Ameri-who?
I just got a wonderful telemarketing call …
| Me: | Hello. |
| Me: | Hello?. |
| Me: | Helllllo? |
| Me: | [pauses] |
| Me: | Hello?. |
| Me: | Sorry I’m not receiving any audio from your end, so if you can hear me, hang up, or if you’re an automated dialler I’m just going to keep on so you pay for the call. |
| After just enough time for a generic answer phone message to have completed, a recording began to playback at me: | |
| Recording: | Congratulations! You have just won the jackpot! Hi my name is Michael Smith from the Corporate Reward Centre in Las Vegas. You have just won the jackpot! Please call ring free 0800 091 0084 to claim your prize and matching your claim code: Jackpot. Again that number is ring free 0800 091 0084. Congratulations, and we look forward to speaking to you. |
So, noting that my star sign is Inquisitive (with Curious rising) and knowing that 0800 numbers are freephone; I called them:
| Kitty: | Amerisuites Vacations this is Kitty, how may I help? |
| Me: | Who? |
| Kitty: | Amerisuites Vacations this is Kitty. |
| Me: | Sorry, What Vacations? |
| Kitty: | Amerisuites, like America but without the ca and add Suites. |
| Me: | Oh, OK, I’d like to collect my jackp… |
| Kitty: | *click* *beeeeeeeeep* [Kitty ends the call] |
My telephone number is registered with the Telephone Preference Service a UK body that regulates commercial phone spam, so legally they’re not allowed to call me, but they’re trying to force a loophole where commercial calls are banned but, they theorize, by calling it a competition, they can avoid prosecution.
So, not only has this company cold-called my TPS registered number, but they’ve also hung up on me, that’s just plain rude, I wanted to know who and what they are:
So, I called them, again:
| Carla: | Welcome to Amerivacations this is Carla. |
Carla proceeded to take my first name and asked for the number from which I’d called to check what prize I’d won. I gave her a false number. Surprisingly this had no ill effect because Carla came back and told me that I’d won £1301 towards a holiday in Florida, and that it was part of a prize fund allocated to 100 people and there were only 10 claims left on the fund – [irony alert] what luck!
Being a happy soul about this I mentioned that I’m in the UK, and that Carla didn’t sound local; she told me she was in Orlando Florida, and reiterated that this was a free call for me (just to make me really feel like I was special).
She then went on to explain that to claim my prize I’d need to pay the balance on a holiday in Florida at a Ramada resort near near Disneyworld – the package balance £598 for 16 days holiday for 4 – effectively an 80% discount.
The is is not a competition or a lottery, this company is selling holidays; there is no way to claim a “prize” without actually purchasing something, at which point they’ll discount the value of that prize from the purchase cost.
From the TPS website: “Under Government legislation introduced on 1st May 1999 and replaced on 11th December 2003 by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to make unsolicited direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not want to receive such calls.”
Carla also explained that they are trying to rekindle interest in America as a vacation venue. She also explained that they are able to make these amazing offers because they keep their costs low, which they do in two ways:
- Direct Dialing.
- Word of Mouth.
Well, by direct-dialling me, unlawfully, they’ve certainly got a little word-of-mouth advertising.
The comments below add a lot of detail and you might also be interested in this followup article.
272 Comments
So, did you lodge a complaint about them ?
Go on, you know you want too…
This company have been plaguing me for months. I have called them three times and asked to be taken off their call list, but I am sadly ignored. They still call. I complain to TPS each time (I’m signed up too) but they seem to do absolutely nothing, and I only get a standard letter in response about my complaints. Has anyone reading this been able to get rid of these people?
I have received a message asking me to ring 0800 0914 766 to claim a £1300 shopping prize, and when I ring back to quote the code name “shop”. I actually dialled the number, but when the ring tone sounded like an overseas call I replaced the receiver. Has anyone else received this message? I too, am registered with TPS.
AmericaVacations rang us selling a holiday in Florida.
7 days in Orlando,3 days Daytona Beach,
3 days Fort lordadaile and a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas for £598 for up to 5 people.
I actually booked this with my credit card. They claimed they had sold over 10,000 of these holidays in UK.Seemed a bargain.the speel was simular to “america who” email.Getting people back to America etc… However the pack I recieved by DHL gives no idea to what is actually offered appart from what is listed above.
Interesting to see what happens when I try to take the holiday?
