I was called at 3:46 pm (Pacific coast) and listened to an automated recording of a woman saying there was a 30 second survey and I had been specially selected to take it. It asked "How do you think the democrats are doing with the budget crisis?" Then the same about the republicans, and then about the president, each question answered on a scale of 1 to 5.
Then it asked if I wanted to be connected with a cruise coordinator, Yes or No. I was curious about the origins of the survey and whether I would even speak to a person if this was a scam (which I figured it was).
I heard a man's voice pre-recorded saying "please hold until next available agent" and speaking too quickly to get all the words. I was then put on with "Paula", a woman with a loose Texas accent who told me a lot of information and was pretty pleasant as I was asking questions.
I told her I wasn't sure why a cruise line would partner up with a survey thing. She explained pretty much everything that appears on the website about how the cruise line wants to advertise that way, plus when there are last minute cancellations they put a survey person on the ship. I asked when the date of the cancellation was, she said they happen all the time and they would just need 60 days notice in my 18month period of time I can use for the free cruise offer.
Additionally, I told her I was just taking the survey because I care about contributing to the country. She agreed with me and said that's another huge reason why the cruise line is doing this. She told me the port/tax fee from the US government was $59 and the total for me and my 2nd person would be $118.00, which I would have to pay over the phone, and they take all major cards (Visa, Discover, etc.).
I asked if I could call back later and think about it, she said no because it wouldn't be fair to other people. She also said I'd be paying $718.00 for the trip if I missed this offer. I asked what the trip was and she said 2 days and 2 nights, 8 hours doing whatever on the Bahamas' main island. Additionally she said the trip was departing from Palm Beach in Florida. I would have to pay for my flight, but she said the company would use the cooperate discount to get me a cheaper rate... Though I'd be paying for that too.
I said I better not, I don't have the money for it. She was pushy, said "you sound so interested" and "you can save up for it" but when I finally said "thank you, I'll think of your cruise line again if I ever get the money" she finished the phone call with me very shortly.
There were a lot of red flags in here, but for once I wanted to give a "once in a lifetime offer" the benefit of the doubt. Not likely. The pre-recorded voice seemed a lot like "Paula's" with the exception of the accent.
The phone number I received the call from was 206 496 0492.
I wanted to share all these numbers with other concerned people because if they have the same thing happening to them, it was helpful for me to compare "facts."
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