Universal Fun Pass Scam

Oooo! Just thought I'd take a look at the '5 Star Universal' website to get some more information for may bank and http://www.fivestaruniversal.com now redirects to http://etechusa.com/suspended.page/

Suspended is brilliant news indeed.

Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.

It might be only temporary.
Although

Updated Date: 12-oct-2009
Creation Date: 15-oct-2008
Expiration Date: 15-oct-2010

Even if they pay yearly, the first year isn't quite ended, so it doesn't seem to be a matter of an overdue payment.
Let's hope it stays down.

Nope . . . it's back up!!!

I was phoned last night with this scam. I was excited (we have never won anything before!) and foolishly gave my credit card number and contact information to them and agreed to a charge. This morning my husband and I became worried. I tried to call the "customer care" number and had to call 3 times before anyone answered. When they answered, it sounded like a home phone with call waiting even though it was an 800 number. I explained I did not receive a confirmation email and they assured me I would receive one again. My husband told me to check it out on the internet and to my dismay I found this site explaining we had been scammed. I called our credit card company and told them what I did and they explained that I may not be able to cancel the payment as I had authorized it. I did cancel my card for a new one so no other charges may be made by this outfit. What a stupid thing I did. I went against all the sensible things I know and have been told...if you win something, it is free. You do NOT need to pay anything. This is a hard lesson and we are not rich people so we will be paying for something we did not get but at least I know they can't charge us anymore. I read where people are afraid to tell others about mistakes they made because it might make them look foolish...if my testimonial helps anyone from making the same mistake, then I fell better. Nanny

Can you tell me what company name they used and what country you live in please ? I don't need any information about you.

These people mostly operate from the USA, though variations of the same scam are spreading all over the world.

I'm doubtful of what I can achieve even though I have a big file and a lot of information on some of the people behind the scams.

One problem is that they can shut down one company and open another in the blink of an eye, but if I know what their current scam is, I know better what to focus on for the greatest impact on their operation.

Gomer, I got punked by these lowlife ratbags last night - soon as I get some info on the transaction from my bank, I`ll post here it for you.

BTW, did you know that 5 Star runs out of a building in Arlington, Texas? Their top people appear to be Janet Gonzalez and Trish Maria Rojas.

I know quite a lot about them.

They operate, or appear to operate, outside Florida because Florida state laws provide a period during which people can cancel the contract and payment for any reason. To a legitimate company this would not be a problem, but any company that trades by snaring customers, that's a problem.

There are two locations used outside Florida, Texas and Georgia, and though I have seen evidence of telemarketing being arranged from those locations it would be interesting to know where the 'back office' work is being handled.

A far as I can tell this is all Florida based, and any 'cross border' enterprise in the USA does raise legal implications but I'm not sure how much the US legal system will protect foreign victims. That's why I may use a different tactic of making people aware by contacting media.

Mainly they have been targeting Canadians, but I'd like to know what company name they used as well as what country you are from.

One piece of advice.

Beware of going to websites that offer you the chance of entering free competitions that ask for your name and address and postcode. You're unlikely to win a prize, but you're certain to receive marketing calls, and they have your details to make it appear that they know you already.

I too was hit by these scum last night with similar story to what has been psted by others. I immediately put a cancellation to the fee -- bank said no guaratees -- so i now have all fingers and toes crossed. How do these people get away with it????? Don't know how they can restfully sleep at night preying on innocent people!! Im still waiting for their e-mail to come through with the "holiday package" -- is there anything else I should do in the meantime.????????????? This is a worrying time, however I have learnt a valuable lesson from this and will certainely not get scammed again.
from a foolish and very frantic person at the moment :

Hi Scam Vic

Welcome to Scamwarners

I will let Gomer answer your questions, he knows a lot more about this scam than I do.

I do want to mention however that you are not foolish, these scammers are well organised and well rehearsed, stealing from people is their job and they are quite good at it.

Hi Gomer - I'm in Scotland, and after taking my CC details (and putting the transaction thru) they told me they were 5 Star Universal, not Disney as they said at the start. Bank info confirms that the transaction has gone thru under the name Universal Tickets. Any help?