I too received a call saying the same as everyone else’s and like Colin I also agreed the holiday but with quite a bit of reluctance [I just wasn't happy to give my c/c number] I’ve been on the net to try to see if I can find anyone who had actually gone on one of their holidays – any ideas. Anyhow I then took cold feet and contacted my credit card company who advised not to give my c/c details and that there was no way of getting a refund unless I write a letter and send it recorded delivery within 7 days. I think I’ll do that
I’ve been getting quite a few of these calls. Stupidly, I failed to keep a record of them. On the last but one, I called their freephone number, explained about the TPS, and told them not to call me again. I don’t think the person that I spoke to was at all interested in doing anything about it.
I later went onto the TPS web site, and found out about the Information Commissioner. See http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=785 There you can download a PDF official complaints form. This is probably much more effective than complaining to the TPS.
Anyway, today I received another call, so I called back and asked if they knew about the TPS. She gave me their customer services number: 0800 094 4761. I called this number and spoke to someone who admitted that the calls are all made by computer and assured me that she would ask for my name to be removed from their list. I’ve also kept a recording of the call, and made a note of the date and time. The address of AmeriSuites, who are making the calls, is 600 Suite 102, Orlando, Florida, 32839. If they call me again, I’ll fill in the rest of the Information Commissioner’s form and send it off.
A bit more info. This is from the Information Commissioner, in the Electronic Communications Guidance document (http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/cms/DocumentUploads/Electronic Communications Part 1 Version 3.pdf). The regulations in question are the “Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003″.
“How do the Regulations apply to automated calling systems?”
“This is what the law requires:
1. Marketing material cannot be transmitted by such a system without the prior consent of any subscriber. This is where the subscriber has told the caller that he/she consents for the time being to such communications being sent on that line, by or at the instigation of the caller (Regulation 19(1) and (2) refer).
3. All marketing messages sent by this method of communication must include the identity of the caller and an address or freephone number at which the caller can be contacted. (Regulation 24(1)(a) refers)
Also: “The mischief that Regulation 19 seeks to address is where a subscriber receives a marketing call which is a recorded message and where there is no opportunity to speak to a “live” person. In our view, even if an opportunity is provided at some point int he message, e.g. “to speak to a live operator, press 1″, such a call would still be covered by the prior consent rule because not all telephones are “touch tone” phones. Such calls are particularly intrusive and can be unsettling for the recipient. We will therefore be taking a firm line on this point.”
It looks like Amerisuites have broken the law on two counts here. They must have prior consent to make automated calls, and they do not include the identity of their organisation in the message.
I encourage everyone affected by this to submit a complaint to the Information Commissioner.
I have just returned home from work to find out my teenage son, who has special needs, has been conned into giving his card details as well as passport information to this crowd He says the spiel he was given was identical to that described above
I immediately called his card emergency line and cancelled the card
We too subscribe to the TPS – surely out telecomms providers have a responsibility here if there are complaints about a UK 0800 number?
…………and I will be making a complaint to the Information Commissioner
I got a call from ammerivacation on Saturday saying that I had won a cruise to the bahamas, I phoned the number, and got through to america. I was told that I had to pay £698 towards a holiday in florida, and I would recieve a £1399 saving. I asked if I had to pay the money that day, and they told me no. They asked for my credit card details and told me that they were only going to be used as ID on check in to the hotel, stupidly I fell for this. I then got very worried at what I had done and cancelled my visa, but it was too late and they had taken £698 from my visa on the Saturday. I have been on the phone to them, they say that I agreed to this and that they don’t give refunds. I got a phone call today saying that I could have a refund, at the small cancelation fee of £250. I have been on the phone to trading standards, watchdog and my visa company to see what I can do. If anyone else has a runin with this so called company, complain to everyone so they can be stopped.
I have to admit I did give them my details, yet when I spoke to my bank who I receieved the visa card from they said they could do nothing as they had the money authorised.
Can anyone give me any emails or contact details for me to try and re-claim my money, or for the first time in my life have I been conned and do I put being £500 down to experience?
It looks like my only holiday will be sitting on the grass and making out it is Florida.
The money does not go out until the 28th April, but it looks like the Visa company get there part of the profit no matter what I say!
Amerivacation phone number is 0800 091 4761 for customer services, where if you hassle them enough they will give you back the money at the cost of £250. This will save you some money, I am waiting for my visa company to get back to me to see if I should do this, as it could effect my rights. You should phone trading standards about them. There is a consumer direct hotline at 0845 404 0506 where they should be able to give you advice.
Hi everyone!
