United Travel Network did not fullfill promise of 2 free airline tickets Northbrook, Illinois

Fist off Chad Edward's is my real name and the caller ID say's C. Edwards. According to this gentlman that is probably not my real name. Secondly, The man clearly stated that he does enter contest's from time to time but never ever filled out something for our giveaway in which I was more than happy to look it up for him and also provide the date, time, and his email address and his exact physical address, as that is all of the info we had. I never asked him for any personal info. Just made it clear that you have to be between the ages of 25 - 70 to participate.

I would also like to add that we never say or claim this to be a sweepstakes, it is ivitation to view an introduction to our Co. And in exchange for you're time you will recieve one of the gift's we are giving away at the time. And you do not have to buy or sign up for anything to recieve you're gift / prize.

This man was also stating that since I was very busy the day we spoke in which I made that clear to him, that it was some sort of sales trick / ploy. And when he was not interested in coming, I abruptly hung up on him. He failed to mention that I said no problem I understand and have a great day. So I guess his feeling's were hurt as I did not want to sit on the phone with him and try to con him in to doing something he had no interest in doing.

I received a voicemail at home yesterday, 4-28-08 by a "third-party verifier" notifying us of being a potential "sweepstakes winner" upon verification. Were told to call "Chad Edwards" and gave us a "direct to his desk" phone number of 773-293-6982 to call.

I suspected it was a scam, but called anyway in the remote possibility this was a valid win from a major nationally recognized sponsor (like Kraft, Nike, etc), since I do periodically enter contests.

I reached "Chad" (I'm sure that's not his real name) on 4-29-08 just after lunchtime. Here is a bullet-point summary of our conversation:

- I was "Guaranteed" to have won one of these 4 prizes:
1. Lincoln Navigator worth $45,000
2. $2500 Cash
3. All inclusive vacation - Mexico/Carribbean
4. 32" Flat Screen TV
- Had my email address and home address and said I entered 1-14-08.
- "This was a Final drawing - you ARE a winner"
- Just needed to verify that I was between 35-70 and "gainfully employed".
- Asked him if this had anything to do with sitting through a presentation for Condos or Time Share and he said "No!!!!". I asked him if it involved a presentation of any kind and he said "Yes, a 60-90 minute presentation and it was clearly stated on the entry form" (Yeah right! - the one I never filled out???)
- "What kind of presentation is it?", I asked. Answer: "Travel Network" Grand Opening in Northbrook. Claimed he had sent me an email about this but said "it's OK if I didn't receive it." I asked if he could send something in writing to me right now but "No! This is a "Grand Opening and is only going on tonight & tomorrow". This is a big red flag folks when they won't give anything in writing!!!
-Stated that he's not here to sell me anything ...Doesn't matter to him if I'm not interested, he's got a million other things he could be doing (than calling me)". Another classic sales ploy.
-As soon as I said I'd pass - he abruptly disconnected.

Based on a past experience of actually sitting through a presentation almost exactly like the one victim Maria describes in her post, I know they keep these things legal (barely), by offering the travel prize in the form of a voucher with ridiculous terms. No one ever gets the vehicle, the cash or the TV (or any other prize of significant value).

With all the lies they tell in the initial phone call, I'm sure there's plenty of illegal fraudulent statements being made - but you'd be hard-pressed to prove it and who's going to bother to even try and prosecute? I think raising public awareness is the best defense and reporting these incidents places like here when possible.

I've read up on safety against scammers and these are my best personal tips on NOT getting scammed:

1. If it's a phone call telling you you're a "winner" don't waste your time listening to any verbal explanations. Ask for something in writing. If you really won, they'll already have your address or email - don't give out any personal info, ever! If they won't give anything in writing or give you some song and dance of why they can't -HANG UP.
2. If "winning" involves sitting through a presentation of ANY KIND- forget it!! Ask this question early on to save your time.
3. REAL prizes never require deposits or payments to get them.
4. Usually when you DO win something big - you'll get something CERTIFIED in the mail or by courier. Anything with bulk postage or "first class" regular postage is usually a scam. Also, if they mention the word "incentive" and have marraige, employment or income requirements - it's a scam!
5. If it sounds too good to be true - it usually is!!!
6. If there's a time pressure of some sort "Only today...", it's a scam.

From someone who's tired of being solicited with these "offers" and seeing others conned out of hard-earned money by them.