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:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 237 of 237From another reporter on the ground here in Houston, Texas...
Although I hit the jackpot of MANY choices for destination of my free trip, I am pretty disappointed that I didn't get in on the "free gas card". Sigh. I guess you can't win them ALL. LOL
Other details of my "winning letter" match closely to those reported earlier. Hand-addressed envelope with my first initial only (makes me suspect telephone records used as source), no return address on envelope, actual 42-cent stamp from USPS rather than metered mail. Letter gives company address in Martinez, GA. Postmark is Augusta, GA.
Once I saw the enclosed letter, I smelled scam right away... like the smart consumers who have posted before me. However, I must admit that the hand-addressed, hand-stamped nature of the envelope... with NO return address... caught my attention immediately and DREW ME IN to go ahead and open the mail piece.
It just so happened that the handwriting looked very similar to that of a decades-past favorite old beau with whom I have lost contact for many years now. Though the letter turned out to be garbage, it DID originally bring a smile to my face and make my heart beat faster for a few seconds. Nice rush, in spite of the "false alarm"!!!
Hey, at a certain stage in life, we grab for all the "little" excitements that come our way... LOL. Live well, everybody. And keep yourself SMART.
Thanks to the blog(her) for giving us all a heads-up on this stinker! You go, girl!!!
Mine came today in Tempe, AZ. I have a Compass account and received a letter from the bank last month that said a 3rd party Visa company's security had been compromised. i wonder if this could be related. Thanks to all, I was curious how they got my name.
In Phoenix, got the letter yesterday. Called before I googled, listened to the unbelievable spiel, and told her that I would check them out on the BBB, knowing full well that I wouldn't because they probably wouldn't be there. The most disturbing thing? I never told her my name, and yet through the wonders of caller ID, she said, "Goodbye Ms. ______," as I hung up. Creepy, creepy, creepy. Thanks for this site!
My husband just traveled to LA a couple of weeks ago, apparently that's where they got his name from? He received the same letter...promising choice of a cruise to trip to Orlando, Las Vegas, Cancun or Miami.
I hate scams and this is just such an intrusion in my opinion. Thanks for posting this....it's the FIRST thing that came up when I googled Sansford & Jordon!
Thanks to this site, I don't have to go any further to investigate these clowns. I got my letter in the mail today, and the first thing I noticed is what many of you have already commented on: the horrible grammar usage. What respectable "Marketing" firm writes (2) Roundtrip Airfare? lol The second thing was they said they had "attempted to contact me several times without sucess". Like many of you stated, I never received a call, letter, etc. from any company from a GA area code. So, of course, I decided to to google them, and I wasn't THAT surprised to see their website was not the first thing that popped up, but this one. Thanks so much for warning other unsuspecting consumers like myself. The thing that does worry me is that they hand wrote my name and address. Where did they get my info, and why me? However they got it, they are going in the trash pronto, and eveyone...WARN YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
We live in Gilbert, AZ. Received our letter today, March 24 for the airfare and noticed immediately that it probably was a scam when reading "(2) Roundtrip Airfare". The letter was dated March 23, with a "Respond no later than..." date of April 7. I questioned the letterhead which I thought anyone could've done online (didn't look professional to me) and that it came in a handwritten envelope w/no return address. We do already own 3 timeshares and stay mostly in Marriott establishments, so I'm just wondering about where they got my husband's name and address. I did not call the number on the letter - went straight to Google and this is the first site that popped up, followed by 5 more (ripoffreport.com, etc.) Thank you for writing this. So sad that nothing is legit anymore, but not surprising at all.
I'm in northern Maryland and got my letter today. I figured it was a scam, but called to see what they said. The woman told me they give group presentations by appointment with no obligation. Here's the catch..you have to bring 2 forms of ID when you go to the "presentation" -- drivers license and credit card. I thought I'd mess with them and set up an appointment. I said I'd be there Saturday... let them wonder why I'm not there! Thanks for all the messages from everyone on here!
Another letter arriving in Wilmington, DE. Thanks for the post, it confirmed my suspicions as well.
Thanks for this post. I got the letter today here in Phoenix. I got the round trip tickets with gas card offer. I was tempted to call, but decided instead to Google the company first, and this site is the top result.
Thanks for the web site. The letter came to me today in PA offering a $100 gas rebate and a $1200 air fare to any where in US or a Cruise to the Bahama's or the Carribean.
Thanks you saved me some wasted time.
Newark DE today march 31th.Thanks for posting this.Blogs like this save a lot of us the trouble of dealings with these people
So, everyone has gotten the letter and made phone calls. Has anyone actually attempted the 60 minute presentation? I'd like some better feedback. The lady on the phone told me the cruise is $200/person (taxes) and it includes everything...food, drinks, even alcohol. I'd like to know if anyone has done the presentation.
well, they seem to be hitting up Houston big time. We got the letter today. I was suspicious because it was hand addressed with no return address on the envelope. No time shares for us. Thanks for the original post!!
Apparently they're still going strong...received a letter in Houston, TX today.
I guess it gives the post office something to do...
Thanks for posting your experience and saving me the phone call!
TF
Houston, TX
I just got this the other day. Highlights from the letter include:
Sansford & Jordan
Strategic * Marketing * Solutions
selected to receive (2) Roundtrip Airfare. Your Roundtrip Airfare is valid to travel in and out of major cities in the continental US. retail value up to $1,200.00. last attempt. also receive $100 Gas Rebate.
Claire Mason
Travel Awards Division
4400 Columbia Rd. Suite 104
Martinez, GA 30907
I like the part about airfare valid to travel in and out of major cities and the gas "rebate". The wording sounds like the Nigerians have moved to Georgia.
We just received one of these letters today in Houston, Texas. My warning flag went up immediately because it was written and was not in the company's envelope. First red flag. Second was logo and points didn't make sense. The logo was not for the company's name. Immediately I googled the company and found enough info to satisfy my caution.
~Nazy Meighan (Houston,TX)
the mailcarrier at my former job used to pride himself on taking advantage of these offers and then subbornly refusing to buy the timeshare.
Last Fall, he and his wife accepted an offer to FL and then onto some island near there, there were several destinations that the company sent them to over a period of 2 weeks. About, I don't remember exactly, but like 3-5 days before they were slated to go home, the credit card company froze their card. Apparently, one of the hotel employees stole his identity and charged and charged until the credit people froze everything. Turns out, it was a big ring of people working for the timeshare people, and also at the destinations of the "free" vacation they were given. It was bad, bad, bad.
It's been a banner day, this is the 3rd scam I've been hit with today alone. Got the Sansford and Jordan letter in the mail (Birmingham) and had 2 different phone calls (on my cell and my Skype) with the "this is the 2nd notice that the factory warranty on my vehicle is expiring..." recording blah-blah-blah. It always comes from a different phone number.
That one is making the rounds too. Don't fall for that one either:
http://cameo.livejournal.com/27361.html
Apparently the warranty folks are out of Georgia too. Coincidence?!?!
Thanks for posting the warning. I, too, knew it was too good to be true but since it looked so "real" I decided to google "Sansford & Jordan" and found your site. Thanks for your diligence.
Bill in Alabama
Yes, got the same letter in B'ham today. If you notice, the "handwriting" on the envelope is from a computer program and printer. Not a person and pen ! You can see small lines where their printer is getting low on ink. Also, the return address on the back tab of the envelope is from a printer too. Look at individual letters in the address an see how exact they are. Needless to say, I got a good laugh at how fake it was and threw the letter away !
I received the same scam letter from Sansford & Jordan for free air travel. Having produced video training programs on the subject of various forms of fraud, I knew what this was. It still takes me aback on how shameless these operators are. I googled the 4400 Columbia Road 30907 address and there is no building that I could see that appears on this site. Actually, this appears to be a residential area. Interesting...
We received an offer for two Airfare's (a continuation of their poor grammer) OR a cruise. Glad to see we are not the only ones!
thanks from me too!
I googled it and urs was the first to come up.
I got this today as well here in DFW, TX. I, too wondered where they got my name from. I recently got a quote for an entended factory warranty on a vehicle from Warranty Direct and wondered if maybe they sold my name to them?
Got my letter today. Lucky me! If only this would truly be their last attempt to contact me! Thanks for posting!
Just received my letter last night. Immediately googled "Sansford & Jordan" this morning and found your blog. Thanks for the heads up. My letter is now torn up and in the trash.
I live in Vegas and I received this scam too. "Last attempt" is total BS.
Got my letter today here in Houston. It was addressed to Ms.(my name). I am a dude with a name more commonly associated with women, so that's always a red flag. Then ther is the fake handwriting. I don't know what the font is, but that is CG. Look closely. Also they seem to target a handful of communities with large numbers of retired people (Houston and Tempe) seems predatory to me. Thanks for posting this. Saved me the trouble of making an anooying phone call.
They are still mailing out this letter - mine is dated March 23, 2009. I live in suburban Philadelpha and after reading your posts - tossed it in the trash.
Just got one here in Pennsylvania. Same as others have written about -- 2 continental US airline tickets and $100 in gas.... or a cruise.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Thanks for this blog. Saved me a phone call. And now they are operating out of Martinez, GA. My offer is "worth" $1600--must have upped the ante due to the economy.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the research...I believe we'll be recycling this letter :)
Chandler, AZ
I just called. I am in Arizona and received a letter from sansford and jordan
Total scam. I hate that people fall for these.
Got this letter today, first thing I did was google it, got your blog, thanks for the time taken.
Feel free to go to my website www.flipmonkey.com and sign up for lifelock my wife and I did and I feel secure on all identity theft. This letter must work for some people.
flip@flipmonkey.com
I just received this letter - googled it as it sounded 'too good to be true' - thank you for posting your experience to save me some time!
I live in San Diego but got this scam letter that was addressed to my parents' P.O. Box in Birmingham -- one that they've only been using for a few months. I haven't shared an address with them for 8 years now. It's really odd.
Just as a note: The address isn't hand-written. It's just a computer font made to look like a hand-printed note. You can see this easily by comparing multiples of the same letter to each other.
Anyway. I do think it's laughable that a supposed marketing firm doesn't know how to use the internet yet. Maybe next time!
Got the letter dated April 12th offering "(2) Roundtrip Airfare" (lousy English first clue) and Second clue "...attempted to contact you several times" - yeah right! Then there ws the $100 gas rebate (for the plane?)....Shoved this away somewhere since I wanted to see what this scam was about...just got a round to it. Thanks for the 411....
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