Unsuspecting travelers become easy victims of vacation trip scams

A Portland consumer contacted COMBAT’s Maine Center for the Public Interest after she discovered she was the victim of a vacation scam. She asked not to have her name published because she felt “silly,” so we’ll just refer to her as “Ms. V.”

Some time ago, Ms. V received a postcard from a Florida marketing outfit saying she had won a “free” vacation in Florida for two and telling her to call for confirmation. Excited at the prospect of a free vacation, she called the business that same morning.

The Portland consumer told us that the well trained company representative sounded as excited as she did. The representative told Ms. V that not only had she won a vacation for two, but also certificates for restaurants, amusements, car rentals and many other things that would enhance her “free” vacation.

The representative went on to say that to secure her “winnings” Ms. V had to send the company $149.95 “to insure that the documents, vacation plans, and other perks would be sent out.” She assured Ms. V that if she was not completely satisfied, she could send all the material back within seven days and receive a complete refund.

Our hopeful traveler dutifully mailed a check for $149.95 and a few days later, the packet of material arrived. But the contents shattered Ms. V’s dream of a “free” Florida vacation for two. The “free” vacation required that she pay round-trip air fare for two and the entire “vacation” consisted of two nights and three days in central Florida. Ms. V discussed the offer with her husband and they decided to cancel the arrangement.

As instructed, Ms. V returned the material by mail the next day, requesting the promised refund. When the refund did not arrive after a month had passed, she called the telephone number on the postcard. When she asked for the representative she had spoken to earlier, Ms. V was told that the person no longer worked there and had made promises outside company policy. The $149.95 was not refundable, they said.

A COMBAT volunteer information-mediation specialist immediately wrote a letter to the company on behalf of Ms. V explaining the circumstances, that we felt their employee gave misinformation, and that the company should accept responsibility for the statements, actions, or mistakes of its employees.

COMBAT requested that a full refund of $149.95 be sent to Ms. V within 14 days and that we be notified. To encourage a speedy and positive reply, we told the company that if we did not hear from them, we would have no choice but to contact the Florida Attorney General, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge, and the Federal Trade Commission requesting that they intercede.

Seven days later Ms. V called COMBAT to say she had received a check for $149.95 from the company. “No letter of explanation came with the check,” said Ms. V, “but I know I would never have received the refund had it not been for COMBAT’s help. Thank you very much.”

Our pleasure, Ms. V. But don’t feel “silly” because you are by no means alone. COMBAT has handled hundreds of similar cases including one from a Bangor businessman who almost lost $800 on a “free” vacation offer. And yes, we got his money back too.

Now that we are entering the spring-summer vacation season, Ms. V’s problem should be a good lesson for all. Just remember, there is no free lunch. Do business with a local travel agency and just ignore “too good to be true” offers by mail, phone or the Internet. If you receive such an offer, notify COMBAT.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.