KOMO TV (the Seattle ABC affiliate) did a story on July 6 about a company scamming people over the phone.
The wild thing is that today I've gotten a call at work from this company twice. The phone number on caller-id showed as 727-683-1119 (a Florida area code). The tricky thing is that they start out by saying they've got some free rewards. Then they asked me to confirm my home address, and they correctly tell me my home address. But then they ask me to tell them what my bank name is and ask for my checking account number.
Fortunately something felt wrong so I never gave them that information. When I asked why the person calling me why they needed it, they basically said that in order to get my "free rewards", they needed that info.
Based on the KOMO story and also a thread on Scam.com (found via Google), it looks like if you give them your banking information, they send you coupons, but directly charge your checking account for these "free" coupons. Unlike a credit card charge, because they do it directly to your checking account, it can be a lot harder to get your money back.
So be careful. If anybody ever asks you to "confirm" any account numbers, the caller should be able read them to you and you say "yes" or "no". If they insist, ask them to give you the the first 4 or 5 digits, and you will finish for them. Even then, be wary — if they really are from your bank (or wherever), they shouldn't need this kind of information from you. If they claim that it's important, hang up and then call your bank (or whatever) directly — if it is legitimate, you will be able to resolve things by calling your bank.
The "I'll call you back" method is sure-fire.
HERE
If you want to see the track record on these guys by the Better Business Bureau just click on the link below.
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/commonreport.html?bid=90018053
They have 38 complaints this year alone. Suntasia started this company in February replacing the old name "Agents Travel Direct". If you check the BBB record on the Agents name you'll see they had a very bad track record. The reason they change the name every year or so is to keep ahead of the game. People will start complaining too much, thus the company has to shut down the old corporate name. Make no mistake about it though Suntasia Marketing IS totally responsible for promoting these shamless products.
BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!
SUNTASIA MARKETING/DISTINCT ADVANTAGE EXPOSED AGAIN BY LOCAL MEDIA, KETV NewsWatch 7 I-TEAM!
Yes that
When I told you someone would get ticked off enough to do something about this company I wasn't kidding. Kalvin B sued Suntasia Marketing in small claims court in Arizona for calling his phone number and violating the DNC rule. The result was that he won a few hundred dollars but that's not here or there. The fact is that these crooks went too far and thus have to pay. He tells you how to do it in his NEW website called, "Suntasia Sucks". lol Pretty accurate if I say so myself. Plenty of good information in there to view and worth taking a look at.
Here is the link to the new site.
http://suntasiasucks.icarusindie.com/
There is a forum in there if you want to post your horrible experiences with this company. "Suntasia Sucks" also offers ALL the important information you need to know about this company and what you need to do if you feel you're being harrassed. It is very well done. The site will also serve as a tool for posting information on other fraudulent companies as well. You did a GREAT job putting it together Kalvin B and I appreciate ALL of your efforts in doing so.
Florida Telco Credit Union has posted the following consumer alert on their website:
"It seems that every day someone thinks of a new way to steal your identity, or your money. The Credit Union works diligently to protect you by training our employees to recognize possible scams, and by keeping you, our member, informed with ways to avoid them.
Below are scams we are currently aware of, please read them carefully. If you believe you have been a victim, please contact our fraud department at 904.723.6300".
Updated 8/8/06
Telephone Scam
Target Company: Financial Institutions including Florida Telco
"If you receive a call from a marketing company called "Suntasia" who is involved with Travel Agents Direct, please be careful. They may offer you a free vacation. The person calling will tell you they know your account number with Florida Telco CU (or other financial institution). However, the number they quote is a routing number, not the actual account number. That's where the scam belongs — they ask you to complete the rest of the account number for verification. Once you provide the last digits they then have your actual account number. If you have given your account number to a telemarketer who has called you, please contact a Member Service Representative immediately".
Here is the link to their website:
http://www.floridatelco.org/186.html
I think the above statement says it all.
just to let you all know…suntasia is actually not that bad of a company. we make it really fucking simple for people to call and cancel the program and we state it about 3 times on a recorded line that you yourself can listen to…if you're that stupid to give out an account number and then not listen to the fine print then thats youre own fault. To clearly make a point though, check out the BBB and type in mcdonalds…you'll see thousands of complaints and most of which haven't even been taken care of…the complaints with travel agents direct have all been dealt with which proves that if it was really some asshole company trying to rip you off then they wouldnt care about problems in the past.
Well, well, well. Another Suntasia employee comes out of the woodwork and "tries" to defend their questionable company. They stick their neck out with the usual employee defense. "It's your fault for giving up the account" or "it's your fault for not paying attention" or even the famous scripted defense of "it's your fault, you really should have listened before you gave out your account numbers". It's always the customers fault isn't it Sally? Typical scam artists rebuttal.
Sally you're the fourth employee to use this useless defense and like all the others before you, end up looking like a dumbass b/c the only defense you have left is to attack the customers intelligence. Shame on you! So I am going to state the facts very clearly so that you understand how much trouble you're in. I'll try and be gentle ok? lol
I am an ex employee and know very well how the place operates on the inside. Your company has easily under estimated the complaints of the consumers you rip off everyday by blaming everything on them.