It looks to me that the REAL question here is whether or not this company should have the right to call people at their homes despite the fact they’ve clearly stated that they don’t want the calls.
I actually bought the trip as well, after seeing it on the web and calling them up. It was the same package: 7 days in Orlando,3 days Daytona Beach, 3 days Fort lordadaile and a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas for 798 euros for 4 people. The only thing we have to pay is the trip from and to the US + the rental car between the resorts + government harbor fee for the cruise ship.
I mean, it SEEMS to be a good deal. The thing is that you hear all this stuff about it being a hoax BUT HAS ANY OF YOU ACTUALLY TRIED TO TAKE THE TRIP AS OF YET AFTER GETTING THE PACKAGE?
It COULD be real, couldn’t it? I was in contact with their customer service in Florida and the woman I spoke to said they have 7 offices in the US and was actually quite insulted when I said I heard it being a hoax.
I mean, is THIS BLOG SITE actually real or is IT a hoax??? U tell me…
Let’s get some things stated clearly so Henrik can look forward to his holiday. It’s likely that Amerivacations holidays are real and highly enjoyable; nobody that’s commented so far (until Henrik’s post) has suggested that anything to do with Amerivacations is a hoax.
Henrik suggests that it is the “right to call” that is the main issue, and hits the nail on the head. But it’s not the only nail.
Here’s what we have estblished so far:
Well I just want to know whether this company amerivacation is real or not.
I received a message when I was on the internet, saying that I had won a free vacation package.
So I called the given number, gave them my name and visa number and they said that they will send me a brochure package and a fill out form, so I can fill it out and send it back.
I need an advice from you people.
Tell me what I should do.
I come from a small and very poor country. We have barelly money to survive, and when they gave us the hope we went up for it.
I would be most grateful if you can help me.
My e-mail is *.
Please write as soon as possible.
Thanks in advanced.
* removed – if anyone wants it, request it here.
Oh dear.
Magdalena has indicated that although she has “barely enough money to survive”, she agreed to part with hundreds of £$€’s in order to collect her holiday.
This is why Amerivacations sales tactics are so bad.
I am still assuming Amerivacations are a legitimate holiday sales company so since Magdalena parted with her cash she shall get a holiday, and it may in fact be totally fantastic; but, before Madge received that phonecall I’m guessing she hadn’t even dreamed of spening her money. Madge? Had you? Do you have the money?
If you can afford a holiday, you don’t need a phoney competition win that only serves to restrict what you could do with your cash.
If you cannot afford afford a holiday, don’t part with your cash.
My mom was also tricked out of £600. Two months ago she called me to say we were going on holiday in america, 7 days in orlando, 3 days in daytona beach (sounds familiar), 3 days in fort lauderdale and 3 days on a cruise to Bahamas, all for £600 for 4 people.
The paperwork arrived days later and upon reading the small print I realised that we had to pay for air fare. I called Amerisuite and was told their rep should have explained that to my mom and we couldn’t get our money back as the 7 days cancellation period had passed. A s my mom had already paid the money we decided to take the holiday and send Amerisuites the required reservation dates. To our surprise we received a call from them saying in order for them to book our reservation on the cruise ship we had to pay them (Amerisuite) £150 each for port taxes!!!! Now could someone please tell me where’s the holiday that we’ve won?
I decided to check out the port taxes and called the cruise operator (Imperial Majesty) and was told the port tax cost $110 each which is about £60 but yet still Amerisuite wants to charge us £150 each.
I’ve now decided to call Channel 5 as the prize was advertised on their channel, and watchdog.
Well I just received one of those calls and forced them to go thru the entire process (just to piss them off) then finally told them thanks but no thanks!!!
After doing a little search I have their website at 3 different web addresses:
All 3 identical except the web addresses. While having a closer inspection of their site I tried clicking on the FAQ button which took me absolutely nowhere of importance! The most interesting thing on their site was under the ‘AGENT OPPORTUNITIES’ button top right of page! Looks like they are trying to recruit anybody with a pc with broadband in any country. But if you really want a FREE trip to Florida then maaybe we should all take them up on their offer: You must be able to attend a two week training class in Florida and the Bahamas at our expense. What a hoot just get off the plane and disappear to any place you like if they are silly enough to fly anyone over to Florida at their expense!!!
I have copied and pasted the complete section below or go to any of the above sites and have a read yourself:
I don’t realy have the money-but I’m willing to get a loan from somebody,or from my cousin that lives in Germany.
But I just wanted to know whether that company is just another evil scheme.
