The idea of joining a travel club and getting away to exotic locations at a discount price can be very alluring. But do your homework first or it could cost you. U.S. Postal Inspectors point to one example we can all learn from.
"They were asking for small fees to join their club and then they would discount vacations you would go on," said Inspector Alexander Sylvester.
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Sylvester is referring to Daryl Turner and Robyn Bernstein who ran Dreamworks Vacation Club.
"They would offer discounted airlines, free gas vouchers, and when the mail would arrive at the postal customer's house it would have the actual label of one of the major airlines and one of the major gas companies. It would look pretty legitimate," he explained.
The problem was nothing was legitimate.
"Once the customers would actually attempt to use the discounts they would not be available," said Sylvester.
Investigators say it started with the husband - wife duo team would hold seminars inside hotels coaxing consumers to join the club. Those gatherings were the beginning of the end of the scam.
"We actually had you know several postal inspectors sit through the actual pitch. We actually saw Mr. Turner's pitch from beginning to end, but we actually learned what he was promising and misrepresentations he was actually making," Sylvester explained.
More than 300 victims lost $3 million. Daryl Turner pleaded guilty to second degree theft by deception and was sentenced to seven years in state prison. His wife, Robyn Bernstein, also pleaded guilty to theft by deception and was sentenced to five years' probation. Turner was ordered to pay $2.6 million in restitution.
Some advice from postal inspectors to avoid a similar scam: Never make a decision while being pressured, take a night to sleep on it.
"Don't actually make the purchase right then and there. Think about it. Talk to other people, talk to friends. Then, if it seems like it's legitimate, then make the purchase from them," advised Sylvester.
The Federal Trade Commission offers additional advice to help you avoid travel scams. You'll find it at www.consumer.ftc.gov.