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 [email protected].

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.