Description

I got a "Personal and Confidential" notice also marked "IMPORTANT - DO NOT IGNORE - ACTION REQUIRED". It was addressed to me via a name that is wrong - a typo on records almost 20 years old lets me know that the mailing is not from anyone I have a current relationship with. There is an "855" number, but no other means of contact - not even a website even though the note is "signed" by Susan Bradford of "Online Vacations of America." My claim number is KNH 1101.... if you get a notice I expect your claim number will be that too. I'm invited to attend the Travel Expo 2018 sponsored by Online Vacations of America. "In exchange for your attendance you will receive (2) round trip airline tickets. These vouchers are valid for travel anywhere within the continental United States departing from most major international airports. In addition you will receive (2) nights at one of over 1000 Marriott's, Hilton's, Hyatt's. (Option to extend) The retail value is up to $1180." My wife and I already went to one of these about 8 months ago (she has a different address than I do). We spent 3 hours listening to professional con artists spin their webs with a crowd of 4 couples. All three of the other couples had already been scammed on time-share deals.... and these folks were totally taking their side in commiserating with them. It looked like 2 of those couples were going to spend about $4000 before they left; they made it clear that if you didn't write your check that night - for $4000 - $8000 - you would lose your opportunity to do this. A lot of "too good to be true" was going on. My wife and I left without signing anything, but excited to get our free travel vouchers. We were (grumpily) given some kind of certificate upon leaving. It wasn't a travel voucher. It was a coupon we had to send in with $40 to get a travel voucher..... I researched online if anyone else had done this, and I found a few folks who had sent in their $40 and not gotten anything back. This has all the hallmarks of the same outfit with a different name. Beware.