You see-I’ve never been out from the country,so like most people I want to travel the world.
I don’t want to be fooled-I’m too young for that.
Well thank you Rich.
If you get any information about that company, please be kind enough to notify me.
Thank you again.
Two things:
Something I notice from the whois information about each of those domains… they’re all anonymised though domainsbyproxy.com. Why on earth would a legitimate, accountable, honest and upstanding company want to anonymise their domains? If anyone can answer that categorically RSVP.
Magdalena, based on the input of Keisha it sonds like you may be in for an expensive trip. If there is still time you can probably cancel by using a next day courier in order to deliver a letter of cancellation by the end of the 7 day period. Good luck.
I too have been scammed by this company in the last 24 hours. I have reported them to the Police and obtained a crime reference number for my credit card company. I have been charged a cancellation fee of 498. It is a disgusting rip off and I will not being leaving here. I have also contacted Watchdog and will be letting the Citizens advice and trading standards know. I am determined to get my money back even if I have to write the president himself. They can not be allowed to get away with it.
I too had problems with amerivacations but Iwas so lucky that the autoritytime from my cc was past, so that the transaction was blocked. I ave been surching on the internet for the possibility to do something about it and i found the DOACS ( Florida Department of Agricultere &Consumer Services ) I contacted them about this company and the told me that the couldnt find a company
registered by that name . the told me that i could make complain against this firm by filling in a form that you can find on the internet URL: http://www.800helpfla.com and send it online to the
department .
It helpt by me because the have contacted me by phone and told that the wanted to refund the money. Maybe this can be a clou for anyone hows cot to deal with this company and i wish you
all good luck. you never wil know if you dont try it
My daughter received a message while out saying she had won a free cruise etc.. The person who answered with “claims” dept then hung up .She tried later to claim”free” trip.I telephoned the same number and spoke to a very nice man who gave his name as Barry Jackson adding he was no relation to Michael Jackson I asked him all about the prize and all seemed well till he asked for the expiry date on my or my daughters credit card.At this point I smelled a rat but politely said nobody in their right mind would give out information to a stranger over the telephone free holiday or not. I remember hearing these words on Watchdog “if it seems too good to be true usually it IS too good to be true! I also asked him to send a letter to my daughter outlining the exact holiday and any costs and she would be happy to consider the proposed “free holiday” My daughter is in England and I live in Scotland We are both on the TPS not that it seems to make any difference as the call came from the States. Barry Jackson also said he would be happy to pass me on to either Visa or Mastercard to confirm it was legitimate I said I wouldn`t believe them either even if they were offering a free place in Heaven. Do you think perhaps I was a little too harsh??? I only wish some of the ones who gave out their credit card details would have done the same.
I’ve been scammed too. What is the address that you need to send the cancellation letter to? I’m within the 7 days.
Hi – just to add to all of this, I received the very same ‘recorded’ congratulations message last night. I rang them back today, and spoke to ‘Vincent’. I am also registered with the TPS (plus mail and email), and I queried this with them. The response this time was different – I have been ‘told’ that this is actually a Visa card promotion, and that 100 prizes have been given out ranging from £100 to £1301 off this ‘vacation package’ of 7days in Orlando, 3days in Fort Lauderdale, 3 nights in Daytona Beach – plus as a bonus 3days Grand Bahamas cruise. Also that I will receive 2 day passes to any Walt Disney resort, plus $500 discount card, and that I will have NO port taxes to pay, but I will be responsible for travel within the country, but not getting to America in the first instance. Also advised that I need to give my card details to secure this vacation today, and that the actual value of this 16day vacation for 4 (or 5 if the 5th person is under 12) is £1999, and I (plus 9 other lucky people) have won the top award of £1301 meaning that I need to pay £698 but that no funds will be due today. I will be sent the details within 7-10 days, and once received I need to sign the receipt to authorise them to debit my funds, and that whilst I’m there I will need to be present at a VIP breakfast or lunch presentation (not hard sell) of their other vacation locations’ Well this all sounds jolly nice and kind of the Visa people don’t you think??! Bearing in mind I have been told that no funds will be debited, until I have sent my receipt back – I’ll be interested to check my bank balance on Monday! Will keep you all posted.
I was on the Internet and was downloading some things when a window poped up which said congratulations and to call a number. So I did. To Amerivacation. They told me that I had won a trip to orlando florida and a cruise to Bahamas. This sounds really great because I live in Sweden and I only have to pay them 798 euro. I checked out their homepage, it seems ok but Can somebody with similar experiences tell me what to do? I gave my adress and my card number to them but I have not yet received the package with brouchures. I thought this was going to be the trip of my life but have I been fooled?
