- Report: #493677
Complaint Review: Global Worldwide Travel - Costa Mesa California
Reported By:
melvin77 -
Newport Beach, California, USA
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Global Worldwide Travel
575 Anton, Floor 3 Costa Mesa, California, United States of America
Phone:
8666018851
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Global Worldwide Travel Discount Global Travel Global Worldwide Travel may be an alias of Discount Global Travel Got phone call re winning a prize, they want you to come in to claim prize, 90 minute celebration Costa Mesa, California
I received a phone call on my home phone that stated that Tony from (inaudible) was calling, I had won a prize in a sweepstakes, that I had, or someone had filled out a sweepstakes form in the last 12-18 months with my name on it, and I had definitely won a prize, please call them back at 1-866-601-8851, extension 2001.
Out of curiosity, I called the phone number. Extension 2001 did not exist, so I pressed "0" when it prompted me for the extension, which got a receptionist who answered the phone "Prize Fulfillment Center". The receptionist said Tony wasn't there, and put a guy on the phone who said his name was John Watts, and mentioned in passing that it was his company. He sounded slightly Hispanic, she sounded African American, by their accents. Mr. Watts (if that is really his name) said that I had, or someone had, filled out a sweepstakes form in my name in the last 12-18 months, and I was most definitely a winner of one of the following 4 prizes: a) a new Lincoln Navigator, or $45,000 in cash, b) $2500 in cash, c) a free trip to either Mexico, Las Vegas, or Orlando, for 3 nights and 2 days, round trip, for 2 people, or d) a 32" flat screen TV. I mentioned I did not like Las Vegas or Orlando, he said there is Mexico.
He said that the form had me listed as married (I am not), between 28 and 65, and earning more than $45K a year. I told him I did not recall filling out the sweepstakes form, and that I am not married, and had not been in some time. This did not bother him, he said you just need to fill out the corrected form when you come in, and it has to match. He said you need to come into their office at 575 Anton, Floor 3, in Costa Mesa, on Saturday September 12 at 2PM to collect the prize.
He said it is NOT a time share, no purchase required, but they are having a celebration of opening their new travel agency, and doing this promotion is cheaper than buying commercials. He said if you win the car, you have to agree to be part of their promotions. I said, what if you win one of the other prizes? He said, no obligation there. He said 12 people had been selected to come to the opening celebration, and all 12 had each won one of the 4 gifts above. He said his (John Watts') personal extension was 1-866-601-8851 x 1028.
I asked if there was anything else I needed to know. He said bring 2 forms of ID with you, and show up before 2PM, maybe at 1:55 or so, otherwise you cannot claim your prize. I said, re the ID, a driver's license and a passport? He said no, we want a driver's license and a credit card, because they want to make sure you are the type that can pay for travel. I said, why not a passport, that proves I travel. He said, we don't take your credit card information, just wave it at us, to show you have it. (note: perhaps they have an RFID scanner?).
I asked if there was anything else. He said do not bring any children or guests to this event. He again wanted to be sure that my income was above $45K a year, because they "need to make sure you can pay the taxes on the car, if you win it". I said what if you take the cash, instead of the car? He said, yes, you can take the cash, instead of the car.
I'm tempted to go there an hour early, put my credit cards and driver's license in an RFID-shielded pocket, bring a camera, and take a pocketknife with me, in case I need it. The idea would be to take their picture if they give me any trouble.
Does anyone have any advice? Is this the same scam as Discount Global Travel? The address appears to be similar.
Out of curiosity, I called the phone number. Extension 2001 did not exist, so I pressed "0" when it prompted me for the extension, which got a receptionist who answered the phone "Prize Fulfillment Center". The receptionist said Tony wasn't there, and put a guy on the phone who said his name was John Watts, and mentioned in passing that it was his company. He sounded slightly Hispanic, she sounded African American, by their accents. Mr. Watts (if that is really his name) said that I had, or someone had, filled out a sweepstakes form in my name in the last 12-18 months, and I was most definitely a winner of one of the following 4 prizes: a) a new Lincoln Navigator, or $45,000 in cash, b) $2500 in cash, c) a free trip to either Mexico, Las Vegas, or Orlando, for 3 nights and 2 days, round trip, for 2 people, or d) a 32" flat screen TV. I mentioned I did not like Las Vegas or Orlando, he said there is Mexico.
He said that the form had me listed as married (I am not), between 28 and 65, and earning more than $45K a year. I told him I did not recall filling out the sweepstakes form, and that I am not married, and had not been in some time. This did not bother him, he said you just need to fill out the corrected form when you come in, and it has to match. He said you need to come into their office at 575 Anton, Floor 3, in Costa Mesa, on Saturday September 12 at 2PM to collect the prize.
