The Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers about a solicitation that promises free airline tickets and hotel accommodations.
The AG says a flier circulating in northern Vermont offering free travel violates the state’s consumer protection rule on bait advertising.
The promotion requires recipients to attend a high-pressure sales pitch to receive the offer, a news release said.
According to the AG, “the sales agents persuade consumers that they can save money on discount airfare and accommodations by purchasing a membership in a discount travel club, or similar type of enterprise. The membership is expensive and consumers later learn that it does not provide what was promised.”
A similar scheme in the Burlington area was shut down last year, the release said. This year’s pitch asks people to attend a seminar in Plattsburgh, New York.
The release urged Vermonters to take the following precautions when enrolling in such plans:
• Confirm that the corporate business is registered with the state’s Secretary of State’s Office. In-state businesses must provide contact information and a registered agent. In Vermont, out-of-state businesses must obtain a Certificate of Authority in order to transact business in another state (which serves to provide contact information and a registered agent). You need to be able to contact this business if something goes wrong.
• Confirm whether the promotional material provided (by phone or mail) in advance of the sales transaction is compliant with State Consumer Protection Rules. In Vermont, call our Consumer Assistance Program to check on promotional information.
• Confirm that the contract being presented at the time of the sales transaction complies with the state’s “right to cancel” law.
• Research the company’s history with the State’s Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau (but be aware that these companies change names frequently).
• Look for consumer complaints about the company or the type of membership plan on the Internet.
