By that point, Attorney General Martha Coakley had already obtained temporary restraining orders against alleged scammers who were doing business in Massachusetts under the names Outrigger Vacation Club, Fantasia Travel Group and Only Way 2 Go Travel (the operators of these “companies” didn’t return any of my calls, a telling sign that things probably aren’t on the up-and-up).
Coakley’s complaint alleges that Outrigger, affiliates and principals would host sales pitches in Plymouth and Methuen to sell Outrigger memberships. Consumers were lured in the door with the promise of free airline tickets or gift cards. They were then told they could get a great price on a lifetime membership in this travel club if they acted right away. But many people never received anything of value for the thousands of dollars they paid.
The operators’ high-pressure tactics apparently worked: About 75 people complained to the AG that they lost money before Coakley filed charges on July 1. Another 65 have complained since that date, largely because of the ensuing publicity. Coakley is still looking for more complaints (the AG’s consumer hotline is 617-727-8400).
Coakley is trying to seize the operators’ assets to build a restitution fund. Lawyers in Coakley’s staff are slated to go to Suffolk Superior Court on July 22 in an effort to convert a temporary restraining order against the operators to a longer-lasting preliminary injunction.
However, a spokeswoman for Coakley tells me the AG’s actions will only directly help those who lost money from a sales pitch that took place in Massachusetts. That’s why the sales pitches could be continuing in other states (such as Connecticut) despite the court actions here.
Obviously, this whole episode is an unfortunate reminder that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When a salesperson tells you that you need to decide on the spot to get a deal, the pitch may still be legitimate. But the tactic is shifty enough that you may want to take your business elsewhere.
Coakley’s complaint alleges that Outrigger, affiliates and principals would host sales pitches in Plymouth and Methuen to sell Outrigger memberships. Consumers were lured in the door with the promise of free airline tickets or gift cards. They were then told they could get a great price on a lifetime membership in this travel club if they acted right away. But many people never received anything of value for the thousands of dollars they paid.
The operators’ high-pressure tactics apparently worked: About 75 people complained to the AG that they lost money before Coakley filed charges on July 1. Another 65 have complained since that date, largely because of the ensuing publicity. Coakley is still looking for more complaints (the AG’s consumer hotline is 617-727-8400).
Coakley is trying to seize the operators’ assets to build a restitution fund. Lawyers in Coakley’s staff are slated to go to Suffolk Superior Court on July 22 in an effort to convert a temporary restraining order against the operators to a longer-lasting preliminary injunction.
However, a spokeswoman for Coakley tells me the AG’s actions will only directly help those who lost money from a sales pitch that took place in Massachusetts. That’s why the sales pitches could be continuing in other states (such as Connecticut) despite the court actions here.
Obviously, this whole episode is an unfortunate reminder that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When a salesperson tells you that you need to decide on the spot to get a deal, the pitch may still be legitimate. But the tactic is shifty enough that you may want to take your business elsewhere.
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