Early yesterday evening I received a phone call from Calyspo Cay Resorts claiming that I was the Grand Prize Winner of an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas and Orlando. I was told my Credit Card company had forward my details as a valued customer to be a part of the prize pool. The caller spent about 15 minutes highlighting to inclusions of my trip, when asked what the catch was I was told they would tell me later.
Later they told me that in keeping with Florida laws I would have to give them some money for the trip, $598 for 2 for about a 2 week vacation. That I could take the trip at any time in the next 24 months and the prize was fully transferrable and extandable.
When I mentioned that as a secondary on the credit card I could not put that kind of money on it, I was told that I could get my money back at any time within 30 days of purchase no questions asked, should I or my parents (the cardholders) decide that package was not for us.
I was still skeptical, I was given the private line and extension of the Promotions Director, with the guarantee that I could call at any time if I had any problems.
I was put through to the Legal Department where I was "recorded" verifying the terms, I was asked not to ask any questions during this process. I was told that an invoice for the cost was being forwarded to my email account "as we spoke". The terms were for the holiday, 30 days return money, that a customer care line was available and that I agreed to $598 being charged. Iwas not informed that this was 598 USD, equating to $798 AUD.
When I got off the phone I went to my email account and found no invoice, I found the website to be lacking any real information. At this point I tried to call the numbers I had been given (which were supposed to be available between 4pm-12pm EST) and found both of them disconnected.
I cancelled my credit card at the bank straight away, but the payment has already gone through. The bank has said that in spite of my authorisation fraud has been committed, however in order to investigate they need contact details. That is real contact details. The police are investigating aswell, but are not sure of my chances of recovering the funds.
The bank has given me the Merchant ID of the company, my credit card is a visa card. I am hoping that I might be able to glean some more information from that. Any more tips?
Jennifer
Darlington, Alabama
Australia
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