctioneer on the other end still trying to hook us.

I can’t believe that they have tried to get people form all over the world now. Well I just wanted to give you a heads up on their new name and that they are still trying their games and have a new way of obtaining people’s contact info and new ways of surprising people. I have to say the baby expo was a good attempt, they almost sounded real but the true scam artists came out in the end.

I hope this info is helpful to you and saves a few people form getting scammed. BTW why doesn’t someone from one of these companies ever list a name on here and contact info.. To the guy Jerry #642 [see also] why don’t you list your info. You claim to have a good business and good ethics but then you call people who got scammed “freaks of nature”. I would love to see you come to NY and tell me that face to face…

Good luck to everyone !!!
june burden says:

08/12/2006 at 09:41

thanx for your comments but iv paid by debit card unlike credit card they cannot refund.
Jacqui Gibbs says:

13/12/2006 at 12:05

Hi thank you so much for just being here, I found your site back in Sept 06 I had purchased back in March 05 a vacation with Celebration Promotions with the code LW9NT like everyone else couldn’t contact them at all had tried emailing them and got no joy found your site read all about how they conduct their business and thought I would never see the money again. however I have good news to report I contacted The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services who took the details, they wrote to me emailed me, kept in touch, and obviously lodged my complaint with the company and today 12th Dec 06, I got my money back.

Thank you for the site it gave me the information I needed to do this I never thought I would be so successful. If anyone else is in the same position follow the same advice, write, keep everything they sent you, and don’t give up. I won’t ever buy anything like this ever again.

Jacqui Manchester England
Andrew Pigeon says:

13/12/2006 at 17:15

Hello to everone who reads this. I just received a phone call via a computer which offered me a free trip to Florida. The lady gave her name as Marge and she said she worked for Calypsocay resorts. After a quick story on how lucky I was she asked if I had a valid credit card and within minutes she handed me over to another person. I was on the internet and googled al things calypsocay. I came up with this fraud page. In the meantime I recorded the converstation. This is illegal in Florida unless you tell them at the start. I am not in Florida so they can Kiss My &^*. They terminated the discussion at this pointy.
So if you want to know if it is a real offer ask to record it.
D. Scallio says:

14/12/2006 at 00:36

Search Better Business Bureau for information on Timeshare Central Inc. They do not give a positive opinion on this company and advise not to send them any money.
susan mathews says:

21/12/2006 at 16:18

I have had a similar experience as Sheligh with Royalty Holidays.

I got a call in the Netherlands one Sunday in April, 2006. They not only offered a vacation in Florida but a bonus vacation
with some company with a supposed website called holidayfulfillment.com, the website does not exist.

Their customer numbers are bogus. I am taking whatever action I can, through Florida Consumer Services and my credit card company. I will also make it my one goal to expose these crooks.
Don Peterson says:

29/12/2006 at 22:42

I was contacted today! I was curious so I went along with them, but of course I did not give out my credit card number. It was interesting to listen to what they had to say. They made sure I knew what as included, what was not include, and the fact that this was more of a bribe to get me intotrying to buy a time share. What really got me wondering what all the different names of the company I saw in their informtion

Resort Holidays
Best USA Vacations
workiRESORT HOLIDAYS
TROPICANA RESORTS

Just that in itself was enough, but I did explain that I will do my research and get back to them.

- d
jessica says:

31/12/2006 at 01:17

I (living in the Netherlands)was called by a very friendly, enthousiastic sounding man last night. He told me he was from Disney resources and I won a holliday to them and also, very lucky me, to the Bahama’s. He made it all sound very nice. But then, before I should get overexited, he had to ask some questions. Was I married? Yes, well, that was great. Then we came to the question about my creditcard.
My answer that I don’t have a creditcard was (I suppose) not ‘great’ because the man hang up. Great!
Ann Garling says:

09/01/2007 at 04:11

I purchased a holiday from Calypso Cay on 2 January 2007. I bought in haste and then regretted it as I have been sick for a number of years. Although the holiday was to be used within 12 months, with hindsight realised that although I was hoping to work this year, I had too many debts to clear.

Later that evening I contacted Calypso Cay, and was very worried particularly after finding this site. My credit card debts are already very high as I am only on an Australian Disability pension. (I had very much wanted to take my two sons 25 and 24 on holiday as I guess I was competing with their father – my ex – who had won airline tickets to Japan and hence I made an emotional purchase!

