Universal Fun Pass Scam

Presuming money has been removed from your account without your authorisation, contact your cedit card company and tell them that is what has happened.

I am not sure of the exact circumstances of either case but the only means of having the money returned will be by contacting the bank as soon as possible

Hi everyone,

I hate that its happened, but I got to this board too late. I'm hoping that by posting, it will update and push the topic up in Google's search ranking. More people need to be able to hit on this when they type in 'Universal Five Star Scam'.

I was scammed July 10, 2009 (on my birthday) by Five Star Universal. The sales rep (Monica) made an unsolicited call. She already had information about my name, address, email, phone number and DOB. She let me know that in partnership with VISA, Universal was offering me a prize package: 3 days, 4 nights in Orlando, cruise ship, up to four people, bonus 3 extra weeks...the works. They provided the first numbers of the cc and asked me to confirm the rest. Stupidly, I did. I was able to confirm that VISA wasn't working with them, the website was owned by a portal, the BBB gave them an 'F'. rating, and that ALL cc have the same initial four digits. I phoned (half a dozen times), and a Universal manager (Stella) said it was a non refundable fee; and she would open an investigation. The phoneline was never answered after that.

What I wanted to add to this board is: Do everything you can think of! It's NOT your fault, and have someone who can support you, be there. You were a victim. This is the most humiliating and scary financial/internet scam I've experienced, and I would have beaten myself up much more emotionally, mentally, if my boyfriend hadn't been there.

Things I learned during the phone scam after my card was compromised:

-You can place a block on your card, lower your credit limit if the charge hasn't been authorized yet.
-Contact your CC Resolutions or Fraud Department with all the details. They'll log a note everytime you call.
-You can't dispute the charge until the payment is charged to your account. Initially, the charge was authorized over the phone, but doesn't post to your account until 2-3 business days.
-Write down your facts so you can sum briefly to the cc rep. The first time I called in, I rambled.
-If you cc is connected with your bank, go in and get a representative to help fight for you.
-Your cc company IS tracking the shady company- if you get a bad rep who is saying 'we can't do anything, you gave out your cc info willingly. Our company can't verify whether a vendor is fraudulent' then phone back again. And again. Until you find someone who's been there or will fight for you.

I hope this helps.

Welcome to Scamwarners strieudal. Thank You for posting this useful and encouraging information.

It will alert, educate and help others. Well Done

If you have any questions or concerns, please post and a support team member will be glad to assist you.

Thank You again.

Google search on "universal fun pass" click here

Hi,

I should have acted a lot sooner but last year when I made a search on the company Universal Adventure USA (which sells pretty much the same thing than Universal Fun Pass, so think it's the same people) I didn't find anything to worry about. Now, a year later, I can find a lot more complaints than positive feedback about the company and the deals they offer.

My problem is this: I was called, asked my credit card number, etc. etc. The promotion is similar to the original one posted. It's been a year, however. Since it is mentioned that we can extend the package, I thought I'll just wait and see when I'll be able to go. It is mentioned also in that contract that it can be extended at no additional cost. That's not true, since when I called the company last May they asked for 99$ for the extension. I refused to pay then and tried to find buyers to transfer the package to meanwhile.

The expiration date has passed (it was yesterday). I called the company on Friday (it's closed on weekends) and was only able to leave messages. Nobody called me back. I sent an email, I don't have a reply yet.

Just like the original poster, I have paid for the "registration fees" but never set dates for the travel. So basically I paid for no service given yet. And I think they have blocked my phone number and ignoring my messages on purpose so that I can't even get the chance to renew the package and go next year. This is absurd. The company gives almost no details when they charge you and send the details later, lie about some of the details such as the extension fee, and I have yet to see the Florida soil.

I wonder now, is there something I can do about it since it's been a year? I'm guessing not (there's usually only a few days or a month allowed to protest at the visa company). I filed a BBB complaint Friday and there's no way I'm going to get into a law suit that will cost me more than the 500$ I paid. But I wonder if there's one tweak somewhere that can either force the company to refund Visa and then Visa to refund me. I feel so stupid, I always take time to think before doing something, but this was a nightmare situation I got dragged in... I want it to be over but not without a good fight if I have a possibility to fight.

Thanks for the advice/reply. You can contact me by email xxxxxxx . I hope there's an email sent when a reply is posted, too.

Moderator edit: I have removed your email address from this post to protect your anonymity. You will receive an alert when there is a post on this thread if you have chosen that option when you posted. Anyone who wishes to contact this member, please do use our private messaging system. -Jillian

Hi everyone,

Here's an update to the Universal Scam and my cc. company.

The Resolutions Dept. mediated a conference call between myself and the manager (Stella). The manager played back a recording of the call (very painful). She also cited the cc. terms and conditions. In response to my cc. rep asking if she could reverse the charges as a one time courtesy, the manager gave two options: either transfer the package to a friend or relative (NO) or extend the timeframe to two years. She then hung up.

The cc. Resolutions Dept rep was unable to credit my account as a result. They suggested I call the Better Business Bureau of TX. (Where the company is located)

I'm sorry to hear that things are difficult for you too. So this company has an office in Texas too eh? Because it's Georgia usually. They might be spread out here and there.

What do they mean when they say to extend the timeframe to 2 years?

I'm not intending to compliment these people but this is quite cunning in concept and I dealt with something broadly similar in the UK last year.

Their one basic intent above all else is to get your credit card details from you. Nothing else matters. The one I dealt with was a Christmas event supported by a clearly dodgey website and it was the crappiest event known to Santas' reindeer. It's a basic hit and run, with enough of an apparent commercial transaction built round it to make it difficult to challenge. This business of encouraging a delay is an added twist that really damages your recourse even further.

