I received this letter in the mail today. Normally any and all junk mail goes straight into the recycling bin (except for credit card stuff which gets shredded), but it was hand addressed so I assumed it was a Christmas card and I opened it. This strange letter from a 'marketing firm' in Georgia just screamed S-C-A-M!I recently heard a talk on ID theft, and the 'you've won a (insert tempting travel offer here)' is a pretty typical scam designed to entice curious recipients to call to claim their prize. Upon calling, they're asked for a credit card number to secure their travel arrangements. So, I decided I should do some investigating and talk to the person/people who sent this letter.
First things first, I googled the company, and (of course) found zilch. Next I called the 1-800 number listed on the letter. A guy answered by saying "Howard and John..uh, sorry, Sansford and Jordan." (Nice. Having trouble remembering the name of your 'business' bud?) Then I told him I had gotten a letter about a cruise and asked him how they had gotten my name and address. He said, "well, have you traveled in the past couple years? 'Cause you know they got a list for everthin' these days!'" (Assuming I had been legitimately inquiring in order to claim my 'prize' this would not have been a very heartwarming response - I mean, you're giving away a cruise to someone from a random list of travelers that lives two states away?? For what possible reason?!?) Anyway, I politely told him I wasn't interested and asked him to remove my name from the list and he said "ok, done." I asked him if he needed to take my name in order to remove it from the list, and he was like "oh, well, no, um, I got it right here." and quickly hung up.
I'm absolutely kicking myself because I should have totally played along a little more to see if he asked for a credit card number and then reported it. But I didn't, so instead I'm posting this hoping that if anyone else searches this 'company' on google, they'll hit this post and be wary.
UPDATE 1/2/2009:
Glad to know this post worked to make other folks wary. The 'company' is not trying to steal any info from unsuspecting recipients of its (poorly fabricated) letter, but they are trying to suck you into buying a timeshare. They haven't done anything illegal (that I'm aware of) so feel free to complain about the annoyance, but as annoying as stunts like this are, I don't think the letter is a reportable offense.
Happy New Year!
237 comments:
1 – 200 of 237 Newer› Newest»Thanks so much for posting this. I got suspicious when I could not find them on google either! The letter looks so professional! I think I am going to call them either tomorrow or Monday to see if they are scammers. I'll post another comment with what I find.
Also... mine was for free airfare round trip in the contintal US. Not a cruise. Interesting.
Your conversations was brief but hilarious. "Ok, done." LOL
Thanks. I also received the letter from Sansford & Jordan: "... you have been selected to receive (2) Roundtrip Airfare." The first red flag is the poor use of grammar. There are several other hints too.
Could you please correct the spelling in the title of your blog entry? (You added a T in there by accident.)
I'm taking this letter with me when I go to the post office tomorrow.
PJL Tempe, AZ
Corrected the title - thanks for pointing that out!
bizarre...nice super sleuth work, though :)
We received the same letter here in Houston TX. They do not show up in the BBB and for a "Marketing" company to not be on the web?
We also got the letter about 2 airfares. I googled your site, but decided to phone to also see what they said. I was suspicious that it was for a timeshare or similar offer. Sure enough, they said the offer was to visit Vacation Network here in Las Vegas, attend a presentation, and pay $50 for "taxes" per person for the airline tickets.
If legitimate, I would do this, since we are smart/hardy/stubborn enough to not buy even the most hard-sell timeshare type presentation (however, I warn you, most people are not able to resist these super-sales pitches!). However, on googling "Vacation Network." I found tons of complaints for what sounded like the same company (or Global Vacation Network) in Georgia. That company also offered "free" airfare.
In short, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. So we won't be going to this one.
Legitimate timeshare sales presentations here in Las Vegas are plentiful, and usually give out something on the order of a free show, free buffet, and perhaps as much as $100 in casino chips (use once, worth $50). Total value about $100 to $150.
So 2 roundtrip airfares worth more like $800-1000 for a really long trip, sounds too good to be true.
I too received this scam, (Im in Houston) and mine is exactly the same one you have here on the website...5 day cruise and all. First of all, there is no physical address..red flag! Secondly, the "signature" is a copy. And lastly , "this is our last attempt"...umm, I dont recall any other attempts, and of course nothing at all on google, etc. I hope no one falls for this crap. If I ever did win a real prize in my life, It would prob end up in the trash with all the rest of this stuff!
Thanks I just got the questionable letter today and of course...googled it asap.
Thank you so much for your initial post. I live in Las Vegas, so I guess the time share pitch would be a bit worthless! Clever on their part to do the stamp and hand-written envelope, though.
I am SO glad you posted this on your Web site! Got one today (I'm in Arizona) and opened it because it was hand written and I was thinking it was from friend. Tada, you have won two free round trip ticket anywhere in the U.S. SURE RIGHT! Well I googled them and up popped your link. Good on ya girl, Thanks!
BTW Love the family photo, only thing in life that matters! :-)
Hello, I just got the same letter in the mail today and I'm glad that I found your blog! Is there a number where you can report this kind of thing?
Got this letter today for (2) Roundtrip Airfare. Thanks for the post.
Yup, a google of the address shows a bit more...
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/236/RipOff0236045.htm
Oops, scammers.
You also find VNI here..
http://www.vacationnetworkinc.com/about/contact.php
Note the address has now moved, but the cached google page shows the letter's scam address.
Thank you for blogging this, and thank you google for making it easier to root out these con artists
Received the same letter for two round trip tickets and the dopes couldn't even spell my husband's name correctly. Could be the same folks who called us a few months back claiming we filled out some entry to win a free trip and needed to come listen to some time share presentation on the strip. (We live in Vegas) When I told him we never did that the guy was very argumentative and immature. I was trying to have a rational conversation and he declared he was wasting his time and hung up. Thanks for posting this. Have a great holiday!
My husband recieved a letter from Sansford and Jordan, that he won 2 airline tickets, there is no such prize. its a total scam. hope that no one gets caught in this scam
cave creek, AZ
I also got this letter yesterday in Arizona for free airfare. I knew it was a scam from the start. I just went online to verify it before I shredded it or went to to the BBB or FCC/FTC. Good site here to hopefully let others know so they don't get scammed.
Hey great! I got the same letter yesterday (12/22) offering 2 round trip airfares as well. The letter claimed they had tried to contact me "several times without success". What a joke! I also live in Vegas.
Thanks for posting this and helping to make people aware of this BS. Don't fall for it.
Michael - Las Vegas.
I too live in Vegas and received the same letter yesterday stating I had won 2 free airline tickets and they had been trying to reach me. When I first read it I did as everyone else did; I googled them and of course nothing came up. Isn't the computer age great?
I'm from Cave Creek Az and received the letter today 'winning 2 free airline tickets....'. Obvious scam. Would love to find out who sold our names and addresses so that I could boycott that 'business' too!
Thanks for the blog as it was the only hit I got when I googled 'Sansford & Jordan'.
Same story down here in Phoenix. Thanks everyone! Merry, Happy, Blessed Whatever to all !
Got this letter yesterday in my mailbox in Vegas.
