I was phoned today by a Ryan Crowell, employee number 0460 calling from great travel destinations in florida. He filled me with glorious tales of holiday heaven for less than half the retail price. Cruises in the bahamas and free entry to universal studios etc.
After 10 minutes of listening to this he came to the crunch that he would require credit card details to take a down payment on the holiday, the balance to be paid just before taking the holiday. This was to be within 18 months.
When I asked how much the down payment was he immediately went back into how wonderful the holiday was and how I would always regret passing it up then quickly asked what the expiration date on the card was. To this I replied that I was not about to give details to a complete stranger on the phone that I had no means of positively identifying. I asked if he had a website I could view. I was told to wait and was put on hold.
After a few seconds a supervisor came on the phone and immediately apologized that ryan had been a new rep and that he would now help me. He asked what it was I didn't understand. I repeated my previous statement and he replied by stating that they were an affiliate company of a colchester based company. The name escapes me but I got the address and phone number. They are as follows
72 East Hill,
Colchester,
CO1 2QW
tel: 01206 796935
I have not yet called the number but intend to and will update with the result.
He asked me to call this on my mobile while we were on the phone to verify. So in brief, phone a stranger to verify a stranger. No way of verifying the address at that notice.
I said that this was not enough proof for my credit card details so they began stressing that I had purchase protection and that they had a merchants account so they had to be trustworthy. I repeated, "Do you have a website?" he eventually admitted he had not. Then began talking of recording a verification of my card and again repeated his request for the expiration date.
I asked how much they required from me today and they asked for 540 uk sterling. I said I didn't have it and they started trying to blind me with twaddle again. They talked about percentages and such, that they couldn't take more money than was in the account and not to worry about going overdrawn etc and then to be perfectly honest I got bored of playing with them and hung up.
Out of curiosity I searched google and found this site with several examples of this 'scam' and I now know what my fate would have been had I been off guard and in the money. I felt that this was important to share so that other UK people may become aware of this companys new name. Seems to be ramada and a couple others all the same. Might be the same people but I dunno. I'd say there was eveidence to suggest it.
I must admit i'd like to know how they got my name address and phone number!
Chris
Burnley
United Kingdom
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