MY MUM GOT A CALL FROM THIS COMPANY SATURDAY 7TH MAY – MY SISTER STUPIDLY CALLED BACK ON SUNDAY AND PAID NEARLY £700 ON HER CREDIT CARD FOR MY MUM AND THREE SISTERS TO GO ON THE “HOLIDAY” TO FLORIDA. I CALLED THE COMPANY TODAY AND GAVE A FALSE NAME – ANGLEA SIMMONS TOLD THE GUY MARCUS MY MUM BOOKED WITH HIM YESTERDAY – SAID MY MUM WAS PATRICIA SIMMONS – HE SAID HE REMEMBERED HER – LIE – HE TOLD ME HE WAS AFFILIATED WITH ABTA – GAVE ME NUMBER ST35765 – CHECKED ABTA WEBSITE NUMBER DOESN’T EXIST!! I PRETENDED TO BE INTERESTED SO I COULD GET AS MUCH INFORMATIONS AS POSSIBLE. TOLD MY SISTER THEY WERE PART OF HYATT GROUP – I CALLED THE HYATT REGENCY IN ORLANDO FLORIDA AFTER MUCH EFFORTTRYING TO FIND THE NUMBER – SPOKE TO THE MANAGER OF THE HOTEL WHO SAID THIS IS A SCAM! BEFORE GIVING ANY MONEY TO THE COMPANY YOU SHOULD TRY FINDING THE NUMBER FOR THE AMERISUITE VACATION CLUB IN ORLANDO – REAL HOTEL AND ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THIS. I AM A TRAVEL CONSULTANT FOR THOMSON HOLIDAYS – LET ME TELL YOU ALL THAT FLORIDA TOURISM IS BOOMING – I KNOW! FOR A HALF DECENT HOLIDAY IN FLORIDA FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR FOR 14 DAYS IT CAN COST ALMOST £4,500. THE OLD SAYING – IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS!!!
Our son was playing on the computer Runescape. Suddenly he asked mummy to come and have a look for the screen: “Congratulations! You are the 1.000 000 visitor of this page. You have won Caribbean Cruise vacation for three nights and two days. Please call immediatelly 001 321 282 2911.”
The time was running out all the time and I took the call to that number. There was a very kind person called Carla. I asked her about the matter. That was true, we had won the vacation. I was told also that we would take a reservation for a hotel suite for 80 % discount for a week. It was the only cost we had to pay, the Caribbean Cruise is free. I was not able to decide the matter at the phone so quickly and I was asked to visit their website http://www.amerivacation.com to confirm the reservation.
I have visited Florida many times and I have spent long times in that lovely country. I have travelled in many other coutries in the world but never got this kind of possibility to get the vacation. Do someone know the company or this Carla E.? Are these stories above asking the same matter as I do? Please answer me if you know something about the matter! I appreciate of your help. I did not confirm anything or did not let Carla know my credit card information or passport details. I am looking forward to get your information.
I received one of these scam phone calls this afternoon. It sounded so good. I first asked where they got my telephone number from, no answer, I said “nobody phones you with a free holiday”. I was told the same as all the above and would have to pay £698 tax. I think I asked too many questions and they never asked me for my credit card details. I then tried ringing the number she gave me 0800 091 4761 but could not get anybody. When I did get the operator – who sounded rather strange, (I suppose a robot computer !) she said she would put me through to customer services but the line went dead. I have tried looking on their website which I think is a poor site which does not give me any ambition to go for one of their holidays – even if it is free or £698. Just remember, no one is going to give you anything FREE these days. If they phone again, yes I will let them go on and on and let them pay for the call, that’s if I have the time.
I too was scammed last night. 698.00 taken out of my VISA. They told me I had a 30-day cooling off period. I wanted to go to Floriday, with my family, so I foolishly fell for it. Before giving them details, I scanned their web-site to check it was valid. All seemed okay, but didn’t realise the port taxes, and air-fares etc. I would like to know whether this holiday is genuine or not, and worth going on, or simply a complete scam? I got an ABTA reference but not sure how to check it all out. Who should I write to, to cancel this in the allowed period.
I got home on Sunday evening to have one of these messages on my answer phone. So i rang it. WOW, that sounds good, i thought after an American woman went through the speech. But hang on now she wants my credit card number already to confirm i’ve won the price.. Yeah right. Give me your web site address and i’ll look and call back i said. After clicking on FAQ and it not taking me anywhere my suspected something wasn’t right again. Also what exactly did i get for my money?