My first clue was the stamped signature on the letter...oh, and the fact that it was sent to my 76 year old mother. She is not exactly a world traveler signing up for trips and such. Found your blog when I looked for their website. Completely bogus stuff!!
I just received this letter last night in Henderson, NV as well.. really appreciate the heads up!! Thanks!
Got the 2 free airfare letter today here in Birmingham with an Augusta postmark. Signature was done with an inkjet as the fringe of letters is a different color. Funny how they have tried to contact me when I'm retired and seldom leave the house!
Is the heading on your site supposed to have extraodinary spelled extraordinary?
Just got one of these letters yesterday. I ,too live in Birmingham, Al. My husband thought it was going to be a Christmas card from one of our nieces or nephews because of the horible penmanship on the envelope. I immediately googled the company name after I opened the letter. Your blog was the very first result. Thank you so much for posting it. I just hate that these creeps now have my home address. It's bad enough with all the junk email!
I GOT ONE TO!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a friggin' joke. Glad I googled "Sansford & Jordan" to see these other posts. Good work folks...SCAMAROONI!!!!!!!!
Thanks for blogs like these. I received my offer the day before Christmas and they wanted me to call by December 26. I also live in Houston and they offered a 5-Day and 4-Night cruise out of Galveston, Texas. I say let the alternate recipient have my voucher.
I received my letter saying I had been selected to receive 2 roundtrip airfare tickets with a value up to $1,400.
I live in Birmingham, Al. My plan is to throw the letter in my circular file.
ew
I too received a letter offering 2 plane tickets with a value up to $1400 and I called my husband who told me it was a scam, so I googled it and couldn't find anything. Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you for posting this blog. I just got the same letter today. I am also in Houston. I got on the internet to google them and up popped your website! I guess Houstonians are not as stupid as these people would like us to be!
I live in Vegas and got the same offer. Wow, how lucky am I to have won two free tickets!! These fools wasted a stamp.
Anyway, the letter has bad grammar, no physical address and the envelope looks like it was addressed by my eight year old grandson.
Thanks for the initial post, you did a great service.
Thank you so much I just got one of these today as well. and I of course googled it, You Rock!! I hope you had a great Christmas, and have a fabulous New Year!
We received the letter today in Alabama. It offered "(2) Roundtrip Airfare" for up to $1,400.00. I immediately googled and found your site. My friend recently received something similar. It was from a different "company" that was also in Georgia. Thanks for posting this. I hope everyone that gets it does the same.
I just got mine too. Of course, i wanted to know who this company was and why I would have been entered to win anything. What a joke! I just hope there is nothing that they can use of my information. Also, I hope someone in Evans, GA will stand will stand outside the P.O. and watch for the scammers who are getting mail from box # 189, Evans, GA 30809!
Be careful everyone. Thanks for posting this.
Another report from Phoenix! According to 'Rip-Off Report', this company has been doing business as 'VNI Vacations' with the exact same address.
Maybe they're targeting AZ because they think we'll fall for this scam? I feel insulted...
Thanks so much for blogging about this...Happy New Year!
I'm in AZ, too, and just received the letter yesterday about my free roundtrip air fare for two to anywhere in the U.S. A $1,400 value. Yes, SCAM was written all over it, especially the part that requested me to reply if I chose "not" to take the offer, so they could offer it to someone else. LOL. I googled the firm and, of course, found nothing...but I did find your blog. I'm always skeptical of people wanting to give things away for no reason. But I am curious about how they got my name. It's apparent here, that many in AZ were on the list. I think we should report it to our local news station and see what happens. Thanks for posting about it on your blog.
I got this letter too! 2 rd trip air tickets anywhere in US. Arizona must be hot for marketers these days! Come on are we that easy? Hope no one falls for this. Thanks for taking the time to post the info.
I got this letter too. I am in Houston. They are offering Galveston cruise trip for two. Thanks for the blog, yours was the first hit.
I too received this letter, but for 2 free airline tickets. I was about to call and my wise husband said to google the Co. first. Then I landed on this sight. Glad I did!
Thanks:)
I'm in B'ham, AL, and got this letter also. Thanks to Grace, I googled them and came to your blog... Thanks much for taking the time to create a blog. This letter is going straight into recycle bin!!
Got one in Phoenix today. Same stupid letter. I'm filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. I encourage everyone else to do the same.
www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
Recieved one in Phoenix, AZ. as well. When I called, the lady asked for my credit card number so I could pay her $50. in taxes per ticket. When I asked where she got my name, she said from "Travel World." She also stated I had traveled in the past 12 months, so she gets a list of people who have done so, so that her company can offer them these tickets. I advised her that I have not traveled in over 3 years, and she said "Well....ohh!"
This is a scam, and screams scam the second you open the letter. The letter looks like it is printed right off of a computer and not professional!!! Like the person said above, leave a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and once you go to theyre website, theyre is a link for a consumer complain! Please do so!!!
Got this letter a couple of days ago. I did recieve a call about a month ago saying a won two round trip tickets and then I got the letter. I live in Scottsdale, AZ. When it is too good to be true it usually is. Thanks for letting us know.
i received a letter for two free round trip tickets. I knew it was a scam. Do I turn it into authorities?
Thanks for posting, got the letter in Houston, TX and came across this when I googled it. Looks like it was written by one of the Nigerians who write those emails about 25 million pounds in a bank account that only I can help claim!
Just received the same letter today in the mail. I live in Chandler, AZ. What we need is one of those telemarketer autodialers to continuously call the 800 number listed on the letter. That way we harass the guilty party and tie up the line while this scam attempts to take advantage of the unsuspecting in AZ, NV, TX. Give the fools a taste of their own sick medicine.
--TRW
Hey! I just got "The Letter" in the mail and after Googling the company name and came upon your Blog. So being the Booger that I am I called and announced to Brent who answered the phone that he had just one two tickets to Seattle Washington, he said, GREAT! I said, let me just get alittle information so we can send you your tickets! He said, OK! I said Your last name please, the response came... Terry; I said your home address please, there was a pause and he said (LOL), you're good! (with a down home sothern accent). Brent Terry asked if there was any information I desired from him? I said no, but YA'LL Have a Happy New Year! Brent Terry was LOL as I hung up and had a good chuckle myself!
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I received the letter as well, in Surprise, AZ. Interesting note: The letter is dated December 21, and said that "We have attempted to contact you several times without success. This is our last attempt." Also said that the last chance we could respond was two days ago.
Nicely done, Sansford & Jordan. I'm thankful this blog was the first thing that popped up when I did a search for this highly suspicious company.
We, too, are in Las Vegas and received the exact same letter. Thank you very much for posting this blog as when I googled the Sansford name on the letter, your site popped up and confirmed my suspicions. I love my shredder!
Just received this letter today, in Houston, TX. Thanks for the info. Found you through google.
I live in Las Vegas and got the letter today, googled the company and found your site. Thank you so much for the info and heads up! I wanna know how'd they get my name and address? I too thought it was a Christmas card because it was hand written, so I opened it.
I too just received The Letter in the mail. I live in Las Vegas as well. Upon first glance, it seems pretty real until you realize that the letter is a color photocopy of letterhead and not even aligned properly. It was addressed to my husband who never enters any sweepstakes or giveaways, which immediately made me suspicious. I love the FTC website because they make it crazy easy to file a complaint, which I did and urge others to do.
