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

I’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 ‘How to cancel section’. 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. ( I’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 ‘how to cancel section’.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 it’s genuine, there would have never problem with cancellation, changes, payments, refunds. But the question is how genuine these people or web pages are? That’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.

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!