It's funny how you fail to mention how time after time the agent tells the customer that the reason they need their information is b/c it's on file and the customer has to verify it or b/c they made a purchase at some store they need the account to be stated over the phone. You also fail to let the customer know that Suntasia doesn't really know when the so called "free" trial period starts or ends b/c they never know exactly when the travel package will arrive at the customers home. Oh and yes people have been charged before getting the package and even before the trial period ends. Some have either recieved the package late or never got it at all. This is why the Florida Attorney General is currently investigating Suntasia AGAIN for illegal debiting of accounts as well as unfair and deceptive practices.
Hey Sally it's the BBB that has been sending out alerts on your shameful company. Not only that but there have been five, count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 bank alerts in the last 3 months alone. I would expect Mcdonalds to have many complaints b/c there are thousands of franchises around the country. There's only ONE Suntasia though, so your comparison falls flat. When resolving the complaints, not ALL of them are. Distinct Advantage for example has 179 complaints in 36 months but only 163 were closed in the last year. Travel Agents Go Direct has 70 complaints in the last 36 months ALONE. Even if I were to agree that your company resolved all of them, you still have numerous complaints over a short period of time. Why on earth would I want to do business with a company who's BBB record is a complete and total failure?
Another fact is that if the customer wants a refund they are given the run around by your employees offering free gas vouchers in place of the refund. If that doesn't work you tell them they have to write a letter to get their money back and that a $29 processing fee will apply. Suntasia only does this when pushed by the BBB if the customer complains or when they threaten them with legal action.
It's typical of Suntasia blaming the customer for not listening or the U.S. Postal Service for not delivering the package on time. What you don't say is that before that recording starts the agent has already made erroneous statements over the phone. The customer is misled to say ok on the recording. This is why you train your agents to talk fast.
The customer should be worried b/c these are deceptive sales tactics. It is why Suntasia is being investigated for the second time in 6 years for this illegal practice. I know for a fact Suntasia's lawyers are working overtime to make sure they don't repeat the embarrassment of the past. Did you see the first report back in 2000 when they got caught Sally? Oh you didn't read it? Let me help you, click below.
http://myfloridalegal.com (Type in the letters "FTN" in the search box)
You also fail to acknowledge the fact that you've been exposed by three different television stations across the country, numerous bank and bbb alerts specifically naming Suntasia as well as documented cases of deception. Face the facts kid, your company's business practices is questionable at best. Sorry to hear you're still in denial.
Hey Sally! I just want to make sure you understand how much Suntasia is on the radar. Here is the fifth bank alert in the last three months on your company. Take a look it's not very flattering. The following is from the GESA Credit Union website sending out the warning and basically calling Suntasia's "Distinct Advantage" a scam.
GESA Credit Union Alert.
Hang Up if "Distinct Advantage" Calls!
September 28, 2006
Recently, some members have received calls from a company that calls itself "Distinct Advantage Rewards." They say they are authorized to give Gesa members a $100 gas voucher and a $400 travel voucher, all they need is your Gesa account number and other private information.
THIS IS A SCAM. They are not acting for Gesa and they are not giving away anything. They are scam artists trying to get your financial information for fraudulent purposes.
HANG UP on them, and report the call to the Consumer Protection Division of the State of Washington at 800-551-4636.
If you have given out private information about your account to anyone in this or a similar scenario, please call the Share Drafts Department immediately for information on how to protect your account. Monday-Friday, call 509-946-1611 or toll-free at 888-946-4372. If you need immediate attention on a Saturday, you may call the Kennewick Branch at 509-783-2117.
End of Alert.
Click below to see it for yourself. I know this must be a shock for you.
http://www.gesa.com/master.html?http://www.gesa.com/fraud.html
Seems to me Sally that you have no leg to stand on when defending your stupid company. Are you still denying the facts about Suntasia? Why don't you just admit it's a scam and nothing else.
Suntasia and its so called affiliates are a load of crap. Why give them your account number? If you have done so, then screw them over by openning a new account, in addtion to that, try giving them false information instead. Suntasia piece of crap. Hope they crumble down and never get back up. Oh yeah, if one of those agents ever calls back, lie or swear at them.
Another news story on Suntasia has been done. Courtesy of KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Consumer Alert: Discount Membership Clubs
(KDKA) McKEESPORT Just one telephone call can lead to missing money in your bank account.
A McKeesport woman says she was promised big rewards if she joined a discount membership club but she ended up paying for nothing.
KDKA Consumer Editor Yvonne Zanos reports these membership clubs were big problems a couple of years ago.
Shopping clubs, travel clubs and home repair clubs all promised discounts if you pay to join.
Many didn
This morning, I was at Sheetz to get something to eat… hungry and exhausted, i waited in line for food.
Then came a phone call… #(727)683-1107… a very friendly woman's voice telling me about the reward (same story as everyone else: travel voucher). i asked them why (you can tell i wasn't thinking right… "why?" what kind of question is that? lol…). anyway, she said it was because i had an account with them. now, during our conversation all i heard was "travel voucher" and "florida". VERY APPEALING WORDS!!! for a while, i've been planning a trip to florida to see a friend, and this offer was perfect for it! previously, i created an account in the disney vacation website, and i thought that that was the account this lady was refering to.
anyhow, it was very fishy that they claimed to have my account number, and not know what the name of my bank… but i was so out of it, and didn't think right… well then, daydreaming about the trip to florida, i gave her the account number (very naive, i know… lesson learned though)… she had it tape recorded, i guess to manipulate what i had said, if any just-in-case's happens. before our supposed-deal was done, she tried to sell a free long distance anywhere from coast to coast… that kinda woke me up, and i told her i didn't want it, she said it was "absolutely fine", continued on "sealing our supposed-deal", and ended the call…
an hour later, a call from #(727)683-1118… i missed the call, so i called them back, asked for their company's name, "googled" it, and found this website… i found that Suntasia is affiliated with so many scams, so i changed my bank account…
i'm still dreaming about that florida trip though… too good to be true! Lesson to learn:life is not all about eating, drinking, and being merry! Life includes hardships and trials. Fancy things are deceiving and meaningless. Therefore, we should all be mindful of our every action, separating reality from dream, so that we don't get scammed!