I phoned back, after all it is a free phone number, and then i made her go through the whole lot again, which she didn’t like. But no mention of flights? Are they included? “No they aren’t mam” she reluctantly replied. So, i thought why didn’t she say this last time before trying to get my C Card details? Can i have this all in writing, exactly what i get for my money? Not until the balance is paid. Suprise, Suprise. So i just said i’d call back again after talking to my husband. That’s when i found this site.
I’m so glad i’ve read all your comments and i too am a member of TPS. I just hope that people do get these holidays and would definately be interested in knowing how one went, if anyone wants to EMail me. But i just hope everyone hears about them before it’s too late.
I just got a call too from them
I thought it was legit at first because i thought someone in my family applied me to the competition as a suprise. I told them my name, phone number and address so now im worried as hell… When they said i had to give my credit or debit card details i decided it was too suspicious and told them i dont have one and that my switch card is invalid and out of date. They then hung up on me….
Its obviously a bunch of scammers and im glad i didnt give any card details. But im worried because i gave them my name address and phone number
I dont know what to do next.
I too had contact with these people who also promised me the florida holiday and bahamas cruise for 4 people, but the gentleman I spoke to got quite irate with me when I refused to give out my credit card details. He gave me an ABTA number which did not exist, and as they are an american company they couldn’t possibly have an ABTA number. He said visa or mastercard had put my name forward for this competition but when I contacted them both, neither had heard of this. I phoned back the customer services number I was given only to recieve a mouthful of abuse when I queried the legitimacy of this offer, and was told I was a cry baby who should go away and grow up! I feel it’s about time this was stopped, and although I am glad that I never gave my details, other people have been caught out in this way. Surely BT have a responsibility to do something about this!!!
I had the same call tonight, however it was an auto dialler that said I had ‘won’ and should press 9 to accept.
I spoke to them for about 30 mins and was passed to the ‘legal verification department’ to record my call. I waited till they were recording the call to say I felt it was a hoax. I was passed back to the competition Director Mr Anthony Charles on 0800 0914761 ext 225 who reassured me. I went through the same process to again be passed to another ‘director’ called Michael on 0800 0910084 (the same number at the top of this group) I challenged him that he was Michael Smith (as above) and then started to read the transcript above, he was taken aback then laughed it off saying that that was a different Michael who worked in the cruise department. He would not give me his surname. I repeated my claim that it was a hoax, he said he was sorry I felt this way and hung up.
I don’t know what this proves but I was sceptical enough to keep them talking while find this website, something doesn’t stack up in my mind…
Good luck to anyone else who decides to go for it, but it isn’t for me…
3 Hours passed since my last post. The competition director Mr Anthony Charles rang me at about 21:30 to check my address for delivery as they ‘had an error in it’ I reiterated the fact that I was not interpreted and did not want to buy anything from them. He pushed the VERY hard sell again as before but firmer. I took a deep breath and explained I wasn’t interested and did not want to buy anything from them. I had to talk over him and was intent on not letting him get a word in edgeways. I finished with stating I felt it was a ‘scam’ and did not want to waste anymore time on them, he hung up…
Hopefully this is the end of it. This return call was a surprise and worries me about the techniques they use to finalise sales.
I am more bothered by the fact that on both calls they stated that I had been selected by VISA. Tomorrow I will be contacting VISA in the UK to alert them to this rather scary statement especially as VISA are running the winwithvisa campaign at the moment and I am worried now that someone could be ‘sucked’ into this by accident…
Am i in trouble now?
Is there anything they can do with my name address and phone number? I called the operator who put me in touch with the phone protection people who told me to register with a few things that stop advertisers and callers like this.
But im worried that they already know my name and number and where i live, that they might charge something to my name and i will end up with a bill for something that isnt mine…
Can anyone suggest something i can do? I can deal with future calls, I will be telling everyone to get lost from now on…. But im worried about what has already happened. I will be calling more people tomorrow to make some complaints but i fear its too late and i might end up in debt because of this.
I had the same message left on my answerphone last night from Amerivacations. I thought I’d phone since I’d got 10 minutes to spare. They were incredibly friendly, persuasive and seemed genuine – so I didn’t trust them for a minute! I told them I thought the deal was bullshit. At this point the advisor chuckled and said ‘Goodbye’.
