On 7/18, I received a phone call from the number of 727-683-1117 while at work with an offer that was too good to be true. It caught my attention when they told me that I would receive $400 in travel vouchers for enrolling into their "VIP" card services program and that I would save 50% on all of my travel purchases (including International travels). Busy at work I told them to call back after 5PM MST.
Promptly after 6PM MST my cell phone rang and it was a gentleman going by the name of "JOHNNY LEGETTE". Same offer as explained earlier in the day by a female representative only 2 more BONUSES were to be included.
1) An all inclusive 7 day 6 night stay at a 5 star resort in Orlando, FL
2) A free 21 day trial calling card would also be included.
"Johnny" cont'd to explain that there was a free 14 day trial period to use the "VIP" card and then I could cancel but that any trips scheduled within that 14 day trial period would be honored. After the 14 days, to keep the card T.A. D will charge a one-time charge of $40, and then the cost was apprx. $10/month to continue. When questioned as to how they received my number, "Johnny" stated that I had qualified for this special offer by a transaction through one of their many affiliates and that this could have been completed through an on-line check payment or purchase. He continued to ask me if I lived at my current address (which he had the correct mailing address) and stated that in order for the yellow packet to be mailed in 5-10 business days, that he just needed to verify that my account that I made the purchase through was still active. He asked if the routing number on my check was the same as he read. Strangely enough, it matched. He then asked me to read my account number so that they could get a "green light" if it matched.
With much speculation on this attempt to my personal information, & also to get more information for this report, I started asking questions. He cont'd to give me his employee ID #8053 and set up a temporary password so that I could get into my account once the "yellow packet" was sent. I played along and set up the temporary account. He then stated that he worked with Travel Agents Direct and that 1000's of clients were very satisfied with this offer of the "VIP" card. After setting up this account, I proceeded to provide "Johnny" with a fake account number. After 20 seconds he replied that my account had been confirmed with a "green light". He then coached me that he would need a recorded statement verifying all of my information and offer of their limited time offer. I proceeded to answer the questions during this "recorded statement". I was provided with a (800) 853-9982 customer service phone number.
I have called the number and only get a message with a series of options that includes to be taken off of their contact list.
As a result of this scare from TRAVEL AGENTS DIRECT. I immediately went to my bank the next morning to close/re-open with a different account number. It turns out that my banker stated that it is very easy to obtain rounting numbers as they slightly vary state-by-state.
Bottom line look out for this scam.
His name "Johnny Legette" (which he made sure to spell out and pronounce with a accent) was what tipped this scam off... Johnny Legit... I think that this company is not so legit. He was very friendly and had quick answers to all of my questions. Unfortunately I did not ask for a website address, but I am certain that it would have been a dead-end. BEWARE!!!
People should NEVER give out what should be secure information over the phone. A legitimate bank is NOT going to give your banking information to anybody, and if there is a problem with your account, they will notify you by U.S. Mail and require you to come into one of their branches to resolve the issue. A legitimate company is NOT allowed to sell your information to anybody without your expressed permission.
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