Good for you JMA! Most people when they end up giving their account information don't think twice that they are being taken. Your situation is not uncommon b/c most of the agents at Suntasia who call unsuspecting people like yourself are fooled by their slimy pitch. This is why they are currently being investigated by the Florida Attorney Generals office for deceptive practices and illegal debiting of checking acounts. Suntasia has even hired a separate outside law firm to handle the mess b/c Donald Booth their head counsel there is over his head. That in itself is saying something. Also agents at Suntasia like it when they call you early in the morning b/c they know most people are not fully alert when talking on the phone. Anyway, I am glad you came to your senses and changed your account number. One less victim on the books.
I was recently called by Travel Agents Go Direct as well. I told them my bank, but refused to give them my bank account number or confirm my routing number. Is there any way they can still take my money?
No Guy, not at all b/c you did not give out your account number or authorize them to take out anything. So you're safe. As long as you don't give up the info everything is fine. Next time they call though just give them a wrong bank name like Scotch Bank (just like the alcohol drink, lol) and then give them a phony account number. When they see you're not serious then they will get the message and you can tell them to take you off their stupid list. If they give you lip service then threaten them with a lawsuit b/c that's one thing they don't like to hear. It makes them very nervous. Everything is recorded there.
Thank goodness I do not ever answer calls that I am unfamiliar with. I had kept receiving phone calls from variations of the number listed above, and finally wrote one down and punched it into Google. Long story short, I read all of the scam notifications and realized immediately what was going on. I am so glad that I followed my first hunch to not answer the phone. After reading up on the situation, I called the number back immediately.
When an agent answered, he started with, "Thank you for calling Travel Direct! Is this Maria?" Now, I work at a car dealership and am very familiar with telemarketing and caller ID technologies these days, so I wasn't too shocked… but I did use it to my advantage. Maria is actually my roommate's name, so I answered sweetly with, "No sir. I have received many calls from this number and was curious as to who might calling. No one by the name of Maria lives here."
Worked like a charm. He was apologetic and brushed the whole thing off with "Oh we're just a travel company, don't worry about it… must be a wrong number… I'll take you out of the database." Excellent. Crisis averted, and I recommend it to anyone. Just pretend they have the wrong number.
And if they call again, I'll keep insisting that no Maria lives here until the cows come home.
Well Art Lady I am glad you weren't conned like a bunch of other people were. The Better Business Bureau has finally completed it
HEY SALLY, PAY ATTENTION WILL YOU!
Once again another bank alert has been sent out to consumers. This time it
ANOTHER ALERT ON SUNTASIA MARKETING!
Yes folks you read it right AGAIN! This is becoming a frightening pattern with this company. The following alert comes from the Better Business Bureau website at:
http://www.thelocalbbb.com/alerts/alerts.html?newsid=882&newstype=1
This is the latest press release on Suntasia that came out a few days ago. You can read it below.
CURRENT ALERT:
Suntasia Marketing Targeting Area with Deceptive Calls
Date: November 13, 2006
Suntasia Marketing Targeting Area with Deceptive Calls
Company Saying
I have been dealing with Travel agents go direct and Florida getaways for 3 weeks now. I do not know how they recieved my checking and business account numbers, but everytime i turn around there is a new charge by one or the other of the. My business account is in the negatives due to these people and i can't do anything with it until they refund me. Everytime i call i am on hold for 15 minutes or more, am hung up on, or when i do talk to someone they are rude. They tell me the only way they can refund me is by sending them a letter, or recieving travel vouchers for that price. I just found two more charges by this company!! I cannot believe that they have not been shut down, i never thought to even look up and ripoff reports on them! I also did not think that rip offs and fraud would ever happen to me.
Well Sherri, you are not alone. It is situations like yours the reason why these crooks are being investigated by the Florida Attorney Generals office. Here is the inofrmation you need on how to handle these scma artists.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ON SUNTASIA MARKETING AND IT
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA WARNS IT
I just got a call from "Travel Agents Direct" for the first time. The claimed ot be from their "shipping department" and only wanted to verify my address…at first. I happened to be online when they called and I Googled the company name while the lady was on the phone (I do this often to telemaketers). I stopped her mid sentence and told her about all the scam reports I was seeing. She immediately went off on a rant about "ignorant people who don't listen", even used a couple of curse words in the process.
I told her thanks, but no thanks, and requested a number to call ofter I have done some "research". Of course, I have no intentions on calling. If they call again, I am going to royally screw with them. I gave her my bank name and the city I opened the account in, but I had no intention on giving my account information…even before I saw the scam alerts.