Long time Las Vegas resident here, received the '2 free airfares' letter today. I'm really wondering where they bought their mailing list. The only thing out of the ordinary we've done lately is buy airline tickets from Priceline, so I'm suspecting that. Anyone else use Priceline lately?
I just received this letter today. I booked a trip several months ago on Orbitz. Maybe they are cross-referencing with Las Vegas residents since that's where I live and so do a good percentage of people who have commented. Thanks for the info.
what scammers have the time to hand write all these envelopes? I shredded this one immediatly. Don't need to get scammed into potentially "2 free airline tickets"
Got the letter today in Houston and found your post. I figured it was a scam or at least something of ill repute.
Just got a letter today for my 2 free airline tickets. I had to respond by Jan 3rd but the letter was not postmarked until Jan 5th. Boy did I miss out on a great opportunity... I mean scam. O yeah I live in Las Vegas too!
Another person from Las Vegas who received the letter. I knew it was junk but I decided to Google the company name & found your blog. Thanks for posting!
I'm another Las Vegan.
I wonder how many people actually fall for this scam. I also wonder why they're targeting so many people in Las Vegas where the time-share presentation purportedly takes place. Aha ... Maybe it's so they don't have to issue any roundtrip air tickets to the locals who get sucked into attending!
I received the letter from Sansford & Jordan on 1/10/09. Should we call and asked to be removed from their list and give them an earful????
Mad in B'ham, AL
I got a letter today from p. o. box 189 evans, georgia 30809. Thanks for the "heads-up". I am spreading the word to my friends...beware of this scammer.
I received the letter today and came across this post first so I read through all the comments... but still decided to call just to see who I could make mad on the other end. So the phone rings about 5 times and a man picks up and says "Hi this is Kelly"... I ask "Excuse me? What was your name?" He says "Kelly".. I say "Okay Kelly, and where exactly am I calling?" He says "Hold on".. next thing I know COPD Carmen picks up hacking up a lung. I ask Carmen where Kelly went. She says "Oh um well you know..he had to run off to a meeting. He never really picks up the phone". This lady was a moron. I asked her to take me off her list and she like a previous poster said said "Okay". I'm like "Don't you need my name?" She's like "Oh um.. CLICK." Fabulous!
I received the letter today. I live in Vegas. I once went to a home show in Vegas where I entered a sweepstakes to win a car or something. Later I received many phone calls/letters saying that I won various things, but I had to go watch a timeshare presentation. I'm not sure if this is related to that, but it seems similar. Not sure why a person living in Vegas would want a timeshare here. Thanks for posting. It was the first thing that came up on google!
Thanks for posting.
We're in Houston and my wife received her letter today. She has a first name that could be mistaken for a male so of course it was addressed to Mr. I only wish we had gotten this before we booked our cruise out of Galveston.
LOL
Thanks for posting
Thanks for the post. I received the offer yesterday in Houston but I never take these things seriously. My first action is to google the subject and of course located your blog. They are not doing anything illegal but I wish there could be something done to stop this type of questionable business practice.
Got one today in Phoenix, AZ. I add my thanks to you for creating and google for making it easy to root out. I'm AMAZED and proud of how many of us have reported on this blog. Way to go, public Education on scams and phishing!
I recieved a letter of like nature, here in AZ, today. I immediately googled the name and voila this blog popped up at the top of the list. I was glad to see other diligent people out there looking out for one another!
Got this in Chandler, AZ. Stamp signed :) by 'Claire Mason' of 'Travel Awards Division'. Also funny is that there is note on top to create some urgency that says 'NOTE: You must respond no later than January 3, 2009', but the stamp on the envelope from Georgia is January 5, 2009. OH MY GOD, I am so late... and I am going to lose my 2 free air tickets!!!!!
Well I speak from experience, these tickets, never are free. They WILL make you jump through hoops and pay lots of FEES & TAXES that will make you spend just as much as if you bought them yourself, plus you will be at their mercy on dates. Most of these you will pay some of the fees and while you will get tired of jumping through the hoops such as "send us a registered letter, cashiers check, if not signed you lose your money" etc. that you will give up your month/weeks of frustration and lose your hard earned money on the fees. DON'T DO IT and warn your friends, please!
Mesa, AZ - just got "The Letter" today. Curious (because the address was hand-written), I opened it. Two FREE roundtrip airfares? Must be my lucky day!! Maybe I should go buy a Powerball ticket while I'm in the groove! Nah, maybe I should just Google the company first - voila! Thanks for the heads up, and saving me a buck on a lottery ticket!
Thanks for your post. I googled this company because of their statement "we have attempted to contact you several times without success. this is our last attempt."
I knew this was a scam and hope no one falls for this. Thanks for the information I found here.
Thanks so much! Got the letter yesterday as well - Mesa, AZ. Gotta love Google! I hope everyone who gets a letter thinks to check it out and sees this blog! Thanks again!
Glad I googled this bunch. Got the same letter. I live in Vegas and also work in timeshare sales for a large company. We would never use such an obvious scam as this, and neither would any other responsible timeshare company. Timeshare can be great, but stay away from any company that is so desperate as to lie to people. Thanks for the blog.
I received the same letter today, hand written envelope and all. $1,400.00 in 2 free wirline tickets. Yeah right, and some swamp land in Flordia too.... Thanx for the post, letter is in the trash!!!
From Las vegas!!!
Here's the details on who runs the website for this outfit. Paula Rutland is the person to contact, day or night, and whose address and e-mail should be shared with everyone.
Please make sure not to waste her time though... she's busy selling timeshares. And please don't share her phone # or e-mail with anyone sending loads of spam or with 12 lines set to auto-dial every 60 seconds. That would be annoying!
Domain Name.......... vacationnetworkinc.com
Organisation Name.... Vacation Network Inc.
Organisation Address. P.O. Box 14865
Organisation Address. _
Organisation Address. Augusta
Organisation Address. 30919
Organisation Address. GA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES
Admin Name........... Paula Rutland
Admin Address........ P.O. Box 14865
Admin Address........ _
Admin Address........ Augusta
Admin Address........ 30919
Admin Address........ GA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
Admin Email.......... ckipnis@vrsvacations.com
Admin Phone.......... +1.7068601120
I got this letter today, too. It was for the airfare and it was on such flimsy paper.
Let's send our letters back to Paula, she might need a vacation or Roundtrip Airefare. :)
I too just got this - Tempe, AZ. I was highly suspicious because they claim to have attempted to contact me several times without success.. But I only moved here a few months ago! I do tend to enter sweepstakes, but not for travel, and only through places I trust not to sell information (like entering for the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway).
I just want to know who they are paying to handwrite all these envelopes - do they really think they are working for a real company? Or do they go through temp-agencies all the time?
Obviously, enough 'poor' souls have fallen far enough for this groups (enterprises) to pay for their: 'make money at home addressing envelopes' scams! I got my '(2) Roundtip Airfare' in Boulder City. Thank Goodness we can 'check' these 'scams' out thru Google! Markus
Seems they are targeting western states. I am in AZ and received hand addressed letter today stating I was selected to receive two roundtrip airfares. Interesting, to say the least! I will not respond.