Following on from last nights calls I have this morning spoken to ABTA and then Global (similar to ABTA) neither of these companies have a record of Amerivacations and can confirm that the ABTA number they gave me as reassurance is not a valid number. I was given ABTA ST35765.
I emailed ABTA yesterday and they mailed me back today and said they know nothing about Amerivacations and they have no info on them and they arent under ABTA’s jurisdiction. So Amerivacations lied to me basically. ABTA suggested i contact trading standards and/or citizens advice bureau.
I will do this but im unhappy because i have alot of problems in my life at the moment and this was the last thing i needed to have to deal with.
Im still worried too that they have my name address and phone number. I just hope that doesnt come back to bite me somehow.
I just came home and found an answer message on my phone. It said I had won a free cruise, so I called the given number: 0800 0914766 and began listening to a real live American that was telling me what I had won – a promotional package covering the bahamas, daytona beach, ft lauderdale, and orlando. He said his name was JOHN GRAY and worked for VIP HOLIDAYS AT DISNEY WORLD. I was quite impressed, he really made it sound like a lovely holiday and I couldn’t believe it was for free.
After his pleasantries he then told me he wanted to pass me onto a credit card company who would then take £695. When I found I was reaching for credit card I knew this was all very wrong, I was asked for my expiry date – I told him that. Then I was asked for my visa card number, and so naturally I became defensive.
After a verbal battle I discovered that the flights were not included, but they would only cost £170 return (yeh, I really believed that one!!!). I started wondering what else was missing, he directed me to the website http://www.amerivacations.com because he thought that would help settle my mind. I looked and asked more questions, like “Who are AmeriVactions – i’ve never heard of them!!!”. He told me that they were a billion dollar company selling 10,000 packages each day. He liked the english, and was very friendly.
I told him that I wasn’t going to pay any money to anyone if I had never heard of them before. He backed himself up and made me think he was a genuine guy just trying to give me a good deal, after all when he said “i’m not going to sit here and lie to you” how could I don’t him?
I knew it sounded too good to be true, even when I got the answer phone voice message I knew it sounded like a scam. But I was curious, and dialled the freephone number. I have foolishly given my name, telephone number, address and expiry date of my visa card – but not the cards number itself – horray for me!!!!.
Eventually I told him “My gut feeling is that this is all wrong, I’m not going to pay you, I’m not going with you”.
So, all I can expect is a bill for the free phone call and an enternity of phone calls followed by junk mail. Wow, I think I got of lite!
Michael.
I gave him my name address and phone number too but didnt give any card details. I spoke to BT and theres some numbers you can register with to avoid calls like that but it seems these people bypass it because its not marketing but disguised as a competition.
Basta£$s
I’ll keep in touch if i get any more calls like this. I just hope i dont find any bills arriving at my door that someone has ordered something from a catalogue and used my name and address for the bill to be sent to.
If anyone else calls me like this im going to be extremely rude. I wish i didnt give my name and address and phone number but i wont be making the same mistake again.
Good luck to anyone else involved with these scammers. I hope they all end up in prison.
Further to my previous posting I have spoken to my credit card company who are now looking into it for me. I have not received any kind of refund from the Company despite them promising me some money back. If everyone informs their credit card companies of this `scam ‘ and asks them to look into it we may all have a better chance of getting this stopped and our money back. This is not just dispute with a supplier but it is a fraudulent transaction. I too was informed that they were from Mastercard and have TPS on my phone. I will let you know what happens. Good Luck!
I got scammed too. Same thing that this message popped out o the pc screen and i got curious and call the nos. nefore the seconds end…
I gave my credit cards and some details wishing to get the discounts anf all. After hanging up the phone i thought that this might be a scam… I blocked my card and ask the bank what should i do. they said i couldnt do anything.
these people still keep on calling me after the a week asking for confirmation. i even sent them an email prior to this in regards to their genuity and didnt get a reply in return. so i got worried.
the bank in dubai said that if in 15 days amerisuites didnt claim their money in their bank… it will automatically be returned to my credit card. after aweek they called me again persistently asking me to verify my package confirmation and it will be recorded. i was thinking that maybe this is their proof in their bank that i gave them authority to access any amount from my card. i didnt entertain their call that day…so it’s vague if i confirm it or not. i got my money as promised by the bank in 15 days. dont know if it’s the same in the uk and anywhere that people get scammed like me.