Real slick of them to sound professional on the phone, but a scam is still a scam. These people are trash, and they are either smooth-talking criminals or seriously drinking the Travel Agents Direct kool-aid and actualyy BELIEVE that they are not scamming people.
I just got a call from them. I was in class so I didn't answer. I was trying to figure out where it was from so I searched it. Thanks for posting this.
If you get a call from (727) 683 xxxx (any four numbers) its probably the scammers. I got calls fron 727 683 1116 , 727 683 1107 and a few more.. see the number sequence?
They have contacted me a few times with a few different numbers and at different times."Can we verify your account?""which bank do you have a checking account with?" "WE NEED TO VERIFY " HA HA. DONT fall for it..
Give them the finger!
I have a feeling I was very lucky.
I fell for such a pitch from "Travel Agents Direct" the day before this past Thanksgiving. I felt uncomfortable giving out my account number on the phone and felt I had little use for either the service or the free gift, but unfortunately I tend to be submissive. (Instead of simply saying I wasn't interested, I somewhat awkwardly said I don't think I could use the voucher, given my situation. The woman said that I could give it to a friend. I felt I couldn't really answer to this.) The person actually had started by reading off a totally incorrect account number and asking if that was correct…I said no, after which she asked for routing number then account number, along with the location where I opened the account. (She got the bank name for free from me, in the process of me somewhat naively asking about what she was saying.) When I asked if I could make the order in writing (so that I could review the legitimacy) and said that I wasn't sure, the woman seemed to become a little bit defensive though without totally losing it…said with a raised voice something like that they don't take credit cards and only operate by phone and that they're legitimate and that they only use the account number to debit if I go past the trial period…something like that. I very reluctantly read the account number off. I did it again during the supposedly recorded part. Wary and bitter about the whole thing, I said no to two or three additional offers at the end.
After the 30-minute phone call (and this was right around the time I was supposed to be packing to be picked up by my dad to go home for Thanksgiving), I felt violated, both with the time spent and that I had obediently read off the account number multiple times…but I somewhat dumbly managed to suppress the feeling. (I didn't want to cause concern for my parents…but this came around anyway when I finally told them a few days ago.)
I considered asking my bank about it through a secure message that Thanksgiving weekend, but I had a lot of other work to do, so I ended up not getting around to it. Being a student, I was stressfully occupied with work through to right before Christmas break, then had traveling to do after that.
Finally, the second thoughts came back. Maybe it had to do with that my PayPal MasterCard had a recent suspicious charge on it for roughly $150, which I've contested and currently think is unrelated. (The only link to my checking account it had, as far as I know, is that I'd paid for the credit card in the past by debiting from the checking account.) In a secure message to a bank representative through online banking, I said what had happened. A representative suggested that I close the account, and that since I gave my account number, debits made in connection to this wouldn't be considered as fraud.
Already having pretty much decided to close the checking account and open a new one in its place–even if just for peace of mind–, I did a quick web search earlier today…found this page. Yup, scam.
Oh god, I was so lucky–I didn't deserve to go so long without losing money (not considering that credit card thing), given how dumb I was.
Throughout the period since the Thanksgiving call (and actually starting before then…which annoyed me and led me to finally pick up when they called again), I kept occasionally receiving calls from them (same phone number pattern…727-683-111*). I didn't pick up because I didn't want to be further manipulated by them…but finally accidentally picked up a call this past Wednesday morning…a seemingly polite male asking if I'd received my vouchers yet…I said that as of the previous weekend I hadn't (which was as much as I'd known). He said that they'd be sent. I guess this call gave a temporary sense of confidence in the legitimacy, which lasted until seeing this webpage.
Anyway, I was wondering if they have any right to try to collect from me when they find that they can't debit from the account because it's being closed. (It's currently a disconnected zombie with no money or overdraft protection…it'll be truly closed in a few days.) Would it help at all for me to call and try to "cancel"? They do have that recording as evidence that I signed up, supposedly. :(
Well I am one of the stupid ones… I gave them all my info. So now what is the right way to go about this and fix it? Is there a way?
yeah I am also one of the stupid ones… they called so early and i was not thinking clearly. I am home for my christmas break and returning to school in a couple of days. I plan on closing my bank account but could not do so until I return to school, so the bank suggested freezing the account saying I could do nothing to the account unless I came into the bank with a photo ID, does anyone know if this method will work until I can offically close the account on wednesday?
Michael said it best. TALK TO YOUR BANK AND CLOSE THE ACCOUNT! I've banking experience and, although there are various procedures at various institutions, closing the account is the only 100% sure way of minimizing any damages. Some banks will flag an account for certain types of activity, but this is something you should actually go into a branch and speak with a personal banker about.
When a bank account is accessed electronically, for debits or credits, the transaction is called an ACH (Automated Clearing House). ACH transactions have very little dispute resolution outside of hacking and other electronic compromise of internal systems. Once you give out your Account and Routing numbers… well, it gets very difficult; closing the account, period, is your only sure bet. If you ever do find yourself in a situation where your banking information has to be divulged, DO IT ON PAPER!! Get copies of any and all agreements (these agreements should state the nature of the charges and limits on access to your account, as well as dispute resolution options) that you've signed in relation to any transaction that might be posted to your account via ACH; get names of personnel you speak with; record that company's information. Your bank will need these things should a problem in billing ever arise.