The way we sank the UK deal was to shoot down the merchant trader facility with the bank, but that's going to be really hard in this case, and we did that by overwhelming it with valid claims, which took some detailed knowledge of UK law. We also had detailed information on the people behind the deal, and the UK people I dealt with, were linked to organised crime families. We also involved UK newspapers and TV, and the whole thing became quite famous. (I was hoping to receive a horse's head out of it at least ).

Just generally thinking over this one it'll be a toughie to get any success, especially as these people are dealing in different states, which is another added layer of complexity, but I do know that these people have even rung people in the UK with this proposition.

It's no help, but the golden rules is, never ever give your card details to any stranger who rings you out of the blue, and there is no such thing as a free gift where you have to pay money up front.

THANK YOU!!!!!
I was on the phone talking to this nice woman who was really happy that i was one of only 3% who won this exact package. She verified my wifes email, name, and mailing address, so I was thinking this was legit. As she was describing the vacation, she would ask random questions such as"have you ever done any watersports?" and"have you ever been on a cruise?". She also slipped by a monetary amount,,,,I said WAIT hold on, when is this money due? Who takes it, how is it taken....she then said that I would have to speak with someone from shipping. When I finally spoke to the woman from shipping, she kept asking for the security digits on the back of my credit card. OK something is up.....I google "universal studios scams" and this comes up. As I am reading this she is yapping in my ear trying to get my security digits. I said i wasn't willing to give any CC info over the phone. She tried to assure me that nothing bad would happen, and blah blah blah, can I get those numbers please? NO! I don't want this goodbye. She hung up not wasting any time(probably to hurry up and scam anyone else). So again thank you very much for posting this!!!

If you think about it, it's simple to work out.

A stranger rings you up out of the blue telling you that you've won something.

They add that they want your credit card information.

ANY call that follows that plan is a scam.

You may feel dumb if you get suckered by it, but they fill your head with a lot of confusing and tempting ideas which are cleverly scripted to get the one thing they want out of you - your credit card information.

Basically you are getting mugged by phone.

If what you've won has any monetary value, ask them to send you a cheque for the cash equivalent. If they can't do that then it is likely that they are asking you to pay for something with no cash value.

@ Kandem:

That is excellent news. Quick thinking on your part to do a search while she was talking to you. I'm so glad that the posts here helped to save you from future problems in dealing with this. Thanks for taking the time to post!

Hearing about scumbags not getting money makes us happy.

Give us all the good news you can, and let us know who tried to scam you.

Maybe we can make more people happy.

@Kheten: Thanks for the condolences.

The "two year extension" means that they won't refund my money but instead, keep the package active for 2 years under my name. I could use it to "travel" (and of course, pay to get there, pay hidden fees, be forced to visit their location at every destination, and in general COMPLY with a detestable scam company) if I chose, as their manager explained.

@Kandem: Thank goodness! I want this to be one of the first hits people get when they google Five Star Universal. I am so glad there was a good story that came from this.

@GomerPyle: The silver lining after this humiliating debacle is that I've come out knowing that there really is no such thing as a free lunch.

Final update:
I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Fort Worth, Texas, and received a response on August 7th. BBB sent a query to the company and (same as my c.c. representative), were told that Five Star Universal had an audio recording of my authorization for the nonrefundable package and the details of the receipt. BBB asked if I had documentation to support my case, with a 10 day window for my response before they would close the complaint. I will not pursue the case any further (lacking any proof; and rendered useless by my lack of questioning, or researching), and instead will treat it as a bitter and frustrating lesson.

-strieudal

hi everyone, I'm from canada and apparenty, i'm not the only one fall in this shit. I recived a call in last november and i'm in dispute with visa till this time. Visa don't want to refund me cause i supidly gave my cc #. anywais, i made my mourn but continue fighting with visa to get my money back. your advise guys are verry apreciate and helpfull tanks guys.

my procedure: i open dispute whit visa, conplain to phone buster, complain to FBI, complain to Ombudsman, complain to atlanta police department and complain to office of the attorney general. I wait for any answer from these organism.


lelam

Welcome to Scamwarners Lelam.

Thank You for posting this information and suggesting possible ways to obtain a refund.

I very much hope you are successful. Would you please let us know of any developments.

If you have any questions or concerns a support team member will be glad to help you.

Just like Lelam I too am Canadian and got scammed by these people back in July. I've tried to contact my cc company and they've been no use unsurprisingly. I feel like such a fool because this is the second time I've been scammed with the first scam happening about 4 years ago. However there's a happy ending to the first scam. I was scammed by a local, and after 4 years I've finally been able to bring the guy to court and we resolved this. I already received about 65% of my stolen money and I'm going to receive the rest in the next few months. I still lost money due to the procedures I had to do in order to get him to court, but at least I'm going to get most of my money back.

Then just a few months after my victory with the first scammer, I now have to deal with a whole new set of scammers. Great. Well I didn't let the first scammer get away with this, and it won't be any different here either. Five Star Universal already have $597.07 of my hard earned money, and I'm not going to give them a penny more of my money. Instead I'm going spend alot of my time and effort fighting these guys. Lelam what's Ombudsman? I never heard of that place yet. And the FBI? I hadn't tried those guys yet. I hadn't received a message back from either Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General of Texas. If the BBB get back to me saying they heard a recording of me agreeing to the non refund policy, you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to tell them they edit those recordings, give great details what's missing and I'll even search to try and find former employees to corobarate with my claims if I have to. Considering there's a lot of employees I've heard that wasn't even paid by these people, I'm certain they'll have more problem vouching my claims. I'm not taking this sitting down.