Steer clear of ‘dream vacation’ scams

Vacation scams are the beasts that just won’t leave our dooryard. Each year, COMBAT receives dozens of inquiries asking whether offers are legitimate. Luckily, we are able to warn many people away from these slippery promotions before they lose cash.

Unfortunately, people still fall for these bogus deals. One such unhappy consumer is Virginia Carver of Westbrook, who contacted us when she unwittingly became a vacation scam victim.

Carver had responded to a mailed offer from “Wonder Tours America” in Nevada claiming she had won a free vacation for two in Las Vegas. The letter instructed her to call WTA’s toll-free number for confirmation.

Carver made the call, and a very convincing representative told her that not only had she won a vacation for two, but certificates for restaurants, amusements, car rentals and many other add-ons that would complete her “dream vacation.”

The representative said that to secure her winnings, Virginia had to pay the company $179.95 by credit card to cover processing costs and because hotels and auto rentals agencies require a card number. She was told that if she was not totally satisfied, she could send all the material back within seven days to receive a complete refund.

Excited and hopeful, Virginia broke Rule No. 1: She gave out her credit card number to a stranger. But when the materials arrived, Carver wasn’t happy at all. The “free” vacation required her to pay round-trip airfare for two and the “dream vacation” consisted of two nights and three days in Las Vegas and a stack of coupons. Virginia decided to cancel the arrangement.

She immediately returned the materials (wisely by registered, return receipt mail) requesting the promised refund. When the refund did not arrive after a month had passed, she called the company and asked to speak with the representative who had approached her. The new person said the other representative no longer worked there and had made promises outside company policy. The $179.95 was not refundable, they said.

Carver contacted COMBAT and one of our volunteer mediation specialists contacted the company describing the circumstances and stating our belief that if their employee gave misinformation, the company should accept responsibility for the assurances of the former employee. Further, we requested a full refund of $179.95 be restored to Carver’s credit card within 14 days and that we be notified. To encourage a positive reply, we told the company that if we did not hear from them, we would have no choice but to contact the Nevada attorney general, postal inspector in charge, and the Federal Trade Commission for backup.

Ten days later, Virginia called to say her card had been credited for $179.95.

Carver was 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 offe. 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, contact COMBAT.

And if you have good problem-solving skills, try your luck at being a volunteer consumer advocate. Call 947-3331 (mailbox 3). We conduct monthly volunteer training and an experienced “buddy” will be assigned to help you learn the ropes.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.