I've ALWAYS recommended using your Visa or MasterCard. They have many more security and recourse features and options that will truly protect you, as a consumer. Furthermore, if Visa, MasterCard, or any of the other leading names find disputed activity above an expected percentage from a specific vendor, they will discontinue that vendor's card authorization ability. In other words, if "Shady Joe's Johns" pads every customer's charge with $10.00 and every customer disputes the charges, "Shady Joe" won't be able to process cards anymore. It's a self sorting fraud loop, basically.
I couldn't help it, Classy Guy. I've emailed all major stations and even had to fax one. It felt good (a little too good, but hey, I gotta get my kicks somewhere!)
I received a call today from a lady at Travel Agents Direct (727)683-1107. The lady starts by saying congradulation you have won a vacation voucher for you and four of yours friends. She said that I was selected by my checking account. Then she start verifying my address and said that she would need me to verify my bank account information. I stated that I do not give out this type of information over the phone. She immediately hung the phone up. Even though I did not fall for the "SCAM", it scary to know that other people might!
Well they've struck again….my fianc
Write Suntasia a
Wow im glad I checked that company out.Complete SCAM.I was an idiot to fall for it.I just called them today and told them to cancel all the programs and that i do not authorize them to pull money out my account and i went to the bank and closed it.They better not try to call me back or keep sending me stuff in the mail b/c i was hecca pissed off.Its not even right that they already have peoples phone numbers, name and addresses. The only question I have is what exactly is a
Certified letter is when you go to the post office and have your letter that you're sending tracked so you have proof they got it. They must sign on the other end in order to receive it.
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for all the information. My boyfriend (M) received a call in late January from Travel Agents Go Direct. He nievely gave over his checking account information thinking he was going to get complimentary travel vouchers and such. He only spoke with two Travel Agents Go Direct reps. Once when he foolishly fell for this scam and another time to cancel. Since then he has been charged 3 different times in the past 3 weeks eventhough he cancelled. Each time from a different company: TRAVEL AGENTS GO DIRECT, FLORIDAWAY, and PRISM. We only noticed these charges because his account was in the red for unknown charges. With a little investigation of our own we realized it was the three aforementioned companies. At this point he tried calling all 3 companies which have done nothing but give him the run-around like have an automatic answer after waiting for awhile saying something like "I'm sorry we are currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please call back again later. Thank you!" or have the reps being completely rude. After he did talk to an actual rep, the man tried to offer him the gas vouchers, which he automatically said no thanks to. The rep even tried to play back the original recording in which he claims M agreed to all these charges. He played it back and it was completely distorted. One of the voices on the recording didn't even sound like M. Actually both voices didn't even sound human, they sounded more like cartoon characters with the amount of distortion. The rep basically said he couldn't be given a refund because they have a recording with M agreeing to any and all charges. What can I say by now but UGH! Since we just realized his account discrepancies and called the company yesterday I was curious to see if there was any information on this company. Go figure. There is. Thankfully someone else has done some research on this. This is really frustrating. I just needed to vent a little. Thank you so much for the helpful information. After reading the above information I called M to tell him some of the information I found. He immediately called his institution to have all electronic withdrawal transfers stopped. I hope I can talk him into closing his account all together just to be on the safe side. With the steps and information you've provided above…is it really likely anyone will get their money refunded? I am just wondering how many have actually done it successfully.
Thanks again for all the information!
You
This is why I usually don't answer the phone… but with the Florida area code, I thought it might be a family member. I should have hung up when I realized it wasn't, but I've known people who have done telemarketing, and they're not bad people — they just needed a job. So I hate to be rude to telemarketers. Trust me, if I get another call from these people, I WILL be rude.
I thought the "free vouchers" they were going to send sounded okay, though I probably wouldn't use them, so I verified my address. I started getting nervous when they asked about my checking account, but I told them my bank and I opened it. When the guy — very friendly, I might add — asked for the city I was born in to use as a "password" I started getting really nervous. I've used that on too many employment forms to consider it harmless information. I didn't hang up then; just told him a bogus answer and moved on. Then he asked for my routing number and account number. I told him I wasn't comfortable giving that out and he got defensive and a little angry, saying that my bank was great and really protected its customers, and his company was legit so it was all okay, now would I please verify my routing number and then read him my checking account number. I told him no and finally hung up, feeling dirty and used.
The guy was VERY slick, and very persuasive. He lured me in, chatted with me about Florida, seemed like a nice guy — while trying to get my personal information so he could charge me for something I didn't really want. UGH.
Can they do anything with the information they have? I did NOT give him my account number, but he has my name, address, bank and where the account was opened. I'm guessing I'm in the clear, but it still worries me that something will happen.
Also, if I continue to get calls from them, should I send the Cease and Desist letter? I signed up for the "Do Not Call" registry last week, so technically all of the calls should stop by the end of next month.
