I want to let other travelers know that all "vacation offers" are not a scam but this one definitely is. I got a phone call that one of my friends signed up to take pictures and I too could take advantage of the great offer. I declined the photo studio time, then I was offered a vacation stay instead.
The offer was if I could supply five family and friends for them to call with the same offer, and $15, I would receive a discounted vacation packet by mail. The vacation would include 3 days 2 nights in a long list of vacation destinations in Florida. I took the bait and gave the 5 names and my address. In the next few days I received a letter reminding me that my vacation packet would arrive by mail, all I needed to do was return this confirmation and $15.
In the past I have gone on timeshare viewing vacations in the past, actually I used one for my honeymoon. We really enjoyed the trip and now that we were more settled would love to go on another trip, maybe we could afford the timeshare.
I called the phone# included in the letter, asking "what's the catch?". I was told that there would be a timeshare viewing opportunity but it would not be required, and the $15 was for processing my vacation packet, and the only other $ required would be $50 at the time of booking my trip. I figured that $65 for 3 days on the beach sounded like a pretty good deal, especially based on past experiences. So I mailed in my confirmation and $15. Only to receive by mail a flyer, requesting me to fill it out including my name address, annual income, and what major credit cards I have. And in a small 2x2 inch box to the side of all this personal information....Please select 3 destination choices. And the fine print above my signature states,
I understand that this is subject to availability, limited to nonpeak travel season, and I agree not to try to travel or arrive until I have received written confirmation.
Fortunately I'm no fool and I still have the flyer, and I'm only out of $15.
