I made an online reservations through www.lasvegashotelreservations.net for a holiday weekend. Their website provided me with a confirmation number and a confirmation page and indicated that an email would be also sent to me confirming the transaction.
The transaction went through a "secure" website called www.webtransact.com. The confirming email never came so I emailed them at [email protected] requesting confirmation. Still none came. I attempted to call their phone number which was 800-600-6333. That number was disconnected. No address was listed on their website and I became more and more concerned.
I then called the hotel where the reservation was made. I was informed that not only was my name not in their reservations but due to the holiday weekend the hotel had already informed brokers not to sell any more hotel rooms several weeks or more prior to this. About a week later, I called to confirm again that there was no reservation under my name as I know some hotel discount services provide names 3 days prior to your actual arrival.
I emailed the company again, this time also through www.webtransact.com. I informed them of what had happened and instructed them to cancel the charge to my credit card or to credit the charge back to me. I indicated that if they didn't do this I would immediately dispute the charge.
They never responded to several emails requesting this and also informing them that they could also provide me confirmation from the hotel directly that there was a mistake and I did have a reservation. Still no reponse. Several of my emails were actually returned back by my email provider as "undeliverable." It was like the company named in the website no longer existed, other than to charge my credit card.
Through the "secure" webtransact.com website I discovered the same 800 number listed as for www.lasvegashotelreservations.net.in addition there was a (925) 473-2230. I attempted to call that number but it is always busy despite numerous attempts at different times of the day.
Today after looking up the (925) number in a reverse listing directory, I discovered an address listed for them in Pittsburg, California. I then searched the Better Business Bureau for a report on them and finally found it at:
http://www.goldengatebbb.org/commonreport.html? Compid=15019&code=
This was when I discovered that they do business not under the name Las Vegas Hotel Reservations, but under CheapestDeals.com and Hotel Quest. They have had numerous complaints against them and the BBB believes that they operate out of Texas despite listing numerous addresses in Northern California.
My transaction with them online ended with the page with the confirmation number and indicated that the credit card charge would be from "Cheapest Deals." I do recall searching the Better Business Bureau for Cheapest Deals and not finding anything because the actual name is CheapestDeals.com.
Also the credit card charge says it is for "travel services from Pune, Ind" which confirm the Better Business Bureau's report that they are most likely doing business out of the country. However if they have an address in Northern California it would seem likely that someone is actually picking up their mail at the various addresses or drop off points. Their cheapestdeals.com website even invites applicants for employment in their India or northern California locations.
I have reported them to the authorities indicated in this very helpful government website, How to Report Cyber Crime. Http://www.cybercrime. Gov/reporting.htm
However, I wanted to post this here to alert other consumers about this. I had attempted to seek information on them at the Better Business Bureau and found nothing because at the time, I did not have their correct business name.
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