I really can't stand people who try to take money from the innocent…
I just want to say that I too recieved these calls from Travel Agents Go Direct in the past week. They call me 3-4 times a day. I didn't know who or what they were, I finally called back the name and went through the same thing, the nice guy telling you won a free voucher, for 4 friends, yaddy yaddy, I was very curt with him because I knewn there was going to be some hidden fee, I asked him how I got registered to win ( since that is what he told me) he said when I filled out information for an online loan with my account number that it automatically enters me in to win. I knew that was false and I told him I never anything like that out online, and goes on to verify my address which he knew, he then asked me to verify the last 4 digits of my account number that they have on file, and I how do you have my account number, and tells me the same lie he did before, I then told him I wanted to know the source that they got my account number from, and I told me that he could not do that, and I said your telling me you have my account number I want to know how you got it, he then tried to get me to tell him my account number again and I said NO I DO NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE MY ACCOUNT NUMBER, I don't just willingly give that out and I surely did not enter it into any damn website, he hung up on me. I then called back and as soon as the person went into the line I said put me into your manager NOW, I then get HEIDI on the phone who is VERY nasty and I told her I wanted to know what account number she had on file for me, she goes why, and I told her I want to cancell my bank account and she goes well why would you want to do that, and I said because I don't want people like you to have it, so repeat to me WHAT account number you have on file, she asked for my phone number which I gave to her and she tells me that she can not pull it up at the moment because my information has not been transfered to her database, I said lady I just talked to someone who told me they had my account number, I want to know how you got it and what number they have. She goes Well you do surf the internet don't you, and I said yes I have been on the internet and she goes well then that is how we got your account information and I said I do NOT give my information out via internet , I said you better start telling what so called account number you have on file, she goes I don't have that in front of me, you can call back in a few weeks when the database has been updated. I said you are a Manager and she goes yes I am I said spell YOUR name, your company which is a scam and I am reporting you, she goes well you can make all complaints to our CS number and I said oh I well and I will complain to others as well. She hung up on me. I then researched and found this page. I am so glad that I did, I am thrilled that I did not give out my account information, I even notified my bank so they can flag if they ever try to get money. I hope they do so I can file a fraud charge against them.
I am sorry that we all had to go through this with these people, I think it's disgusting that this company even operates, and I think it's even more disgusting that you have people who posted on here that actually work for this company and DEFEND IT! What is wrong with them, they need to get a real job. It makes me SO angry!
Well Feather and Noelle, your stories are nothing new. Sadly there are people like yourselves who complain everyday about this company. Be happy you didn
I just don't understand why people even feel compelled to answer a total strangers questions. Hang up, it's that easy. I just did it yesterday and I was totally fine with it.
B/c they keep calling that's why. If you thought they had your pseronal info you wouldn't be saying, "just hang up". They (agents) make you think like your account information was sold to them or something. Not all of us are as brave as you lady.
Ok everyone needs to get things right we dont take money out of your account unlessn you forget to ncall and cancel, you guys are stupid to NOT TAKE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER DOWN NOW WHENN WE GIVE IT TO YOU, dont complaint if you cant keep up with your mail its not a scam the 3/2 nights are good for the hilton marriot and raddison and its not as bad as you think i mean if u guys are so obsessed with giving out suntasias info that you have to list everyone in there company thats sad expecially when you work for them and probably bc u got fired thats why u talk crap because i know you liked those sweet $800 +++ paychecks
I find it hard to believe that a manager has zero grasp on the grammar, spelling, and the English language in general. That's really convincing, there.
Well, well, well, if it isn't another BRAVE Suntasia employee trying to defend a company with a bad business record. As always Mr. Suntasia Mgr. you guys NEVER tell the whole story. Let's begin shall we? Your 3 days & 2 nights is a pure scam just like your travel and gas vouchers b/c they can only be used if you are a member. Unfortunately, even if you are one, there are so many restictions to using them that it's not even worth the time trying, which is where I have the problem with you. It's what you don't tell them. You see Mr. Mgr. most often than not the agents always have to misrepresent themselves in order to make the sale. You guys put so much pressure on the agents in order for them to produce (6 sales a day) that they have no choice but to lie. You yourself should know that the agents are NOT allowed to give out the customer service number otherwise they get written up by management. Oh my, did you think I forgot about that? Oops! You didn't tell them that part did ya kid? lol
Oh wait! Did we mention that Suntasia has been investigated twice in 6 years by the feds? Most recently was the one in July of '06. Of course not Mr. Mgr b/c you are in denial like all the other employees there. Hey, what about the 3 tv news stations that exposed your scam last year? Or how about the 7 BANK ALERTS that have been sent out in the last 8 months alone on your company. Wait! You say you have no clue what I am talking about? Well, let me help you there Mr. Manager. Read below.
ATTENTION: ANOTHER BANK ALERT ON SUNTASIA MARKETING!
Like I have been saying all along, more and more alerts are being sent out by banks, tv new stations as well as the internet about these crooks.
The alert below was posted recently by Members Plus Credit Union warning it
Hi,
So I got called by these guys at odd hours for a couple weeks (on my cell phone no less). I finally picked up one day when I forgot to check the incoming number, and got the usual unbelievably aggressive and creepy sales pitch described by others on this board. Here's my issue: in addition to my routing number, they already had the last 4 digits of my checking account. I freaked out, closed the account that day, and did not give them the remaining digits of my account number (although I was stupid enough to give them my mailing addy, but it's at least temporary). How did they get the last four digits of my account? I know that the routing number and address/phone number are purchasable and pretty easy to come by for these sleazeballs, but where did they get the rest from? Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated!
Many people have complained about being debited even before receiving anything. How can they get away with this? Well, I am posting ONE of the scripts the agents use while on the phones. I say ONE b/c many agents there reword the script just to make a sale. I have a copy of a NON APPROVED script. Here is the regular script they normally use. Read below.
HERE IS AN ACTUAL SCRIPT THEY USED OR STILL USE.