After contacting Calypso Cay and speaking with their customer service officer, Carol, I was told that I would receive a void on my credit card. At this stage it was around 1.30am here in Newcastle NSW Australia. As you can imagine I was beside myself because of my level of debt. Carol rang me back within half an hour and was concerned that I was contacted by her company before I went to bed. I was greatly relieved by her call.

I did contact the company again a day or so later because the void had not appeared on my credit card. I didn’t realised that the paper work would take a couple of days to go through or that my credit card company would also take a couple of days to process.

I am writing to let everyone on this site know that I received a full refund when I checked by credit card balance on line today! I am extremely happy and wish to thank Calypso Cay for their honesty! I didn’t realise that they were people being scammed by other companies!
C.S. Rizal says:

15/01/2007 at 06:18

I got cheated on Jan 12, 2007 by “Fantasy Tour and Travel” and the email that came to me was from “customercare@discountmyvacation.com”
I have the same story as every one there. They charged my two visa card each with 598US$. Please be aware with these websites. I am a student of university and the money they drew from my visa account will cost me a lot of trouble and financial problem.
C.S. Rizal says:

16/01/2007 at 17:44
Following my message in Jan. 15, I am going to post little bit progress of what happened after that.

A soft speaking lady contacted me on Monday morning (Jan 15, at 7AM PST) and told me that she is going to send the vacation package and want to confirm my postal address. I told her to cancel my package. She asked me the reason of it. I told honestly her that there are two reasons to cancel:
- No#1. I have been charged in two separate visa cards each with CAD$717.34 for the single package, and I want my money back.
- No#2 My family do not have any US visa. So what would I do going to Disney land without my family members (my wife and three kids).
So, she said that she is going to cancel and I will be able to get money back within 7 to 10 business day.

Next, I contacted the 1-800 number to the customer service, and told him to verify my status. He told me to wait for some time, and said that it has been already canceled, and told that I should wait until my next statement to view these effects revealed in my account.

I contacted my visa card company and they say that I should wait at least for another week. If itâ€™s genuine, there would have never problem with cancellation, changes, payments, refunds. But the question is how genuine these people or web pages are? Thatâ€™s always making us doubt on their promise.

For the time being, I will wait and see. I shall keep on posting here when I receive the fund. Otherwise, I will dispute with my visa card, and they have to refund this money to me back, if it is found that these companies cheat me. I am still hoping that my money will be back to my account. Being a graduate student and a father of three kids, I can no longer afford the extra burden and hope that something will come out. I shall update my message here. Thank you for reading it.
C.S. Rizal says:

18/01/2007 at 02:11

Hi there,
I had promised to update my information. Today, I confirmed that they have reimbursed my money in one of my two visa cards. So my CAD$717.34 has been sent back to my account. But another VISA card is still awaiting dis-approval from them. I am glad that I got my 50% money back today (I mean full refund of one of my visa cards). But it was not that easy. I can not still believe that I got that money back. After confirming with VISA Card Company, I am now 100% sure that itâ€™s true.
In the mean time, I did full attempt to contact, local police, Florida police, and Visa Company. I think it was made possible only because I did not sign any document and cancelled before they sent me the package. I kept on calling them, and also kept on sending emails to them. I suggest you guys to immediately dispute with your credit card, and cancel visa card, and at the same time pursue all the options as outlined above, if you feel that you are cheated or fooled by these highly professional telemarketers. I shall update my information once I learn about my status of CAD717.34 amount in another Visa card.
Christine says:

18/01/2007 at 20:11

Just wanted to add my experience about the Calypso Cay vacation package. My husband and I purchased the package last Nov, 2006, and we paid around $400; I can’t remember the exact amount.

Today, as I was reserving our dates and locations, I discovered a huge omission that the sales rep committed. We were informed during the sales speech that we would be responsible for the port fees for the Bahama 2 night 3 day cruise. I looked online, and according to Bluewater Network, “Cruise Ship Industry Facts,” port fees per passenger are about $5/pp.

Today, I was informed by the sales rep, Carol Adames, that the port fee was $200/pp. $400 for my husband and I to do the cruise. I looked online and found out that on vacationstogo.com, there are 3 night, four day cruises to the Bahamas, going out of the same port, Ft. Lauderdale for $240/pp, which includes port fees. Also, Carol informed us that we would be responsible for transportation from the hotel in Miami to the cruise terminal in Ft. Lauderdale. That’s about another $60-$70.