All information helps. I'm just dismayed that they have such a widespread area they are working.

Next question.

Do you recall filling in any online applications for prize draws, or even one from a magazine leaflet ?

I'm wondering how they're getting hold of people's phone numbers and details. My mother nearly completed one from an insert in a TV listings magazine. This was in the UK, and I suspect that they just sell the bulk details onto these companies that just want to raid you credit card.

By the way - cancel your card to prevent them making any more withdrawals. It's not unknown that they'll try to withdraw more.

If you're angry and determined, your main chance of success is by putting pressure on your cc company - politely, then moral blackmail, using anything in your life that might make an appealing story for a programme like 'Watchdog'. You have been scammed whatever anyone says, and your cc company can get your money back if you give them a powerful reason to do so. Bad publicity is a good reason. It may be ungentlemanly, but you're the victim here. If ever I'm a victim I find I'm not very gentlemanly.

Hi Gomer

They are very clever in what they do and im kicking myself because i told them about 4 times i was not giving them my bank details until i had seen the e-mail -- whatever they said next i ended up giving it to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have now recieved the e-mail and im going to take your advice in a earlier post and ask politely to cancel. I am still waiting to see if the money has one out of my account at moment i have cancellation on it but bank said that there are no guarantees -- it will take 2-3 days. I have also cancelled my card and waiting for new information to be sent through. Don't really know where i stand as it was not a credit card i used but a debit card????? Bank have informed me that if the money is processed then i will have to go down through the dispute process -- so fingers crossed. Many thanks for this site, all the posts have been a help, it's just sad there are people that will do these things.
Hopefully enough people will find out about this to reduce the number of people who are getting hit stung by these scumbags.
I will keep you informed of any progress -- and if all else fails I have learnt a valuable lesson the hard way.
ps...I don't recall entering a competition for a holiday and did state this a few times during the phone call......they then told me the date I had done it!!!!!!!! The only reason i went ahead and listened to the was that i did complete a competition to win concert tickets a few weeks ago and have since had a couple of phone calls for discouted utility bills etc so i thought it was linked to this.
Earlier today though I was speaking to my mother in law and she had also had phone call same day .... but wisely put phone down on them ... so im now thinking it could not have been linked to the other competition i done. So i am at aloss as to where they have had the information from?????????

If you have the link to the competition could you pm it to me.

I'd like to enter and see what happens.

I understand what you mean about it being clever, but it's clever like a blood sucking leech, and I've had a few real ones of them on me in my time. They may be clever to get you, but they're still nasty and unpleasant.

One thing some of these people do is to record part of the call, and then play it back to the card company to evidence that you willingly gave them your card details. However under UK law this is illegal.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ ... rvfaq3.htm

They can record it but not play it back to third parties. That's why it's important never to allow them to get you involved in a three way call to your cc company, otherwise it confuses the issue of you giving them consent to disclose information. NEVER give them permission to speak to your cc company.

I'm not sure if that gets you very far, but it helps to evidence that these companies use illegal practices to scam you.

You can still refute a direct debit charge. It's called chargeback

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/visa-debit-chargeback/

Thanks for the advice Gomer i will make sure i do not get into a three way conversation then.

Sorry I do not have the link to the competition...it was weeks ago....it was a competition to win PINK concert tickets at the O2 in London.....may have been a link on Facebook but i cannot be sure of it. I have not entered any other competitions on internet or elsewhere such as magazines.

Not sure if it was this as my mother in law had same phone call earlier the same day (did not find out about this until today) and she doesnt enter any competitions so it is very puzzling how they get the information.

As yet no charge has gone onto my statement, however bank said it could take up to 3 days. I have requested that they put a cancellation on this...i did this immediately after their phone call.

Thanks again for the advice .. it is really useful to know that recording and playing back to 3rd parties is illegal under UK law....and will help in evidence against the company.

Keep up the good work of researching and bringing awareness of these scums of the earth.