wafflesatnoon.com » Scams & Deception » Scam Alert: Junk Faxes Offering Cheap Vacations
Scam Alert: Junk Faxes Offering Cheap Vacations
Have you received a fax that promises you an inexpensive cruise offered to “all employees” which will save you $3000 per couple? The fax is a scam, as is the company who sent it.
Let’s take a look at the text in the fax itself (see bottom for a scan of the actual fax):
Memo
To: All Employees
From: H.R. Dept
Re: Airline Land Package
For a limited time only we are offering to all employees’ access to our company vacation, packages at the wholesale rate (you save $3000 per couple).
Please review the vacation details
Cancun, Cabo, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Vallarta or Mayan Riviera
- Duration: 6 days & 5 nights w/all meals included for only $175pp
- Dates: You choose your dates. Packages are open dated and valid for 1 full YEAR
Included in package:
Five Star Resort Guaranteed
1 Year To Use
- Corporate Meal Plan – All meals and drinks, Including 5 Star Dinning and Premium Alcohol
- Children stay and eat for free
- Unlimited activities Like Snorkeling, Kayaking, Wind Surfing all non-motorized water sports
Free bonus 4 days 3 nights Orlando or Las Vegas
First 100 callers receive up to 60% of Airfaire.
Booking and Reservations at (877) 634-9804
Reservation Code UNITED747
For fax number removal, please call 1-888-393-1379
It should be noted that the person who gave this fax to me is retired, so there would be no “H.R. Dept” contacting her. It should also be noted that there is a United Airlines logo at the top of the fax, which is undoubtedly not the sender of this fax.
This type of scam has been going for years, and there are several variants. They always start by dangling a tantalizing cheap vacation in front of you. Then they’ll either take your money and run, or start tossing in unexpected fees after you’ve taken the bait. If you call them, you’ll be connected with a low-end salesman who will record the conversation and insist that there are no refunds. If you happen to agree to their terms, they can fight any attempted charge-backs with a recording of said agreement. I have spoken with people first-hand who have lost hundreds of dollars to this place as part of this scam. In their case, they were given a calendar of dates – all of which were unavailable. The only way they could get their cruise was to upgrade for a substantial amount. This was after they handed over payment to the scammers. I’ve run across several people who have fallen for this scam – and none of them ended up going on a vacation, while all of them lost money.
The scammers change their website and phone numbers often, so it’s possible if you’re reading this you may have a variant of what is reported here. Rest assured that if it’s at all similar, then it is most likely the same scammers looking to rip you off.
Also be aware that you will be responsible for airfare, despite their claim that the “first 100 callers” will receive “up to” 60% off.
Their website is corporatetravelnet.com and their main phone number listed there is 877-634-9812, along with the 877-634-9804 number listed on the fax. They also list an email contact at customersupport@corporatetravelnet.com.
If you receive a junk fax from this or any other company, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission here.
Please leave us a comment if you’ve received a similar fax, or if you’ve recently dealt with companies such as this.
Below is a scan of the actual fax, received on July 10, 2012.
For more information, visit junkfax.org.
Filed under: Scams & Deception
I received the exact same fax on July 11th.. thanks for the heads up. Greatly appreciated!
Excellent explanation of this scam. I actually have a folder of all the faxes I have received from this company since 2010. I have forwarded the all to friends at the the FTC. In 2010, I contacted the General Counsels office of United who requested a copy of the fax for logo infringement issues.
on one fax I have the logos of Delta/Continental and US Airways. One fax has the logo of “Employee Travel Program”. The very first one I received was labeled “Memorandum”. All the faxes say the same thing.
The are just like the Nigerian scam letters and emails people get… they are mass sent and if they can get a few “hits” in that they get your money….then they look at it as a success.
We as humans look at these great “deals” as a way to ease the pain of our economy and have a nice vacation away to forget for awhile. While in fact.. they inflect more stress and financial hardships.
Your best defense is to know a scam when you see (or hear)one One good web site for information is http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ncic/ under Scams & Safety. Arm yourselves with the knowledge of these scams.
Best Wishes!
Tom
Retired
Assistant Inspector General for Criminal Investigations
Thank you for your excellent addition to this article, and for your insight. The link you provided is quite useful. Best of luck to you!
Thank you so very much.. if I can be of any help please let me know
An online search came up with the following:
Corporate Travel Network
318 Anderson Blvd.
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 208-0900
It looks like Corporate Travel Network is a dba of Techpro Inc., the president of which is Barry Bourdage. This info is from the Illinois Secretary of State. http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/index.jsp
I have received the same fax 7/20/12 and when I called, they said they were sold out, but to hold on…suddenly he found that there is only one left and I had to act right away. When I said i had to think about it, the gentleman hung up on me….
Scam.
We recently called and purchased one of these packages. Of course we are calling to try to schedule and they are unavailable. We have spoken to one person in the booking and reservations department who told us we were trying to book our trip in peak times and the cost would be several hundred dollars per person more. We have been scammed. Can anyone help with trying to recoup any of our money.
Thanks.
hello Todd, did you ever get your money back? I recently purchase and mysteriously all the emails transactions i have with them have be wiped out of my email account? I’m starting to think this was a scam!
I own corporate travel network, you have my company confused with a scam company.
Please do your research correctly before you make fraudulent claims.
Please correct your post, and replace with acctureate information.
Barry Bourdage
When this article was written, the phone number, fax, and website were all linked to the same company that sent the fax. If you have additional information on your company that doesn’t link you to the faxes, we will post that information.
I was scammed by this company how do I get my money back!? Someone please help!
I just purchased this 6 days 5 nights to cabo- all inclusive! I tried getting my money back but they declined nd my credit card wont help any further… Wat can i do? Pls help! I tried calling company back and i was cursed at and hung up on several times!
Try contacting your bank and disputing the charge.