I guess it’s true, “the devil is in the details.” We’re still doing the Calypso Cay and Daytona package. But, we’ve decided not to do the cruise. The sad thing is that we own 2 timeshares, and we could have paid an exchange of $99 for 7 nights at Calypso. But, considering tome of the reviews I’ve read, maybe less time there would be better.
Riz says:

19/01/2007 at 01:21

Hi All,
I have a very good news after a week-long confusion. I got full refund of my two visa cards each CAD$717.34, which I confirmed today with my visa card companies.
I am relived of all these problems now. My CAD $717.34 with CIBC VISA was cleared yesterday and my CAD $717.34 in RBC Visa was cleared/voided today. I have learnt a big lesson this time. Never give my visa card to unknown person and free-vacation deals or Disney land vacation except genuine organizations. I do not know what helped to get my money so fast and easily. But one this is true that this webpage helped me a lot to share my pain with others and to help file complain. It also helped me to learn that I should not give up until the end.
I wanted people not suffer like me, so I did the following during the week-long period:
1. Passed the story to local news broadcasting (CBC news, Canada)
2. Contacted local police here at Vancouver,
3. Contacted visa companies immediately and cancelled my both Visa cards,
4. Sent complain to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, using their webpage. I tried to do all the avenues because I also wanted to help people know whatâ€™s going on with this FREE? vacation packages.
5. I sent about three emails including a letter using the format given above mentioning that I will file complain if the money is not-reimbursed within 30 days.
6. Kept calling them, and made sure that every thing is in order.
7. While my money has been cleared, just now while I am typing this comment, I got a phone call from my wife that a package has arrived from USA using DHL, by TG Travels.
I am wondering what the package might include? I got worried again. But then, I re-confirmed with my Visa card whether the money has really been reimbursed.
Its terrible experience, but finally, I am OK. I wish that all of you guys to get the money that you deserve for. My chapter has been closed now within a week time. Thanks god. Thanks every one. Thanks this web-page creator. Good bye
Kat says:

20/01/2007 at 01:20

Hi,

Last week I received a phone call telling me I won a free vacation. The polite woman on the phone told me that she needed to confirm my credit card number. In a huge lapse of judgement I gave them my credit card number.

The same day I started to get worried about this “free vacation”. I called to cancel my CiBC Visa card, but it was already too late, they managed to charge my card CDN $717 dollars. Right away I send a letter to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and reported the charge to my bank’s fraud department.

In a panic I called the number that I was given by the woman, 1-407-879-4379. The man on the phone told me that his company, BESTUSAVACATIONS accidentally charged me and that I will receive a full refund in a few days. A few days went by, but I did not receive a refund. I called the same number again, but an automated message informed me that this cellular number has been disconected.

At this point I am extremely confused. The people that called me stated that they were from BESTUSAVACATIONS. When I called BESTUSAVACATIONS they claimed that they do not have my name in their computer at all.

The company that charged my Visa card is listed as Fun Time Getaway InC. BESTUSAVACATIONS said that they are in direct cometition with Fun time Getaway Inc, but the FUN Time Getaway Inc website, http://www.a1travelreservations.com/, links international travellers to BESTUSAVACATIONS. Why would a company refer customers to their ‘direct compeditor’?

I was just wondering if anyone has encountered any one of these companies before, or if they have any advice that would help me figure out how to get my money back and from whom.

Here is some extra info:

Fun Time Getaway Inc:
phone: 604-321-206-3366 and 1-800-475-4366
web: http://www.a1travelreservations.com

BESTUSAVACATIONS:
phone:407-8430336
Web: http://www.bestusavacations.com

Any reply would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you
RIZ says:

21/01/2007 at 00:36

Hi Kat,
You seem to have similar experience as mine. In my case, I told them to cancel the package and they did so. Once they cancelled the package, then only they can reimburse to Visa card. In my case, they canceled it in their computer. When I contacted the next day, I spoke with another guy. I asked him to see my status.

He said that it has been already cancelled. I requested to him saying that I would highly appreciate if my money is reimbursed. He said wait until another statement arrives, but I had no patience to wait so long. I therefore, kept on calling to Visa Company.