Isn't the internet great. I live in Vegas, just got it in the mail today. Hand written always makes you look twice at least, as if I had some friend I didn't know about from Augusta, GA sending me a nice letter. When I opened it, it immediately had to be a scam, but being curious I typed in "sansford & jordan" and this site is the first that pops up. Hope anyone else that gets this does the same as I did and takes 10 seconds to check the computer.
Got one from "Claire Mason" of Sansford & Jordan, Evans, GA, to Tempe, AZ, with the same handwritten address, no outside return address, inside return address of PO Box 189, phone number 877-878-3956, and saying that I was selected to receive two roundtrip airfares worth $1400. Thank you for your very helpful blog post and the comments it gathered! (And hurray for Google!) Mike
Thanks for the info, got this letter here in Vegas also!
Got home from work yesterday - my wife handed me an envelope addressed to me by my never-used formal name, written in teenaged-girly script, no return address. Wife waits with hands on hips, tapping one foot (just like the movies!) while I open it. I glance over the letter and give it my biggest smile and announce "she loves me!" Wife snatches letter from my hands and looks perplexed. "Is this a scam?" she asks; I tell her in forty years of genealogical research I have never once seen the surname "Sansford." Fake signature line (Claire Mason) and the insistence that I call to decline my "prize" even though this is the "last attempt" to contact me -- yes dear, scam. And I love you, dear, for flashing jealous over an unknown girl's handwriting, even if you were only pretending. :D From digesting the comments on this blog, the letters seem to be concentrated in the Vegas, Houston, Phoenix, and Birmingham areas (I'm the latter). I have never used an online travel agency (or travel agency at all, for that matter). My formal name is reserved for things like bank statements and tax filings... and I doubt the IRS is selling mailing lists, which points me back to my bank. From their website: Compass Bank is a Sunbelt-based financial institution which operates 420 full-service banking centers including 166 in Texas, 90 in Alabama, 76 in Arizona, 44 in Florida, 33 in Colorado and 11 in New Mexico. So, with the exception of Vegas, my bank's distribution overlaps very nicely with the targeted areas. If future posters have also done business with Compass I hope they will indicate so and if it turns out that Compass is selling client information to *scammers* I will be moving my business to a local private bank. Thanks to everyone who has posted - and thanks to the young lass who put a smile on the face of this greying old man.
.... Got the same stupid letter as well. I am in Vegas and recieved it on friday. Dirty SOB's I think it the finance companies selling our personal information i.e. credit cards, car loan or mortage....I with Bank of America but dont think they are doing it. Time for Life Lock.
Hi...great to see that we can now find information on these scammers...a good way to harass them back at their own game is to cut your name, address and confirmation number out of the letter you received, print a copy of some of the comments from this website or write on it how you feel, and mail it back, handwritten of course!!! It won't stop them, but perhaps it will slow them down answering all the crap mail. Stick together...fight scammers!!!
Have received the same letter from these fools, both as "Sansford and Jordan" and "Colbert and Johnson". I was blessed to receive two letters because I had moved recently, one went to the old address and the other to the new address.
They have sent the same letter, (with perhaps a word or two changed) under several different business names over the past several months to dozens of people in the Southwest. ABC 15 in Phoenix opened and investigation on them as well and aired a report.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to understand that any entity that needs to disguise their identity under a lawyerly sounding name doesn't have your best interests at heart.
Take a look at these links:
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/6029045783
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/4803745756
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/4809073987
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/4803745762
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8665853901
I live in Houston, TX and received the same letter in the mail yesterday. I found your blog when googling the company name. I would like to thank you for posting this blog.
I received a letter dated January 14, 2009 offering two airline tickets. It read the same as the others. Out of curiosity, I called and the woman who answered said that they were marketing for Vacation Network and that we would have to sit through a 60 minute presentation in Glendale, AZ and pay the taxes. I read that someone else who received this letter has done business with Compass Bank. We had a car loan through them a few years back. If this could be traced to them, I wonder if anyone could prove that any privacy laws had been broken.
Another letter in Birmingham but not a customer of Compass Bank. I would like to thank all for their postings. Now I do not have to waste my time on a scam!
THANKS A BUNCH FOR THIS INFORMATION!! YOU SAVED ME A HEADACHE. USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT REALLY IS. REMEMBER NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE!!! THANKS AGAIN
Just received the same letter (cruise option) in Houston, TX. Thanks for your post!
Howdy. I got the letter today in Birmingham, Alabama. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks to everyone posting about this letter. It was sent to me today and now I will shred it!
CJ-Scottsdale, AZ
Well..I am in McCalla, Alabama and I got one today. I feel so honored!! ;)
WOW!!! This kind of thing still happens this often?!?!? I guess I should know, being that I am a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist. I am still considering calling just to see what their process is.
To all of those out there who have gotten this letter or will be receiving it shortly, as mine just came in the mail 1/26/09, definitely make sure you file with the FTC. Do not give credit to the company who sent it by calling them.
Since I have worked closely with several of the local news stations here in Las Vegas, I am going to be sending them a copy of the links and this blog, maybe they will alert our area about this ongoing scam. I suggest you do it in your area as well. If you need any help in getting this information out to your news stations, let me know, I'd be happy to assist.
And to the individual earlier who mentioned LifeLock, Great Idea, but LifeLock won't help in this situation, unless you actually give them financial information.
That's why I'm glad I'm covered by Kroll Background America and The Identity Theft Shield. For those interested, check it out at:
www.IDTheftProTec.com
Great due diligence for everyone on here!!
Damon
I guess those "work at home and make a fortune" people are busy with the envelopes! Mine found me in Fountain Hills, AZ. Love the comments! DB
I appreciate your warning. I called, they want you to come in to a presentation in 1 of 5 area's. NO PERSONAL INFO REQUIRED, they do want your business. I did my research on Vacation Network Inc. They have been in business since 2000. They do have a lot of complaints, but all the complaints are about free airfare. One question? who ever said the airfare was FREE!. They tell you in the beginning of there little pitch you have to pay $50 each. All i'm saying is just be smart. If you want air or a cruise call them and don't give them any info you do not want to. They are just like anybody else, trying to make a buck! Saying they are a Scam, without finding out if they really have all these complaints about free airfare(that they never say is free) and are still in business somehow just doesn't make any sense. So, just be smart. Please don't be the type that preaches about global warming, driving your SUV, smoking cigarettes with all your lights in your house on.
Hi there - just got the letter in AZ yesterday as well. Just called out of curiosity. The woman was very pleasant and identified herself as taking the call on behalf of Vacation Network. She said that in order to receive the "free" airfare (minus the cost of tax), that I - and my significant other (and if I didn't have a SO, I could come by myself if I was single...hahah) needed to make an appointment to attend a one hour meeting. She said it had nothing to do with a timeshare...I asked her to remove my name from the list - she asked for the first and last although I had given her my confirmation number and I imagine she already had it - and she was very nice. Probably a scam...
