Beware of Birthday Travel Scam!
I check the mail today and am so excited because I receive this “Happy Birthday Julie” mailing. Thinking it was one of many free or discounted birthday offers that I’ve signed up for, I eagerly opened it to find:
First off, I’m wondering how they knew my birthday was coming up and then I noticed they mislead you to believe that you’re being offered something by an official airline, like U.S. Airways, which of course, they aren’t. Then they mention several other well-known brands like Marriott, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze. The little asterisk at the bottom informs me that “This promotion is not sponsored or affiliated with Marriott, or Darden Restaurants but they are a major supplier.” What the heck does this mean? And why in the world would Marriott or Darden Restaurants even want to associate their brand with a scam like this one?
It seems, after reading several stories all over the Internet, that one must attend a presentation for a travel club to claim these complimentary offers. Even though the office had already closed by the time I received this, I called anyway and got a message stating I had received the travel rewards department. I plan to follow up with another call on Monday, just to verify, but based on what others have written, I can imagine the outcome. And no, I won’t be attending any meetings to claim anything that is supposedly complimentary.
To entice me even more they included this sample travel itinerary:
I’m pretty jaded about these types of offers because I try to validate everything I list on FreeBirthdayTreats.com. However, after spending a bit of time online researching the company, which by the way is Millennium Travel, I found several postings on Ripoff Report of people who have been lured by false hope and promises.
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why businesses like this are allowed to continue offering promotions of this nature. Birthdays are not meant to be smeared with misleading offers of complimentary gifts. This recession has certainly tightened up the purse strings, but please be careful and don’t fall for this one!
There are thousands of businesses out there that offer legitimate birthday freebies and discounts. Just be sure to read the fine print or call to verify if necessary.
I have a slew of offers coming in for my birthday later this month and will be sure to share all of these in another post.
To find local businesses offering birthday discounts & freebies for adults, kids and pets, visit Free Birthday Treats.
I used to get this kind of scam letter saying you win a free trip to Phuket. Call this number XXX-XXXX to confirm the ticket. A lady picked up the call and tried to sell me a tour package. They have voice recording as evidence, if you say yes, your credit card will be deducted. This is horrible
Also, be aware of the emailed birthday certificates. Since I got into doing products for birthdays, I have gotten three within the past six months. You have to contact them to claim your prize. Don’t give out any Credit Card information if you do decide to check it out for yourself, like I did.
It’s amazing how many scams like this seem to be popping up during the recession. It’s like people lose their jobs and then try to rip someone off to make money.
Hard to believe what some people will resort to for a buck!
We got caught by the Millenium Travel Club scam. $100 down the drain!! I saw in Connecticut that an atty has filed a class-action lawsuit against them and the timeshare company. Any attys out there who want to file on our behalf?
They are still at it. I just received an offer “in honor of your birthday. Two free airline tickets, three days, 2 nights motel. Came with the same sample “Travel Ininerary”. Wants me to call within 48 hours to receive coupons from Olive Garden or Red Lobster, etc. Called spoke with rep. from “Royal Resort International”. They said it was promotion but I would have to travel about 2 hours away and meet with sales rep and give them $50 (for taxes). Schedule trip 90 days in advance. Tickets would arrive by mail two week before departure. Sounds like “time share” sale office I visited a few years ago in same area. Hope this helps someone!
I just received a “birthday offer” nearly idendical to Michael’s, except the enticement was “call within 48 hours for a free 7 day car rental.” Thank you for your webpage and your diligence! (On the bright side, I wouldn’t have known about all the birthday freebies online — I signed up for every free birthday ice cream coupon in town. Now let’s see if the ice cream binge is worth all the junk mail I’ll get… LOL!)
I just received a similar package. The phrase “FLY A US AIRLINES” has been modified with a small American flag so it looks like the US Airlines logo. I also received the travel itinerary sheet (marked “sample” in small letters).
Amazing what some people are willing to do to make a dime.
Thanks for posting this web page!
My birthday is this month and I received the sample ticket and the invatation Two Roundtrip Airfares Within the Continental U.S. ! Call 1-888-472-8026 Monday-Saturday 8:am -7:30 pm if within 48 hours you will receive a complimentary 7 day car Rental from Thrifty Car Rental…No return address and a line stating WE’VE BEEN GOING CRAZY TRYING TO CONTACT YOU !
I felt it was a scam and decided to research it and found one of the companys name is Mellennium Travel and is involved in the State of Connecticut with a class action lawsuite.
Another notice has it is a Time Share Company that will milk you for money. Never Never give the personal information or a credit card on line. The other thing it had of interest on the back of the check was an address in the same complex as my past employer, it said Ultimate Vacations 125 E Baker Street suite 120 Costa Mesa CA 92626 Travel provider is a California Registered seller of travel. Call for details some restrictrions apply… I wonder if this company moved its location to this address ???
Thankyou for helping keep people informed of these mail and computer SCAMS…..