Antipodean Phone scam

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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:27 am

Just had a call from a lad with a very heavy Indian accent and a terrible line (prob VOIP) about a free give away (only costs $109!) that entitles you to stay in various hotels for free for 5 days and then a 70% discount on subsequent days. The company was called Discount Premium Holidays. Google couldn't find it despite the company supposedly existing for 5 years, and the address was a carpark in central Auckland.

I quite enjoyed myself, checking the details online while he was trying to stick to the script. The Verification Manager (Rick) hung up on me half way through giving me the web address of the company. Funny that. Laughing

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:56 am

Nick--

Since the initial 5 days in the 'hotel' are free and paid by the lads, then you pay 70% whatever--why not just tell them you will be there for 4 days and then gone? Should be no cost to you!

And you need to press them further as to what hotels they are speaking of. Demand a website for at least one, and also that it has a heated swimming pool and lobster/filet mignon on the menu daily. Settle for nothing less. Ask if your poodle 'Fifi' can get all services too.

cheerz--jervis

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:28 am

I would but they hung up on me. Plus they would have wanted my $109.00 for the membership.

It turns out they called my Dad the this evening, too. What a coincidence that we were both on the list of 100 lucky winners, out of the whole country!

He wanted to know where I would like to go on holiday, and I couldn't think of anywhere. How sad is that?! I really need to get out more.

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:48 am

http://www.discountpremiumholidays.com.au/

http://www.discountpremiumholidays.co.nz/

Quote:

Simply purchase a 12 month membership for only AUD $109 or a 24 month membership for an amazing AUD $209. You will receive by mail your membership pack containing your personalized member card, password and member identification number

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:14 am

Nick--

QUOTE:
He wanted to know where I would like to go on holiday, and I couldn't think of anywhere.

For your vacation/holiday--tell him you're torn between Nome, Alaska [temp well below Zero deg.F today, minimal sunlight] or Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii [a real isolated leper colony founded by Belgian Father Damien]. Both in the USA, where the streets are paved with gold and gullible Americans.

cheerz again---jervis

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 05 Apr 2006 Posts: 8

Had this happen to about a year ago. They use legit holiday sites, and then get your credit card info from you.

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:39 pm

That doesnt look so legit- check out the "apology" at the bottom!

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:14 pm

Thanks for the links Spot. I wonder why my googling didn't find it? They still gave the wrong address on the phone, he told me it was level 2 not 20, and the first four levels are carparking. Plus the membership fee was different at $109 not $129. He went through his pitch three times so I know I didn't mishear him. He also didn't mention the black pearl prize for new members.

I may be wrong but I think ghart is right, they are using a legit site for CC phishing.

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:57 pm

Try Googling "Discount Premium Holidays" ....inverted commers

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:28 am

So its a scam?
I like the roll over links that change color but don't work.
Should we write them?

[email protected]

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:52 am

What did you have in mind, Connie? The lad on the phone was no bright spark, and the boss hung up as soon as I asked a not-so-difficult question. If they are a scam the bait won't be entertaining. I suspect that they are operating on the edge of the law (especially with the warning on the Aussie site), and not actually breaking it.

If there is a way to see just how legit they are then count me in.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 05 Apr 2006 Posts: 8

What happened to me was my wife got a call from some people saying they were having a speciasl on Carribean cruises, do I have a credit card. Pointed her to a site on the web to check it out etc etc. They gave her a reference no and said they would call back. (Was a really good deal). When they called back and spent 1/2 hour on the phone with me wasting their time. When it got to payment details, I said OK I'll wire the money into their account!!! No we only accept credit card they said and hung up.

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:52 pm

ghart--

Just to let you know--The lads DO have Caribbean banking/scam connections. Usually the Cayman Islands, which has long been infamous as a nebulous and dubious [and every other 'ous'] place to stash illegal cash...They often use the 'Royal Bank of Canada' as a front but the bank traces to the Bermuda triangle area....They also have phone #s there set up that cost you $50 per minute on your bill.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 20

It is possible as well that the warning at the bottom of their site is just a response from a company that has absolutely no idea what is happening. I have seen this more than a few times before. They have been sent an email so lets see how they respond. The ball is now in their court.

P.S. Should have seen the last one. Not a clue and they were a corporate IT marketing consultancy. Confused