Hello All - Thanks for posting the info - just confirms (by a factor of 1,000 or so) my initial hunch that this was a scam. We live in Glendale AZ and don't do timeshares. However while on vacation in CA last summer (2008) we did accept the offer to listen to a timeshare presentation in exchange for a dinner cruise (that we had decided on going to anyway). The sales pitch was pretty intense but we stood our ground and got the comp. meal just as they promised. Had to give an e-mail address as part of the "sign-up" process. Thankfully I keep a valid, working e-mail address that I use just for such occasions. After that this e-mail account has been flooded with all manner of time share offers. My guess is that they have sold our names and this e-mail address to a mass marketing firm, which in turn sold it to these scammers. Your site (by allowing all my fellow "winners / victims" to post)has confirmed my hunch. Thanks for the validation.
Greg in Glendale
I live in Las Vegas and received the letter today for 2 Roundtrip Airfare. Thank you for posting this on your website...it is very scary to me on how these people got my information.
I just received this letter today and immediately without opening the envelope there was a stamp vs a postage meteor stamp like businesses have. Two no return address. Open it companies have website url listed somewhere on their letterhead. It was just screaming throw me away. You have to ask yourself did I enter a sweepstake, no so basically after trying to Google them they did not even come up once in the autofill after the whole name was typed. This is a sad and ignorant situation. The time they spent to do this they could have grown a brain and did it the right way.They will be coming off 1400 for the cost of stamps they poorly place on these cheap envelopes. Thanks again for the letter being posted it is identical to all of ours I'm sure.
I just got back from my vacation to Hawaii courtesy of Sansford & Jordan. Thanks Claire Mason of the Travel Awards DIvision -- I owe you!! Just kidding... thanks for blogs. I doubt I would have called them since the BS-meter was going off. If only they could put their time and energy to better purposes rather than trying to rip people off.
It seems it would be unlawful to collect federal transportation taxes ( for airline tickets) and to not pay those tases, and worse to use the phone (telecommunications violation) to fraudulently collect those tax payments.
Where are the feds when you need them?
That's really strange. I got my mail a couple of days ago and I got the same letter. My address was hand written. Very sloppy but I was curious. I opened it and the letter was stating that I had won 2 roundtrip airfare tickets anywhere in the U.S. I thought this was perfect timing because I am planning a trip in May. I was just curious about the company so I started googling it. Surprise, I only found sites complaining that it is a scam. So thank you before I gave out any personal information.
I greatly appreciate this post. Got this letter in the mail tonight and it seemed very suspicious! Thanks for confirming for me! :)
well I just received my letter, and yes it screamed BS. I searched google and found a 1000 of my newest friends that have also received the same letter. Of course being a travel agent, I know that there is no way that they could be making a living giving away cruises without selling something that they would make enough money off of to buy the cruise.
I received this letter over the weekend (1/31/09) here in Las Vegas, stating that I had been selected to received two Roundtrip Airfares.My first red flag was, the hand writing on the envelope is horrible.It looks as if a child wrote it. I went right to google and found this blog. Thank you so much for starting this. It pisses me off that these jerks have my name and home address. I guess the idiots didn’t count on people being smart enough to do some research first.Thanks again for making people aware of this scam.
I recieved the letter today in Arizona and like most of you decided to do some research. They told me that I can get free airline tickets and the gal told me that they got my address from the airlines - as if... come on!! I honestly thought it was a bill collector - ha! Anyway, glad to see that others are dealing with this!
I received this email today and I live in Las Vegas. Thank you for blogging.
We got the letter today in Bham Al for "2 roundtrip airfare". I also was wondering where they got our name, we do use Compass bank.
I live in Las Vegas and received a similar letter the other day, for airline tickets, not a cruise. It took me about 0.1 seconds to spot this as a scam so I started Googling for info- I came across you blog about the same company. I am submitting the letter/envelope to the Postmaster General for mail fraud.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&q=4400+Columbia+Road,+Martinez+GA+30907&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=m2yLSe-_K4HwsAOh1-GkBQ&ll=33.508391,-82.134433&spn=0.008337,0.017917&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=33.507585,-82.134496&panoid=rlJ6DdcdUGQPpXjFdndaYw&cbp=12,65.74302725786413,,0,5
street view of the address of the scammer company!! It looks like a rural residential area!
Thanks for posting about your letter, I got one too... I'm from Birmingham, AL
Everywhere I look there is something about this company...
Where are they getting our names from. I filed a complaint with RIPOFF REPORT ALSO. I think I will file a report with the Attorney General. Hope this will stop people like them.
ps
Birmingham, AL - I received this letter also. Of course I googled it and found your site. I wonder how many people have fallen for this scam. Oh well, thanks for the heads-up. BTW, your son is addorable. (My little one has the same learning table. Keeps him busy for hours)
Thanks again.
Got the same letter just today, thankfully I never respond to any of these scam letters or phone calls recv'd..too good to be true, it is! However, this is getting ridiculous..and it needs to stop..How do we stop it? Any ideas?Thanks!:)~
Let me jump on the train...got my letter for (2) Roundtrip Airfare. Came in a plain envelope with my address handwritten. Thanks for the warning. What a waste of a good stamp...not to mention how many trees were sacrificed for their crooked mailing!
Birmingham, AL -- Yep, got one in the mail today, too. It's funny, because the handwriting on the envelope is identical to my best friend's -- and it was mailed from Augusta, GA -- and my friend's a huge golfer.
hmmmmmmmmmm, lol.
Thanks for the blog. It's going in the garbage.
Another one in AZ. My mom got the one for the airfare today (she's 72) and gave to me to investigate. The reason being that she unfortunately got sucked into the "Obama Coin" rip-off. Now she checks with me first, lol. I'm looking into where to report the Obama issue, the coins are actually legal. It's their internet practices that are illegal. I got charged for an order I never completed, closing out of the site instead.
It's sad that so much of this trash is out there, and yes there are naive and vulnerable people out there who fall into the trap. Please don't judge.
Thanks for creating this blog, the first hit on Google! Good job.
Saturday, February 7, 2009: I just received one of these letters in the mail today (10 minutes ago), the comnputer was already on, so I immediately googled "Sansford & Jordan," and what was the FIRST hit? Why, this blog! I figured this was a some sort of scam, especially since the letter was addresed to me BY HAND with very poor (hand) PRINTING. Anyway, "Thank you!" for this blog, and explaining this is scam... um, TIME SHARE, which is still a SCAM as far as I'm concerned. - signed, CuriousInAZ
I too received a letter from this company and right off the back i knew it was a phony due to the unprofessionalism and the very bad grammar, next time I think they need to hire people who actually listened in elementary school during grammar before they try to scam the next person....
Yeah I got one too. from AZ.
It for my dad, for a 2 free roundtrip airfare. I called them and the lady said I had to pay $50, and watch a 45min video about their company, and than I can get the tickets. It was too good to be true. So I googled the company and found this blog. Thank you, if i have not found this site I would of probably been scammed.
Did anyone believe this letter?
I received on of the Sansford & Jordan letters, dated Jan 30, 2009, in a handwritten envelope postmarked Feb 4, 2009, with an incorrect name. It is a shame they cannot read their own mailing lists correctly. Also, the bad grammar in paragraphs one and three stood out (see below). I googled Sansford & Jordan to find this website/blog.