When they call people they use this Script.
*Travel Agents Go Direct & Verification!!!!
Hi, (Customers name)
My name is __________ I
This is straight from the BBB website:
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/commonreport.html?bid=11002452
BBB Reliability Report
The Better Business Bureau
This is to let all of you know that the owners of Suntasia have changed their corporate name to Strategia Marketing, LLC. I just happen to drive by their building and sure enough there it was. Same colors and logo as the prior name but it is still the same scam.
The company claims they merged with another one but nothing can be farther from the truth. It is same suspects still running the show. The only reason the owners of Suntasia changed their name is bc of all the complaints. If you look at their Better Business Bureau Report it is full of them. Click below.
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/commonreport.html?bid=11002452
Now they have a new clean slate with the name Strategia bc they are not listed or registered with the Better Business Bureau. Same old scam though, you qualify for free gas and travel vouchers or grocery vouchers and they want you to give up your bank information to bill you whenever they want to.
The only difference in this new company as oppose to the old one is that Bryon Wolf, Roy Eliasson and Fred Wolf are managers at Strategia which is a limited liability company. Suntasia was a full fledged corporation with a President, Vice President and so on.
You can view the incorporation documents yourself online by going to http://www.sunbiz.org under Department of State
and typing the company names Strategia as well as Suntasia.
Don't be fooled bc they are continuing to promote the same product. They are as follows.
Travel Agents Go Direct
Variety
Credit Life
Freedom Gold
FloridaWay
Freedom Ring Communications
Florida Direct
West gates Resorts
Here is a list of programs they use to promote:
Agents Travel Network
Distinct Advantage
Capitol Vacations
Florida Passport
Travel Agency Network
Prism Communications
Teliflex Communications
VersaTalk
Remember it's always a different name but the same scam. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION!
CONSUMER ALERT!
ANOTHER BANK ISSUES A WARNING TO THEIR CUSTOMERS REGARDING SUNTASIA/STRATEGIA MARKETING'S "Travel Agents Direct" !
The following is from the Associated Credit Union website:
Don't Take The Bait! Watch For E-mail & Phone Scams!
Current Scams
A company called Travel Agents Direct calls members to inform them that they've won free hotel and travel vouchers. They know the credit union's routing number and ask for your checking account number to debit you for just enough to cover mailing you the vouchers!
The company gets information from those who may have purchased products from online marketing companies or infomercials, who pass on the personal information to Travel Agents Direct.
End of Alert.
Like I told you many times before, bank alerts are becoming common for Suntasia/Strategia marketing company. If you want to see the alert for yourself click the link below.
http://www.acuonline.org/home/accounts.accounts_alerts
The Florida Attorney Generals Office is conducting an investigation on Suntasia which is now known as "Strategia Marketing". The attorney generals office though is stating on their website that, "The case file cited below relates to a civil — not a criminal — investigation. The existence of an investigation does not constitute proof of any violation of law".
Here is the rest of it.
Case Number: L05-3-1172
Subject of investigation:
FTN Promotions, Inc.
Subject's address:
8751 Ulmerton Blvd., Largo, FL 33771
Subject's business:
Inbound/outbound telemarketing sales
Allegation or issue being investigated:
Unfair and deceptive trade practices regarding telemarketing sales and unauthorized debiting of consumer bank and credit accounts.
AG unit handling case:
Economic Crimes Division in Tampa, Florida
If you want to see the information for yourself, just go to the http://myfloridalegal.com and type the letters "FTN" in the search.
Suntasia recently changed their corporate name to Strategia Marketing, LLC. Now they have a new website with a different name. The only thing is that it's just a copy of the old one. Take a look.
Suntasia's Website: (former)
http://www.suntasia.com/
Strategia's Website: (new)
http://www.strategia.com/
The only exception between the two is the different colors on the opening page using black instead of gold but the wording is still the same. If you want to know who runs this crooked empire, click on their website. Remember it is STILL the same people, same scam (gas, grocery and travel vouchers), same products just a different name.
TIPS
1. Gain as much information on the company you are speaking to as possible before you confirm or verify ANY personal info. If the caller hesitates or refuses to answer your questions, promptly end the call by telling them to take you off their list or you will report them to the FTC and hang up.
2. If the calls become harassment, then report them to the FCC, as well.
3. Whenever your personal information is quoted back to you by someone you don't know, hang up ASAP and contact the appropriate bank or credit card company(ies) and report that your personal info was quoted to you by a stranger. Request that no unauthorized charges go through without your permission. Then—-
4. Check ALL bank and credit card statements regularly. In fact, make this a habit. If any questionable or unauthorized transactions are present, you can be pro- active ASAP.
5. Check the company out with the BBB FIRST before agreeing to anything via a cold call. If you have an unresolved issue concerning this or other companies, file formal complaints with your local BBB for resolve!
END OF ALERT !
If you want to see the warning for yourself then click below.
http://www.spokane.net/stay_connected/PressReleases.aspx?prid=699
UPDATE: BREAKING NEWS ! !
FEDERAL AGENTS RAID STRATEGIA MARKETING AKA SUNTASIA AND SHUT IT DOWN.
