Great Escapes Travel Club - Great Escapes vacations collection agency, statute of limitations, 2002, non-responsive, certified letters, screaming Lakeland Florida

WARNING!!! This company is nothing but a SCAM that will haunt you for YEARS!!!

There are law suits in several states including Washington and Utah.

When I lived in Colorado in 2002, I decided to join Great Escapes Travel Club, after going to a (very aggresive) presentation. I also cancelled my membership in 2002, because I was never able to get the vacation trip I was promised, due to blackout dates, non-availability, loss of affiliates, tales of natural disaster, etc. The salespeople tried to get me to reconsider, "since I never had the chance to enjoy the Great Escapes Experience" but I decided that I was done playing games with these people and cancelled. 

Now it is 2009, and my credit report is listing a collection agency on behalf of Great Escapes. I called said agency, and was screamed at for 25 minutes about "being a deadbeat" and refusing to "meet my financial obligations", without getting a word in edgewise. (I have since found out their ONLY client is Great Escapes.)

I contacted the collection agency with a certified letter including information about the Colorado statue of limitations, and the information that I have been unable to contact Great Escapes. (The phone numbers I have are disconnected or unafilliated businesses and letters are sent back addressee unknown)

I have not lived in Colorado since 2003, and all my mail was forewarded, but I have never received anything from ANYONE about this matter at any time. 

WARNING! This company is nothing but a scam that will haunt you for years!!!

Now my credit is ruined, because not only do I owe the original fee, I also have been charged over $3,000 in interest! And according to them, the only way to take any action is to pay the total amount in full NOW!!! Or, and I quote "the interest will only keep going up, and will never be removed from your credit report".

If you value your good name and good credit rating, stay away from these people. Otherwise, you may have disasterous results, even years down the road.