Grammar boo-boos #1 & #2: "These Roundtrip Airfare(?S?) ARE valid for travel anywhere in the continental US. The retail value of the two roundtrip airfare IS UP TO $1,400.00."
Grammar boo-boo #3: ". . . so we may issue the Roundtrip Airfare Voucher's to an alternate recipient."
Wow, sounds like it was written by someone who attended a "government school." (with credit to Neal Boortz)
THANKS FOR JUST REASSURING THIS WAS/IS A TOTAL SCAM. I GOT THE HANDWRITTEN LETTER. I WAS NOT GOING TO CALL ANYWAY, BUT DECIDED TO RESEARCH IT. I WRITE A NEWSLETTER FOR MY CHURCH, AND ALWAYS LIKE TO INCLUDE A SCAM OR TWO.
THIS ONE IS CLEVER...
I RCEIVED THE CALL FROM THEM. I TOLD THEM GREAT! WONDERFUL! PLEASE DONATE IT IN MY NAME TO THE RED CROSS OR PURPLE HEART.
THANKS FOR THE INFO.
Ha i got one too. Its in the shredder now. Thanks so much for posting that!
Birmingham, AL - received letter today. It was sent to my son who's away in college. Got "2 roundtrip airfare". Son has Compass Bank account. Interesting!! Sure would like to know if there is a connection with Compass. Thanks for the information here!!
Received the "two free airline tickets" letter in Fountain Hills, AZ today. However, the letterhead was Hanson & Craig. Same scam, different name.
I like to think of this type of scam as one way to keep the postal service in business! Thanks for keeping us informed.
I just recieved this letter too. My momma always taught me if its too good to be true...then it is too good to be true. I live in Birmingham AL too. Thank goodness for Google and this Blog!
I too received this letter - it came in today 2/12/09. After reading the posts above, I'm not even going to bother. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for starting the blog!
I just received the letter in Phx,AZ. Your site came up first in Google. Glad I didn't need to research too hard. Keep up the good work.
Hey, I found this in my mail as well today. Thanks for your blog on it because I Googled the name and and that's the first thing I saw. Like you it screamed scam with no return address and a handwritten address. Again, great job on the blog and I'm writing to you from Bear, DE.
Just returned home from Yuma to Gilbert, AZ and found this letter with several wording errors. I immediately googled the firm name and saw these great comments. I'm not hesitating one second in shredding the letter. Has anyone received a response from an fraud site?
I just received the "infamous" letter, too, in Mesa, AZ. Thanks for the posting on your blog. I read thru a good portion of comments, and I'm amazed by the number of people that actually took the time to research this. I just wonder how many don't, and actually make the call. Sounds legit, but with a lot of strings attached. I'm curious if anyone reading this followed thru with whatever this company is offering?
Nice Blog... thanks for all the info. The most suspicious thing about my letter for 2 free round trip tickets was the fact that is postmarked YESTERDAY in Georgia and I live in Las Vegas. I seriously doubt a .42 stamp will get you overnight deliver from Georgia to Nevada!!
Thank you for posting this. You have done EVERYONE reading this a service.
I just got the 2 roundtrip airfare letter today and had no plans to call them.
Simply a waste of time...now share that !
I received the letter yesterday, and I live just outside of B'ham.
The letter was hand addressed with my maiden name so I thought it might have been from an old college friend. I would also like to know how these scammers got my info. My mortage company is the only business that uses my maiden name with my address. Just curious, does anyone else use Chase Home Finanacing?
Thank You Thank You Thank You I got one of these stupid letters today and immediately googled them and found this page. Good job so others don't have to be scammed if they do their homework.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for having this information posted. I got this letter today and live in the Birmingham, AL area. I also have my home financed with Chase Home Financing.... coincidence?? Would love to have the time to research and see if this Mortgage Company is giving out our information for these scammers. The letter was badly hand written and had a valentine stamp so that was what made me open it. Nice way to lure people in or get their attention. Somebody out there who has the time needs to investigate this and do whatever they can to get it stopped. Thanks again for the information!
I just received this letter in Tempe, AZ. It also used my maiden name, so I presumed it was from a long lost friend. Interestingly, I have never worked with Chase Home Financing or Compass Bank. I wonder where they're getting their mailing lists. I can't think of anyone I do business with that still has my maiden name on file.
Just got my letter from these jokers yeterday. I figured it was a scam but I was still curious. Just like everyone else, I googled them and got this blog. Nothing else usable. Thanks for posting and letting us know about this silliness.
Just received my letter today. I live in Alabama. I must say, I was intrigued too since they used a postage stamp and handwritten envelope. Glad I Googled and found these posts. In the shredder it goes!
Got it today. Knew it was BS when I opened it. Googled it anyways because just like looking up phone numbers, I wanted to amuse myself and read all the complaints pertaining to this. I decided to take it a step further, however, and call them up for giggles. They went into their pitch and in the end I just told them they were full of sh*t and hung up. Don't do this because "Steve" called me back right away (they got caller ID apparently)and said, "So you think your a tough guy, huh?" and I said, "Yeah, what of it?" Steve hung up.
I just recieved this same letter. The funny thing is that it is for (2) roundtrip airfare for $1200, not $1400 as in previous comments. Also, the name Claire Mason has an obviously different signature than the one that you posted. I too googled it and yours was the first result I found.
Just got my letter today. I don't use Compass Bank and I don't have a mortage. I haven't been on a vacation in over 7years (I know, sad) so I've no idea how they came across my name and address. Heck, the only credit card I own is a Kohls one and the only accounts I have are paypal & BofA.
My letter was slightly different though. It offered the Roundtrip airfare up to $1200 AND it reads "Call within 48 hours and you will also receive a $100 gas rebate"
I'm located in Buckeye, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ
Woke up this morning and found the letter on the table from yesterday's mail. Thank you Google.... will not even bother to call
Phoenix, AZ
I just want to know how they got my name and address? That's my biggest concern right now.
The letter screams scam, if not the typical scam, but a scam is a scam even for marketing purpose. They want take your money, the end result.
Just don't like it either way.
We received the same letter for airline tickets. It looked like a scam and sure enough, others have seen the letter and posted messages about this being a scam. Not sure where they are getting the address information but wondering if it is the same bunch offering a sample of AcaiBerry for $5.95. If anyone has given credit card info, call the back as soon as possible and close the accont. Both of these are definitely scams. Don't wait to see what happens for it may be too late when charges start mounting and there is no way to stop them.
OMG!! Thanks so much for posting this. My husband got the same letter offering 2 roundtrip airfare. We are from Phoenix, AZ. My letter was signed by Claire Mason. I just called the phone looking for her and they said they don't known when she will be in. They all need to burn in hell! We don't need people like that in America!
#1 thing that should alert people is the address. A business that will give out freebies like this won't be located in a "suite". That spells small shop which means small money. Also, them asking you to please contact them even if you're NOT interested is BS as well. People if you win something they will just SEND you the winnings without you having to cal l them. Same that a lot of people will fall for this crap.
Sign #2 this is bogus - NO RETURN ADDRESS on the env. they mail to you. What, they can't afford to buy env. with a return address on them. I guess that's so they can't be busted since you can't show it shipped from their location.