For Release: July 25, 2007
FTC Stops Massive, Deceptive Telemarketer
The Federal Trade Commission, with assistance from local police and the United States Postal Inspection Service, today halted the operations of a massive, Largo, Florida-based telemarketing scheme operated by Suntasia Marketing, Inc. The FTC alleges that over the last several years, Suntasia used at least fifteen different business names to defraud consumers across the United States out of tens, and perhaps hundreds, of millions of dollars. According to the FTC, when Suntasia
According to Steve Baker, Director of the FTC
Here are two more media outlets that did the story on the raid today.
News Channel 8 Video
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/25/telemarketing-company-shut-down/?news-breaking
WTSP – Tampa Bay's 10 News
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=59847
KDKA Channel 2 in Pittsburgh has updated a story they did on one of Suntasia's sub companies, "Distinct Advantage", the discount savings program that was promoted up until a few months ago when the name changed to "Variety". Same scam just different name.
A local woman a year ago named Shirley Smorey of McKeesport, Pa was one of the consumers to get caught up in the scam. She says she was promised $100 in gas coupons and $500 in airline vouchers just for trying a
Former Employees Speak Out About Suntasia's Inside Operations
For those who don't know how everything operated at Suntasia Marketing, I am going to link you to a website that gives you inside information on how these crooks got away with this scam for so long. Everything that has been posted here concerning the questionable practices of this company is true. Now here it for yourself.
Alex Eckelberry is the host of the website http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com where he did a podcast interview with two former Suntasia (aka Strategia Marketing) employees. The two women agreed to be interviewed providing that their REAL names be with held due to fear of retaliation. They go by the names Stephanie and Carol. Many of the things they revealed I experienced myself but the fact that it is verified by these two women proves what I and others have been posting all along.
They talked about how;
* they presented the script over the phone to the unsuspecting consumer and how the agents tricked consumers by asking the name & city location of their bank so they could pull up the routing number and pretend to have their account #
* they heard other agents (ballers: high sales people) misrepresent themselves by saying that they needed the account number to verify that they had an open checking acount.
* everyone had to use the main key word "TODAY" because that was stating in the recording that they are not being billed for that day, but what Suntasia's agents don't tell you is that the consumer is going to be billed the next day and the next days to come even though it was suppose to be a two week free trial.
* they rebuttaled the person over and over again if they didn't want to give up their account information. The slick wording that was used.
* Suntasia management also scammed the employees when their paychecks were wrong and how hard it was to get it corrected.
* Suntasia doesn't care about your experience and just wanted you on the phone to make sales as quickly as possible.
* they felt the area (company grounds) was very restricted because of all the so called "secrets" between each room that was selling different products.
* the three different offers had three different numbers to call in case the consumer wanted to cancel. Unfortunately the consumer wasn't made aware of this.
* the sales person would claim they were in the shipping department and never would give details about the products being offered.
To hear the entire interview, you can download the Mp3 podcast by clicking below.
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/ihs/interview2d88.mp3
A blank screen will pop up and a little white box in the bottom left hand corner will appear. Once the audio clip has finished downloading, the screen will show a gray Quicktime audio bar. From there you can click play. The interview is very lengthy but so worth it. I hope this helps you understand how massive this scam was.
Another Ex Suntasia/Strategia Employee Spoke Out and Talked to Fox 13 News in Tampa.
For weeks, Cory Millican put his nagging suspicions on hold and picked up the phone 450 times a day. What was he hoping to get? "Their checking account number," Millican said.
Millican says he didn't feel right doing it, but Strategia marketing pressured their employees to get the caller's checking account number. They did it, he says, by tricking potential customers with discounts and freebies.
He was very clear about how the scam worked and how his conscience would not let him continue. He realized that the product was a sham because there were people who had no need for the travel or gas vouchers but his manager kept pushing him to do it. If you want to see the interview click below.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=3884283&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1
Also Eric Seidel, he is the consumer lawyer for the station did a story on the fraud and illegal activity that went on. Click below to see video.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=3879484&version=1&locale=EN-US
suntasia is actually not that bad of a company. we make it really fucking simple for people to call and cancel the program and we state it about 3 times on a recorded line that you yourself can listen to
Oh yeah, Travel Agent Finder? Well take a look at your precious Suntasia/Strategia from another ex employee who was on the inside. Click on the links below.
Another Ex Employee Speaks Out On the Secrets Of Suntasia Marketing
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7750723407821068329&hl=en
Heart Broken & Humiliated
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7178158096400420474&hl=en
Your precious Suntasia/Strategia was nothing but a scam!
Soo… they told me to write a letter to refund, i did.. but never sent it. A year has past since this all happened to me.. 149.00 taken out of my checkin from florida way, 49.99 taken from prism. I went thru my files and notice i never sent off the letter, u think it's too late to sent it now? u think theyll refund my money? I'm really upset about this, cuz they didn't even send me any info! Classy guy, u seem to know lots and lots about this stuff… what should i do??
Guess What…They are back in business. They think they can hide from authorities by scamming from overseas/offshore. Same people same scam plus some bolder scams because they think they can trick the FTC. These guys are bolder than you think. They think they are smarter then the feds, bragging about not getting caught and hiding all of their profits from the feds. Aparently so since they have restarted their operations.
Yup, these guys are still operating. Got a call today from "World Travel" or whatever company name they claim to be under now. Same spiel, free travel vouchers and stuff. I was stupid enough to give the name of my bank, but when they asked for routing number that sounded a little too farfetched. I googled, found this page, and quietly hung up the phone. Regret not giving them a earful.