Have I won?

tawnyowls

I've just had an email from Coastal Travel (http://www.atcoastalvacation.com), saying I've won something. I don't recognise the competition page (http://www.promo.coastalvacation.com/) - now admittedly, I've entered a lot of comps over the last few days, but still, I'd expect to have a vague recognition. The links on the site seem to be links to various search pages. Plus, the username and password they gave me (copied & pasted) doesn't work. I've found very little about them on the web, which rings alarm bells. Do you think it's worth/safe to email them about it?

magic57

I would advise caution tawnyowls. Usually these are a scam and you could end up parting with a load of cash to claim your "win". It could be a timeshare trick or similar where they give you free air tickets but you have to pay a fortune for accommodation. Be careful if you reply to them and don't give them any of your financial details. (Sorry I'm sure you would'nt anyway - just don't want anyone to be taken in by scammers.)

alchemista

it doesn't hurt to email them about it (except you may get more junk mail). If it starts looking very fishy as you get deeper in, just back out before you commit any money.

Strepsy

The site looks very dodgy and there are no contact details for them. I wouldn't even reply.

tawnyowls

Thanks, guys. My spidey-sense was tingling, and the replies have confirmed my misgivings. I think I'll pass! Normally, this sort of thing would go straight in the bin, but as they had the particular combination of email and username (specifically chosen so you couldn't guess one from the other) that I've been using for comps entered from this board, I didn't immediately dismiss it as spam.

RoCas

Defo looks like a scam. There's quite a bit about them - not specifically in the UK - if you google them ... take a look, for example, here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-577148.html

harrogategirl

I received a rather exciting phonecall today saying I had won a runners up prize in a competition to win a caribbean holiday! They were extremely convincing saying I had entered on get me a ticket. co.uk they were even able to tell me my e-mail address and home address to confirm the link! Was given a freefone number to call to claim my prize: 0800 008 6115 with a special claim code. The company I rang on that number are called Club La Costa. They said I could choose from costa del sol, Tenereife, Turkey or Austria and I could take 4 people. Flights were included as was luxury self catering accommodation! They then slipped in that I would have to pay £29.50 per person booking fee. Slightly odd but I still thought I was on to a winner! I was told I would have to go through to Leeds to their travel agency to book my holiday and that they would make an appointment for me. I took an appointment time and was told they were also going to send me £50 of shopping vouchers from my choice of debenhams, argos, m&s or john lewis. I have since googled the company name and also looked on here to find out that they are timeshare scammers! I rang the freefone number back and asked if they were trying to sell me a timeshare or if I had really won a holiday! She admitted they were trying to sell a timeshare and that it wasn't a competition prize!!!!!
Also, the appointment they had made me was actually a 2hr presentation!!!! Thank god i found this out before i turned up with my 4mth old and my 2 yr old!
How scummy are these people? Blatantly taking advantage of January blues and money worries by pretending you've won a holiday! I like to think that I'm quite intelligent yet they still had me hook line and sinker even if it was only for a short while!
The website for the company and its timeshares actually looks very appealing. I could have probably still been drawn in by it all. However, alarm bells ring when a company has to lie about you winning a prize in order to get your custom.
My advice?.... STEER CLEAR! THIS STINKS!:mad:

harrogategirl

P.s Will Let You Know If I Still Get My £50 Of Vouchers. If I Do It Was Worth The Inconvenience Of A Stupid Phonecall!