Trust me, nothing in life is free. I just hate that people like this can get mailing lists to scam on people.
I suggest people call the 866 # just to run up their phone bill.
live in Vegas got the letter as well
no idea how these people got my info
THANK YOU to your blog and all who have posted! Glad to see the internet doing some good for people too.
I live in Phoenix and received the same scammer letter from "Sanford & Jordan" saying I had been selected to receive two roundtrip airfare. And no, they never tried to contact me -- that would be impossible, I have a closely guarded unlisted phone number. Run from these people. Do NOT call them. You will regret it!
I'm in Birmingham, AL and got this letter a few days ago. I let it sit on my kitchen table to allow myself some time to figure out what I wanted to do regarding the letter. I knew it was a hoax but did I want to play along or just toss it in the trash?? The letter was addressed to me but it used my maiden name and I've been married for 5 years. The return address on the letter was a PO box and it was signed by the same Claire Mason mentioned in another post. I'd love to go on a free trip but you've got to be a little smarter than this to get me drooling. Beware people!
Same letter in Birmingham, AL today. Just for fun, go to Google maps and get a street view of the address. Definitely a high tech headquarters. They also work scams as "Colbert & Johnson" and "Vacation Network Inc."
Same person must have written all these entries since it is the same style and text. If there were several people, one of them would put a stop to this nonsense and contact the local business license agency as well as BBB. Stop this nonsense blog and DO SOMETHING ABOUT STOPPING such letters from entering more mail boxes. Just writing in a blog same message 1 million times will not do it.
I received the letter today in Birmingham, AL. My first tip that it was a scam was the poor addressing on the envelope and the grammar errors in the letter. Thanks for this posting! I do business with Compass Bank and have a mortgage with Chase. I'd be very interested to know if they were involved.
To Anonymous Feb 23, 2009 1:31 PM -If I were you I wouldn't post what banks I do business with, Anonymous or not. The internet is a strange beast and you never know what might happen. This is a pretty pathetic attempt at scamming poeple, especially in Las Vegas from the looks of it. 99.9999of these kind of letters, emails, whatever, are fakes, phisching messages, letters, emails whatever. I will share 1 cool story on this board tho. A few months ago we got a certified letter from a company called RDA Group, claiming to be a marketing and research company from Ford Motors. I had actually had some warrenty work done last summer, and Ford sent a satisfaction survey. I normally pitch any surveys but went ahead adn sent it back to Ford. RDA said they analyze and compile information on these surveys and I had won $1000.00. Of course I didn't believe it for a second, but called and spoke to them, so I called Ford Corporate and had to drill down thru their management structure till I found someone who verified this prize. Seems RDA does a drawing once a quarter with random drawings on returned surveys, with a $250, $500 and $1000 grand prize and we were it! All my co-workers at work assured me it was a total scam, as they had sent an IRS reporting form which included providing them with my social security #. I put Ford and RDA Group thru the 3rd degree like you wouldn't belive, but after MANY phone calls to both companies, a certified check arrived, I chashed it directly with my bank, it cleared and I got a 1099-MISC in January and reported it as income with my tax return. RDA btw stands for Research Data Analysis, Inc. One one of the phone calls, the Senior Project Director, Mark Benedict, mentioned that most people throw their letters away, and the money usually goes unclaimed. I only finally was assured enough to follow through after talking to people at Ford Corporate Headquarters. So, it was one of those one in a thousand, or million, legit prizes. Over 7 months has passed with no problems whatsoever with any financial accounts or identity issures.
ps.. I live in Vegas, also.
Yup I received this exact same letter today and it seemed suspicous since this is the final attempt to receive this. For 2 airline tickets and a free $100 gas card. I just googled the company name and found this blog. Thanks for pre-warning me of this too good to be true scam.
Thank you for this information. I received the same letter as Pablo MBA. Word for word. I chose to google the company due to the poor grammar in the very professional looking letter. Into the shredder it went!
Just got the same letter from Claire. Two tickets and $100.00 gas card. Google Mapped the address: 4400 Columbia Rd, Martinez, GA, and found it in a residential area. Noticed someone else had a Confirmation Number close to mine - 6399. I think they only change the first number.
Good to have Google to look these scams up before something bad happens to your bank account or credit rating.
As I read the post there are some common things I see. First most seem to be from Azizona. Slowly some of the post are coming from the east coast. Does anyone have accounts through Wells Fargo Bank? Wells Fargo main offices are located in Arizona. They also have offshoot companies such as ASC (American Servicing Company) which handles mortgages as a front for Wells Fargo. I received that same letter but will not make a call. I read enough from all of the bloggers to see it's a all out scam. Keep up the great work bloggers. Watching each others back for a better America.
Hey I live in Las Vegas and I just received the Sansford & Jordan letter. Yours is the first site that popped up on Google. So thanks for that.
Thank you for posting these comments. My husband in a mail man and he said that this is a form of mail fraud. Everyone who has recieved these letters should contact their local post office and make them aware of this situation. Someone may not be as lucky as we are and fall for this scam.
Just got one in PA today. I laughed and then googled. Thanks for the info.
Yeap, got one too. Thank you for your blogpost.
Just received the Free Airfare letter today! I figured it was another piece of junk mail as usual but decided to check it out anyway. I didn't have to check out more than the first site that popped up, thanks! Oh yeah, I'm in Delaware (the state).
Same letter from Phx too. Great info on your blog! Thanks!
Thanks for the post, got the letter. you saved me time, Thanks
Got my letter today in Phoenix, AZ. My confirmation number is 4399 :)
I got this letter in Houston today, and figured from the get-go that it was a scam. While I wasn't curious enough to call the number myself, I was pleased to find this blog entry and the wealth of replies from people all over who smelled a rat.
It pains me that trees, stamps, and fuel were wasted on such an unprofessional letter, when a targeted and up-front marketing campaign would be so much more effective and efficient.
My sloppily hand-addressed envelope listed a surname I haven't used in six years, although that name is still on my mortgage. So, it seems that this company is either working from a very old list, or buying names from my mortgage company. Hmm.
I saw that one earlier reply was a sort of apology for this type of business practice, emphasizing that the word "free" never actually appears in these letters. While reading the letter, I noted the same thing, but the fact that so many other replies here have referenced "free airfare" or "a free cruise" drives home the dishonesty behind the letter's phrasing.
Most people infer "free" from statements like "You have been selected to receive X"--and companies that send this sort of BS letter count on that inference. It's an underhanded practice because it's misleading, plain and simple.
BTW, Combined Average--I love your soundtrack! Rock on w/your bad selves. :-)
Cheers,
Cindy in TX
Birmingham, Al
I received the same letter today from Jordan & Sanford. It looked like a scam & I googled it to find your post. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. We called the company and told them to Google their own letter! They got very defensive.
Birmingham, Al
I received the same letter today from Jordan & Sanford. It looked like a scam & I googled it to find your post. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. We called the company and told them to Google their own letter! They got very defensive.
Thanks for the heads up to all that commented on Sansford & Jordan. These folks are sending letters everywhere. I received one yesterday, 3/04/09, in Delaware!
