Nuisance call from 0178999999999

ScamAlert_3

Firstly, the calls come from an AutoDialler - illegal in the UK. The number 0178999999999 is fake and an indication of the intentions of this company. The people involved in this scam (and it is a scam) are based in the USA - they deliberately target UK numbers to avoid the juristiction of UK law i.e. there is little the TPS and Information Commissioner can do about this as they call from abroad.

The last poster is correct: if you are called by an auto-dialler and asked to press a button to connect to an agent you CANNOT be charged (premium rate number or otherwise) for the call. In fact I would encourage everyone to talk to their agents and waste THEIR time and THEIR money i.e. THEY get charged for the call, not you.

The automated message is misleading and fraudulent. It claims that you have won a free cruise or holiday. The latest message claims this is a cruise to the Bahamas, previously it has claimed to be more general Caribbean cruise. They have been trying this scam since at least 2005 using various different numbers and addresses.

If you get talking to an agent, you soon discover that there is no free holiday and they are asking you to pay £598 for the pleasure for staying at their Calypso Cay resort villas, get tickets for Disney world, visit to Fort Lauderdale, etc and a "free cruise". Flights from the UK are not included of course. Some free holiday, eh?

So who are they? Well, the last agent claimed to be representing Disney! I asked him to repeat that and got put through to his equally unhelpful "manager", Holly Miller.

They will direct you to: http://www.uwontrip.com/promo/uk. This appears to be the following company:
Tropical Grand Vacations aka Matza limited
851 State Road 434 Suite 120-122, Longwood, FL, 32750
and appears to have a UK freephone number as follows: 0808 234 7528 (why not call it?)
This domain name is registered anonymously via DomainsByProxy.
Google is your friend if you search by this address or "Tropical Grand Vacations": http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-180-060-9385/7
http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/tropicalgran ... stid/?p=1196198
http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/tropical-grand-vacations-a41486.html

The manager claimed they are Calypso Cay Resort aka Amerisuites Vacation:
http://www.calypsocay.com/
Calypso Cay Sales Center
4951 Calypso Cay Way
Kissimmee, FL 34746
UK Freephone: 0800 091 0919 (why not call this number too?)

These people have a nasty history of scamming. Google "Calypso Cay scam". Examples:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/167/RipOff0167630.htm
http://boakes.org/talk/topic/calypso-cay-resorts-are-at-it-again

So what can you do about it if they call you?

Do NOT give them your credit card details obviously, but do waste their time if they call you, then:

Complain to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Go to their website http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ and click on 'consumer issues' and then go to 'consumer complaint form online' and make a complaint.

OR

File a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Go to their web address:

http://www.800helpfla.com/ccform.html

Next, select the 'File a Complaint' option at the top of the page.

Also posted on whocallsme.

Brittanic

The number is fake - because no UK number will start with 999 - think about it....

Ignore the area code and attempting to redial it manually would get you the emergency services!

marleyboy

....Oh yeah!!!!!!

vansboy

They just called me!!

But it didn't even connect - so chance for me to wind them up & make them think I was an easy target!!

VB

OnceUponADream

I got one of these calls on Saturday but I have caller ID and seen it was a very strange number so didn't bother answering. I can't find any info on it

vansboy

OnceUponADream wrote: »

I got one of these calls on Saturday but I have caller ID and seen it was a very strange number so didn't bother answering. I can't find any info on it

I put the number into Google & it sent me back here!!

Home Sweet home - think MSE has the answer to EVERYTHING!!!!!:beer:

VB

vikingaero

When you talk to an agent from the scam never forget that being a Pervert works very well:

What are you wearing?
Do you have a boyfriend?
etc etc.:D

Works even better on the male agents too!:rotfl:

Mr.D_10

Is it really true that you CAN NOT be charged for calls if you key a number, 9 in this case, during a call such as te ones form 0178999999999. I thought that was what the scam was about.

Receiving several of these call a day at the moment over 2 lines

If so I may well have some fun wasting there time.

the_tired_one

Are we charged for merely answering the phone - I am being bombarded by these, and not only are we ex-directory, only 1-2 people have this number

ivylinn

the_tired_one wrote: »

Are we charged for merely answering the phone - I am being bombarded by these, and not only are we ex-directory, only 1-2 people have this number

I have never been charged for their calls.
I'm ex directory as well and have had that autodialer call my house a few times.:mad: