TIPS FOR TOUGH TIMES
Issue #52					Maryland Attorney General's Office
						Consumer Protection Division

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AVOIDING VACATION RIP-OFFS

* An Eldersburg couple paid nearly $3,000 for membership in a club that promised vacations in fabulous resorts at discounted prices. But when the couple tried to take their promised vacations, they learned upon arrival at the hotel that reservations had never been made for them. On another trip, when the club actually did arrange for lodging, the couple learned the resort rates were only half what their vacation club had charged them.
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	Almost everyone likes to get away once in awhile, to see new sites or just to relax. And many of us are used to planning trips and taking care of the details ourselves _ buying tickets, renting cars and making hotel reservations, for example. Or we might consult a local travel agent for help with those arrangements.
	But lately, you might have noticed your mailbox filling up with notices for chances to win free trips, or your phone ringing with offers of dream vacations and other prizes. You might be offered campground memberships or timeshares that you are told you can pay for now, and use forever. Or a travel club might offer the same sort of service: pay now, and never have to worry about paying for your vacations in the future. Before you sign up, beware: your dream vacation could turn into a consumer nightmare.
	Consumers can fall into dozens of traps when answering solicitations for free or inexpensive vacations, or pay-in-advance vacation plans. Many consumers who contact the Consumer Protection Division after signing up for vacation or travel clubs, timeshares or  campground memberships found they didn't get what they bargained for. They spent a lot of money for services they later found they didn't want or couldn't use, and then couldn't get their money back.

Common Complaints

*A consumer, complaining about a vacation club that didn't deliver the promised services, writes: "They used a high pressure sales pitch that sounded too good to be true. I was soon to find out it was."
	Many of the problems begin with unsolicited offers for prizes or free vacations. You might receive a postcard, letter or telephone call claiming you have won a valuable prize. Usually, this is followed by a high-pressure sales presentation that ends with an offer on a "great deal" that's available for one day only. The offer often involves purchasing a timeshare, or membership in a travel club or campground.
	Consumers who spent a lot of money on vacation packages often complain the promises made during the sales pitch did not match the services provided after the contract was signed. For example:
	* Consumers were not able to get vacation dates or locations requested. Some were never able to take the vacation they wanted.
	* They didn't receive promised savings because of added fees, dues and costs. Promised "discounts" weren't available. Some learned they could buy less expensive vacations on their own.
	* Some consumers found the accommodations to be very poor. In fact, some people found them to be so bad that they refused to stay in them and paid for other accommodations.
	* Consumers learned it is very difficult to sell their interest in vacations programs, which often do not have the value claimed during the sales pitch. Some consumers have never been able to sell their interest despite extensive efforts, including advertising and hiring agents.

Vacation prize scams

Vacation scams abound. Vacations and trips are often used to entice unsuspecting consumers to pay money for services, timeshares or campground memberships. They are often dangled in front of consumers as possible prizes, for which the consumer ends up paying money. If you receive an offer of a free vacation or trip, keep the following facts in mind:
	* Under Maryland law, it is illegal to make a consumer pay money or endure a sales pitch in order to receive a prize. If you win a prize, you must be given the prize with no strings attached.
	* You should never give out your credit card number or bank account routing numbers to anyone unless you initiate the transaction. A common scam is for a crook to tell a consumer he has won a prize and ask for his credit card number to hold the reservation, pay for taxes or some other associated charge. The crook then charges a large amount of money to your credit card.
	When you evaluate any offer for something that is supposedly free, or that offers huge, unbelievable savings, ask a lot of questions. Remember the wisdom of one consumer who learned too late: If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

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BEWARE OF TICKET SCAMS

* An Annapolis woman purchased a round-trip plane ticket for $1,325 from a travel agency she found through a newspaper advertisement. She received confirmation of her reservation and her ticket through the mail. When she arrived at the ticket counter at the scheduled time, the airline told her the ticket was no good and confiscated it. She had to purchase another ticket on the spot in order to take the flight.
	Most airline tickets are non-transferrable. While there is no specific federal regulation that prohibits reselling airline tickets, most airlines do not allow the tickets to be transferred to another person. The Federal Aviation Administration requires airlines to maintain an accurate accounting of passengers on its flights. Early in 1996, the FAA tightened security requirements for domestic flights. Most airlines now require passengers to present photo identification before boarding a plane.
	Since tickets generally are non-transferrable, if your ID does not match the name on the ticket, the airline is likely to confiscate the ticket. If you are considering purchasing an airline ticket from someone who has decided not to use the ticket, you should call the airline and check  whether it allows tickets to be transferred. It is unlikely, however.
	In addition, if you do not purchase your tickets directly from the airline, you should be sure the person selling you the ticket is an authorized agent of the airline. Ask if the person you are dealing with is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents or a certified member of a similar recognized agency. Many travel agents have their membership affiliations clearly posted where they do business.

May 1996. Tips for Tough Times is produced by the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office.
J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Attorney General
William Leibovici, Chief, Consumer Protection Division
Lucy Weisz, Deputy Chief, Consumer Protection Division
Jackie Ward, Editor
Andrea Cooper, Graphics

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Volunteers Needed

	Help consumers with problems, experience the workings of a law enforcement agency, and develop valuable skills by volunteering at the Consumer Protection Division's downtown Baltimore office as a:
* Consumer Affairs Mediator: Mediates consumer complaints against businesses and responds to consumer inquiries on the telephone hotline.
* Health Advocacy Mediator: Mediates consumer complaints against health care providers and responds to consumer inquiries on the telephone hotline.
* Legislative Aide/Consumer Advocate: Assists in conducting research, preparing reports on consumer issues, and monitoring state and federal legislation affecting consumers.
	Our office located in the heart of downtown Baltimore's fincancial district. The Light Rail and Baltimore Metro are close by. You'll find the Inner Harbor, museums, shopping, theaters, restaurants and other attractions within walking distance. Call Ann Brooke at 410-576-6550 to learn more about our opportunities for volunteers.

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HOW YOU CAN REACH US

Consumer Protection Division, Maryland Attorney General's Office
Downtown Baltimore
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202-2021

Complaints
* General: (410)528-8662 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., M-F)
* Health Education & Advocacy Unit: (410)528-1840 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F)
* D.C. Metro Area: (301)470-7534
* TDD for hearing impaired persons: (410)576-6372
Send written complaints to:
Consumer Protection Division
200 Saint Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

Branch Offices
* Cumberland
	(301)722-2000
	(9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 3rd Tues. of each month)
* Frederick
	(301)694-1071
	(9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2nd and 4th Thurs. of each month)
* Hagerstown
	(301)791-4780
	(8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
* Salisbury
	(410)543-6620
	(8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