I have had timeshare experiences in the past. I took advantage of one over 20 yrs ago, (during my young and fun days)! A friend and I went to a resort that was being offered through another marketing group. However, we put out more financially than it was worth. We didn't purchase the timeshare property that was being offered,(not that we planned to), but we did make a vacation out of what could have been a real bummer on our pocketbooks.
I'm not suggesting that anyone should go with these kinds of deals, but I was made aware in my initial letter that it was a timeshare offer; not the covert style of seduction that Sansford & Jordan used as their tactic.
Since I wasn't sure what this group was all about, I decided to google as well. So again, thanks for all of the information that's been given. I've now determined that I will not be taking advantage of this great opportunity for "(2) Roundtrip Airfare....valid for travel in and out of major cities in the U.S., valued up to $1200, with restrictions"! LOL!
My young and fun days are over. Its now, Serious and Save days!
Have A Great Day!
yep, just got it today! now... to figure out exactly how to approach them when they answer the phone! Great Blog!
got it today in scottsdale ,az- this blog goes all the way back to December and they are still doing it- I guess that answers everyones question- this scheme actually works for them. Can someone in Augusta go down to this address and shove something up Paula's ass-
I will do it myself when my free tickets arrive :)
Domain Name.......... vacationnetworkinc.com
Organisation Name.... Vacation Network Inc.
Organisation Address. P.O. Box 14865
Organisation Address. _
Organisation Address. Augusta
Organisation Address. 30919
Organisation Address. GA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES
Admin Name........... Paula Rutland
Admin Address........ P.O. Box 14865
Admin Address........ _
Admin Address........ Augusta
Admin Address........ 30919
Admin Address........ GA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
Admin Email.......... ckipnis@vrsvacations.com
Admin Phone.......... +1.7068601120
I received one of these letters as well, and I am SO happy that there are blogs like this so people can figure out these scams before someone becomes a victim. I don't have much more to add, except I wanted to keep the info chain going...Thanks!Las Vegas, NV.
I received the letter too and called the number after reading some of these posts. Spoke with a woman name Carmen. What stood out to me is the fact that she says that they get our information from hotel chains where we have stayed. She said that she never knew this until she started working for the company. I am thinking of writing to every hotel I have stayed at in the past 2-3 years, I would have their info from bank statements, and ask them why they would disseminate a consumers information when their web-site says that they would not. She kind of makes me think this is true because they used my maiden name on my envelope and I usually use the credit card that has my maiden name on it.
I received my freebie today in the Birmingham area and it is addressed to my first name, last name. I use first initial, middle name, last name. The ONLY public source of this is the mortgage record at the county court house. I recently received a call from a local heating/cooling company asking for James, the name I never use. The owner was very helpful in providing me with the source. It was a marketing firm that had bought a listing of current mortgages from our wonderful clowns at the local court house. Google Jefferson County, AL & Sewer and be shocked. Sad to say, many government agencies sell your personal information to various marketers. Doesn't it make you feel warm and fuzzy inside! I plan on donating my two free tickets to Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi. DMV in California sold my nephew's personal information, which allowed a scammer to try to steal his identity. Dig into your local officials to TRY to find out if they are selling personal information held in public records. Many are and don't want you to know. Some public employees also "freelance" by printing out names and addresses and selling them to marketers. So, don"t blame your poor mortgage company or bank, they have enough problems.
Great blog!
I just recieved a letter from S&J about how I won 2 free round trip tickets. Knew it was a scam, but googled the name anyway. I see several websites showing they are a fake. Handwritten letter addressed to me with no return address.
Thanks for posting this. I just got one of their letters too! The dirty scammers...
So glad I read all your blogs. I despise this type of gimmick! I wish they all could be put in jail!!
Got the Letter today 3/9/09 in Hockessin De.. Thanks for the heads up.What a scam
I guess Delaware is next on the target list, just got this today in the mail..scam
Thanks for your blog and all of the comments. My confirmation # is 4399 as well...in Arizona. These bastards need to be put in jail!
Hello. I'm in Birmingham, AL and I just received the letter in the mail today, may have been yesterday when it was delivered. As much as I would love a vacation, I am not naive enough to believe it would come that easy. Of course, like everyone else, I attempted to google the company and came up with your website and other ones saying beware of the scam. Thanks for the confirmation. There is too much scamming going on nowadays.
Just received it in Wilmington, DE and it such an obviously scam. Thanks for the great posts. Someone should find a way to bring these guys down...at best get them to provide full disclosure.
Arizona, conf code: 4399, stupid why not randomize numbers...
Also google map shows the address as a residential neighborhood. I'm sure suite 104 is probably in one of the houses there the 4th back bed room on the 1st floor...
just got my letter today
ive been searching online for airline tickets to hawaii
thanks for the posts
Got one today. Same sucker pitch.
DGM, Birmingham, AL
Sansford & Jordan have hit the east coast. I live in Delaware and received my scam letter today. It is the same one that has been complained about on this blog. Last attempt, Free airline tickets and all.
They are starting to move West again. I got one today in Las Vegas. Offering 2 free round trip tickets.
Got the letter yesterday in Las Vegas. Same "2 roundtrip airfare" and "$100 gas rebate." Same address in Martinez, GA. Opened it because of the hand-written address - looked like a teenage girl's handwriting. No return address. So the professional-looking letter inside this totally unprofessional-looking envelope immediately screamed "scam." Grammatical errors confirmed it. You have to wonder why these scammers don't bother to hire a proofreader before sending out their junk. Googled it, and this blog came right up. The letter was sent to my son, who doesn't live here and has been out of the country for 2 years. He has had business with Compass Bank in the past. Seems to be a common thread.
I live in Wilmington, DE also with same letter also. Looks like they are targeting east coast now, what a joke.
I'm in Wilmington, DE also and received a letter from Sansford & Jordan on 3/16/09 ofering:
(2) Roundtrip Airfare
$100 Gas rebate
My husband just got one today, hand written........we live in wilmington DE too. same as above..$100 gas rebate.
We got the air fare letter today, here in Las Vegas. After reading this site, we just shredded it. Thank you for taking the time to set up the site
Go to google maps and look for 4400 Columbia Rd, Martinez, GA
Haha it's a house
Mine has the address on the bottom of 4400 Columbia Rd, Suite 104
Martinez, GA 30907
Got the letter yesterday - 2 Round trip airfare tickets and $100 gas card as well.
Thank your for the post and all the responses, it's going into the trash right now.
Timeshares in Vegas seem to be the next big push. Last time I stayed at the Luxor I was hit up in the morning after checking out to come back for a "free" weekend for a presentation - they had a small army of employees working the crowds in the casino for this. It was rather annoying.
I got the same letter in Houston, TX. after a hard day's work. After spending the last three years telling my sister day in, day out that there is no free lunch in America. I must admit, the letter got me excited. I thought about choosing to go to Las Vegas or Miami. However, before anything else, I needed to check if anyone else has reported this on the internet as a scam. In the instance I saw this website, my vacation fantasy stopped - I got real! I just went on a road trip to Biloxi, MS for a eight days in November 2008 - It was awesome. It is better to save and treat oneself rather than call 1-866 numbers which capture your phone number for later call back. Thank you for saving me from myself.
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