It was 12.30am on the 26th of July and the phone was ringing.
The voice that greeted me was cheerful, excited.'Cassey' identified me - I had been researching US holidays on the internet, and had put my details down to recieve pamphlets in the mail, and probably put my name down for a competition or two... She excited told me that I had won a trip for 4 to Orlando, then to Daytona then on a cruise, which we would be subject to port fees and taxes. Then a trip to Vegas but for only 2 but if we did go they would give us Universal Studios tickets or car rental... I couldnt believe it! - Believe it she said, come and see Walt Disney World - have you ever travelled before? Get away from that cold winter, we always have nice weather! She was so friendly and personable. I kept saying that it was all a bit much since I was still asleep, that it was in the middle of the night - it was the only time they could call due to the time difference. She was going to pass me on to another member of the team to answer any questions I had - the phone went dead, so I hung up and went to bed!
If only I stayed there!
Lionel called me back within 3mins. He sounded friendly. He sounded like he knew what he was taking about. This is where he told me that it was more like winning 80% of a trip - I just had to pay for the port fees and taxes for 4 people - to make sure that he was in fact taking to the right person, he needed my credit card details - I heard warning bells! I told him that I didnt know about that - it was late, this had all been a bit confusing - I had won a trip, now I have to pay for it - he said that the card has a security code on the back, which stops them processing it without my authorisation. Made sense to me, I have been asked for that before. He also said that the tickets would be delivered by certified mail and that no money would be taken out until I signed for those tickets. He did tell that it would come to $998US, at which I said I coudnt afford it. So he fixed it so I could do half now and the rest in instalments. He asked me if I had any questions - I asked about the flights over. He told me that we would have to pay for them ourselves, but said to call him, he gave me his personal line, and he could get them for 80% off as well, just let him know when I know he dates. He said that it was all possible because of timesharing - he mentioned The Hilton.
I was then passed onto the third person that sounded hard, straight to the point, not friendly, no small talk - just verified my address, credit card details - I was being recorded and had to say yes and no - but half the things he was saying wasnt the same as what Lionel had said...
... Then it was over. I was left standing in the kitchen holding the phone, and my sleepy brain wondered what had just happened.
Next day I cancelled my credit card but $499US that is $581.64AUS had already come out.
The package arrived but not by certified post. The envelope had a new address stuck over an old one - suspicious, I looked up that company on the internet - All Seasons Travel And Resorts (ASTAR) and I found myself here sounding just like everyone else!
Not all companies need the security code on the back of the credit card.
I feel rolled... I feel conned...
But most of all I feel STUPID - I know better than that!
... And it wouldnt have happened in the light of day!
Aj
McCrae
Australia
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