by the way i also receive the package thru dhl and couldnt see any proof that this is real… hope all the complainants will have the same luck like mine…
We also got a call tonight 14th May saying that we’d won this free holiday.I was curious as we’re going to Vegas next week so I assumed that maybe we’d been picked out of a hat and actually won something.I called them back from my mobile and then got through to a polite American called Charles.I made him call me back which he did and even though I was doubtful he made it all sound very nice and real.I kept asking whether or not it was a scam he replied that it wasn’t and all I needed to pay was £698 on my credit card tonight.As I couldn’t afford this right now I declined but he didn’t give up and put me through to a collegue who also was polite and sounded genuine.I asked them to send me the details of the package through the post but they wouldn’t without my card details.When I refused they hung up.I feel stupid and like others I am worried of what might happen.PLEASE DON’T BE FOOLED BY THESE A**HOLES.
I can’t believe that my wife has just given over her credit card details to these jokers. Not to pay for a holiday but for ‘verification’. When I advised her that this stinks she contacted VISA and was told that £611 had been extracted from her account. This was within about five minutes of speaking to them(ameri-whatever) .
Whether or not there is ultimately any product at the end of it , people that use these strategies don’t deserve our buisness.
Interestingly we too are listed with the TPS , strange that !!!
I’ll get back with an update. Thanks for running this blog, nice one.
I came home tonight to find my wife on the telephone to this company. They had called our Ex-Directory number to say she had won a holiday to Florida. She was asked to press ’9′ on the telephone to be put through to someone. After a short time they asked for her Credit Card details, after which my wife hung the telephone up. I spoke to BT who said that we may be charged as she pressed ’9′ on our telephone, even though they called us!!!
Has anyone experienced being charged after pressing ’9′ ??
My visa company has managed to get me a full refund, thry thought the company was very suspisus. Since then I have had an email off them saying that they could extend the time in which I can take the holiday, so I dont know if they know I have the money back. I have also had another two phone calls off them saying I have won a holiday.
When my husband was on the phone to their customer services he got put on hold and got a cross line with someone who had been on the holiday, and had booked car hire with them, but their car was not there. They were not entitled to a refund for this, but they did get the accomodation and the cruise that was promised.
If anyone books this and then changes their mind, inform their visa company, as it worked for me.
My mother in law was conned as well by this company. She received a call and was conned into giving her visa bank card (not a credit card) details under the premise that VISA just needed to confirm her ID. She was on the phone being convinced for half an hour. Sure enough approx £750 left her account very quickly without being told and without her permission. She only found out when she checked her e-mail the next day and found a confirmation e-mail advising of the debit.
I called the company, who apparently had a ‘recording’ of the conversation but unsurprisingly were unwilling to play it to me. They advised they had a 30 day refund policy, but the lady who dealt with this was out of the office. Apparently her documents were being sent priority by DHL, and in there was a cancellation form she needed to courier back. No surprise this has not arrived yet over a week later.
We got my mother in law to cancel the card so they could take nothing else. She was tempted by the ‘prize’ as she wanted to surprise us next year with a holiday. She really can’t afford to lose this money – who could!
Does anyone know the best way to get the money back? As this is a bank card, the bank have said they can’t do anything yet, and her insurance does not cover her as she gave out the ‘phished’ account info. I think the bank card has a VISA logo so am unsure if they can do anything as this is obviously not just a bad trader but a case of fraud.
Anyone know what else we can do to get some money back, as my mother in law now is not up to arguments with this company.
I don’t know how these people sleep at night, I really don’t
I figured it was a con when I checked my answerphone and had a message from a lady with an American accent saying that I had won a cruise and that all I had to do was dial (free) 0800 091 4766 and quote “Cruise”. I called a few days later and an American guy answered, when I quoted “Cruise” he hung up. I am also registered with TPS
An update from my last (16/05/05).
We eventually got a call from ameri- thing. It seems they were quite happy to cancel(what we hadn’t really wanted), however my wife was charged £90 for the privilage, we reckon that if thats the end of it we’ve had a lucky escape ,we’ll see.
Incidently, the ‘hook’ they used was that they had a massive drop in tourism since 9/11!!!!!!!!, if thats not the lowest trick I don’t know what is!
I’m hoping that that might spur the U.S. authorities in to doing something about this when I complain.
Keep up the good work.
I have also been the victim of this scam. I got a pop-up on the Internet and believed that I was about to make the trip of a lifetime. Later on I suspected that I might have been the victim of a scam.So I called visa to cancel the trip and they told me that i could not cancel the bill unless I could prove something. We should organize ourselves and take action. I am even a Belgian!!!