Once it is cancelled, it might take 3-5 days to reveal your amount reimbursed in to your Visa card. You have to keep on calling Visa card to make sure whether the money is pending or has been reimbursed. I got a call from CIBC once the money was reimbursed.

If you want to contact, I can also be reached at for personal discussion but you can post your comment or progress in the web-page comment section.
Kat says:

21/01/2007 at 08:02

Hi Riz,

Our experience does sound the same, especially because I am also in Vancouver, and I also got charged on my CIBC Visa. I am glad that you shared your experience on this site, it makes me feel better knowing that someone else went through a very similar experience and was successful in receiving a refund.

Thank you for your advice, knowing that you got a refund because you kept calling them made me realize that I should continue on calling them as well.

I tried calling Fun TIme Getaway Inc, but their phone constantly goes to different answering machines, so I was never able to get through. Nonetheless, I will continue to call them until I reach someone there.

Thanks again,
Kat
RIZ says:

21/01/2007 at 23:33

Hi Kat,
You can write to me at novascotia_m30ATyahooDOTcom, we can speak as we both live
in Vancouver.
RIZ
Riz says:

21/01/2007 at 23:46

Hi Kat, more about my experience, you would see at HOW TO CANCEL SECTION,
which is given in the section 31. You might want to read it.
Regarding these names, they sound different. Did you get any confirmation of email?
You can reach me at novascotia_m30 in the US yahoo. Riz
FFGGFHGHGH says:

28/01/2007 at 09:41

THIS IS A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT. AND REMEMBER YUO CANT SEE ME
Sandra says:

31/01/2007 at 16:33

Hello,

My brother was also scammed into a Royalty Holiday now Holiday Fulfillment package in June 2006. In agreeing to accept further information about the packages before deciding, they charged his credit card instead.

We live in Toronto, Canada. The 1-800 numbers they advertise for Canadian customers are not accessible in the Canadian calling area. We have spoken to the credit card company – VISA – and they refused to reverse the charge because my brother provided
them with the credit card expiration number.

I had to ask a friend who lives in the USA to contact the company for us to get a refund. Instead of a refund, they extended the
deadline for taking the trips. Ironically, we cannot take any of the trips since we cannot get a hold of the company to book one.

Our friend has since attempted to contact the company on numerous occasions – but of course – no answer. If any one has any tips or approaches to pass on to obtain money back or an address I send a letter to etc, it would be greatly appreciated.
shelley ann welsh says:

03/02/2007 at 15:54

I just received a phone call myself from fantasy tours and travel and they were very convincing and I thought WOW i won a holiday for my family and I. When it came to the part about the credit card bit I told them I didn’t have one. So they asked me to borrow from a relative or a friend and I said i was uncomfortable with that. Therefore I said thanks but no thanks. Then the rep came on the phone and lowered the price to half which was originally $689.00 and then lowered it to $349.00.Even better right, wrong, because I told them I still didn’t feel right about using someone else’s credit card so he told me he would leave me on the list. THIS IS THE STATES CALLING PEOPLE IN CANADA. DISGRACEFUL… JUST BE VERY CAREFUL OF THIS CALL.. MY KIDS WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THEY TOLD US that we had WON A TRIP TO DISNEY LAND AND A CRUISE AND A TRIP TO CANCUN,MEXICO all this for $349.00 yeah right!!!! this is one of the websites they gave me to look on http://www.fantasytoursandtravel.com and the other one was the resort they were calling from http://www.calypsocay.com Buyer beware… shelley ann welsh
Rich says:

03/02/2007 at 16:03

Thanks Shelly – a response is here.
riz says:

04/02/2007 at 07:53

Hi, just see, what had happened to “Shelly ann Welsh”. Some one named FFGGFHGHGH has said all about this as a “bullshit” but seems that and as you can understand, that person is seriously in a very terrified mood due to all these kinds of real discussion. The kind of messeage you got from “shelley ann welsh” is a proof, exactly the kind of messegae that I posted earlier. So, its a real scam. I have already formally started working with FODAS and I would not give up this until all these culprits are punished, which I am doing my best. Because I know that AMERICA is a wonderful place, and all these criminal people who are working against the USA interest have to punished according to Florida law.I just can not see the USA suffer from its own pople living and enjoying inside USA. Thanks alot. Hey FFGGFHGHGH, now I can see where you are hiding… Wait, until a law enforcement agency grab you and put you into a hell..RIZ/Vancouver/The Beautiful British Columbia/Canada
Lynden Barry says:

07/02/2007 at 00:37

I am very interested to learn more about Summerbay Vacations. I have just paid for 6/5 nights Orlando, 4/3nights Daytona 3/2 Cruise
Bahamas, on the Imperial Majesty, Car Rental, Travel Insurance,
5/4 night Cancun including all food and drink.
I am due to leave 27th April. I am currently looking into my
international and connecting flights.
What am I to expect from this group?
I dont have trouble getting on to their website. They have listed what I have paid however yesterday I couldnt access the confirmation letter detailing my itinery.
Please advise
Lynden Barry
Australia
riz says:

07/02/2007 at 02:05

On summer Bay Resorts:

I have not stayed, only because I can not get in touch with them to give them the days to book. I won a pop internet promotion $1,000 19 day trip to Orlando,9 days Daytona Beach/ miami, 3 day cruise to the Bahamas, 5 day in Canun mexico, 9 days in a ski resort, sounds great, doesn’t it. WELL IT IS A SCAM.

Source:TripAdvisor
Kat says:

07/02/2007 at 23:12

Hi,

I would like to post an update on my previous message.

Iâ€™m still in disbelief, but I just called my VISA and they said that I have been reimbursed the full $717.26 CND to my card. Finally, after a month of confusion, my credit card company, CIBC, labeled the transaction as fraud and credited it back to my card.

To clear up the confusion in my last post, here is what happened:

As soon as I saw the charges going through on my card (for what was explained over the phone as a free vacation that I had won), I cancelled that card and filed a dispute for the charges. My VISA Company, CIBC, told me that they are not sure what they could do, since I gave them my credit card information, but nonetheless they said that the fraud department will do an investigation.

The next day I filled a complained with the Florida DOACS, I told them all the details that I could, including any phone numbers that I was given during the initial call.

While I was waiting for the DOACS and my visa company to get back to me (which took about 2 weeks), I followed the instructions given on this site in the â€˜How to cancel sectionâ€™. I wrote emails and called Fun Time Getaway Inc and told them that I would like a refund. They said that I should return the package they sent me, I make copies and sent it back registered mail.

Then, I received a phone call from Fun Time Getaway stating that they got my package. Just when I thought that they would actually give me a refund, they notified me that they will keep a $100 USD fee for shipping and handling, and that I would have to sign a waiver promising that I will not file a dispute with my credit card company. Also this waiver stated that if I file charges against them with my credit card company that they would charge me another $175USD!!!!

I wrote them back stating that I have a right to a full refund under section 559.933 of Florida State statutes and that I have already filled a compliant with my company, which I refuse to cancel. Before I sent this letter out to Fun Time Getaway, I found out that my credit card company already reversed the charges. Guess they really had no right to ask me to sign that in the first place.

In my last post, I expressed my confusion as to which company I was even dealing with. Well, thanks to the DOACS, I found out that I was contacted by BLACK DIAMOND MARKETING (1-407-879-4379), who was calling on behalf of FUN TIME GETAWAY INC, who charged me for a vacation with SUN HOLIDAYS. ( Iâ€™m still not sure how BEST USA VACATIONS fits into this, but oh well).

Sorry for this very long post, but I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this site for sharing their stories, which helped me a lot in my situation, and thank you to the creator of this site for the very informative â€˜how to cancel sectionâ€™.

To all of you out there trying to get your money back from these thieves, I suggest calling your credit card company right away and explaining that even though they have your card information, you did not authorize any charges.

Complain to the Florida DOACS, make sure to give them all the details no matter how small. And of course follow the How to Cancel instructions given on this site. Finally, never sign anything they send you, unless you actually ordered a vacation from them.

Thanks,
Good luck to you all.

Kat
daryl martin says:

10/02/2007 at 04:13

i too bought a florida getaway that cost me 499.00 i got a very nice package sent to me telling me about this great trip i purchased, how they would look after us and told us everything was takin care of except the airfare which was o k by me but tried to contact someone to ask some questions well that just did not happen. no one to call and no one called me back, isent emails,fax’s and tried to call the offices in the u.k. plus to florida. well i guess i did get ripped off. pretty sad when you can not trust anyone.

« Previous 1 … 12 13 14