He said it is NOT a time share, no purchase required, but they are having a celebration of opening their new travel agency, and doing this promotion is cheaper than buying commercials. He said if you win the car, you have to agree to be part of their promotions. I said, what if you win one of the other prizes? He said, no obligation there. He said 12 people had been selected to come to the opening celebration, and all 12 had each won one of the 4 gifts above. He said his (John Watts') personal extension was 1-866-601-8851 x 1028.
I asked if there was anything else I needed to know. He said bring 2 forms of ID with you, and show up before 2PM, maybe at 1:55 or so, otherwise you cannot claim your prize. I said, re the ID, a driver's license and a passport? He said no, we want a driver's license and a credit card, because they want to make sure you are the type that can pay for travel. I said, why not a passport, that proves I travel. He said, we don't take your credit card information, just wave it at us, to show you have it. (note: perhaps they have an RFID scanner?).
I asked if there was anything else. He said do not bring any children or guests to this event. He again wanted to be sure that my income was above $45K a year, because they "need to make sure you can pay the taxes on the car, if you win it". I said what if you take the cash, instead of the car? He said, yes, you can take the cash, instead of the car.
I'm tempted to go there an hour early, put my credit cards and driver's license in an RFID-shielded pocket, bring a camera, and take a pocketknife with me, in case I need it. The idea would be to take their picture if they give me any trouble.
Does anyone have any advice? Is this the same scam as Discount Global Travel? The address appears to be similar.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Bill
Pewaukee,Wisconsin,
United States of America
Crystal Lake, Ilinois Global World Wide Travel
#2Consumer Comment
Wed, February 17, 2010
I had an encounter similar to the original one reported. I was contacted "out of the blue" by phone and given a number to call, with information that there was only so many days to claim my prize. I spoke initially with a woman calling herself Lisa, who represented herself as a manager. She indicated that I had filed an entry application sometime in the last two years and had now been selected to claim one of four prizes: a Lincoln Navigator, $2,500 in cash, 32" plasma screen TV or a trip. The trip she represented was anywhere in the world. She indicated it had to be taken within the next eighteen months, but that no other restrictions applied. She indicated furthermore, that I would be given $1,000 cash as spending money for the trip, or to reimburse me for having to get a passport, etc. She then indicated I had to make an appointment for this, even though she sad there were no presentations involved, nothing for sale, nothing to buy, etc. All I had to do was to appear at their Crystal Lake, Illinois office at the appointed time with my wife and two pieces of identification. Upon being asked a pointed question, she said it was fine to leave my cash and credit cards locked in my trunk if I wanted. I made an appointment.
The following day, the day before the appointment, I received a VM from a different representative (calling himself Dario) of the company who said it was necessary for me to call to get some details so that the session the following day would go smoothly. I returned the call, and was required to leave a VM. The call was returned the same day around ninety minutes later. The individual asked me why I had called. Upon hearig I was returning his call, he then took some time to verify who I was, and advised that the appointment was really fifteen minutes earlier than I had originally scheduled. He then indicated that I was required to bring one major credit card as one of the two pieces of identification, so "they were sure they were awarding the prize to the right person". I indicated that I was uncomfortable with that. He said that I could hold the credit card at all times, conceal all account numbers, etc. I indicated I was prepared to bring my passport, military identification card and driver's license, all of which were more likely to establish my identity than a credit card. He indicated it was a requirement by the people who ran the contest.
I then asked him some questions about the trip. He indicated it was a three day, two night trip to one of various location (80 or so?) in North America. I indicated some surprise, as "Lisa" had told me the previous day that it was anywhere in the world. He then indicated that he would check with Lisa to see what she had told me, and came back on to verify that in fact it was what she told me. I then asked about the $1,000 cash she promised, and was advised that if I win the trip, I would qualify for a $1,000 online shopping spree. When asked, he could not supply the purveyor of the online goods, but did indicate I would be responsible for shipping and handling.
I then indicated from common sense and prior experience with the operations I would be winning the trip. He said that I would get a scratch off card and would scratch off one of the aforementioned prizes. I asked him to provide me with the respective odds of winning the cash, trip and TV, and he said that, while the information existed, he was unable to provide me with it at that time. I then canceled the appointment. He requested that I remain on the line to talk with "Lisa" in the event she could interest me in another trip (as they are a travel agency). She came on the line, and I asked her to explain the apparent discrepancy between her information on the trip the previous day and what "Dario" had told me. She indicated that there was a list of trips from which I could select to predetermined destinations. I then asked her to name one destination in Europe. Long pause. She then referred to a three day, two night cruise out of the Bahamas. I then requested to be provided with one destination in Europe. She then indicated that it appeared that I wished to cancel my appointment, wished me a good day, and the conversation ended.
