800-748-5177 travel scam (pretends to be RCI, but not)

[HudsHut]

Latest scam call 800-748-5177

Asked for my first name. I replied who's calling? He says RCI Travel and goes on to say that this call may be recorded.

Then he says "have any of my colleagues reached out to you to let you know you have an "RCI Travel package"...?

I knew at that point it was a scam. The number does not trace to RCI in any way.

Several different spiels used can be read this this link:
https://directory.youmail.com/directory/phone/8007485177

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have also received such calls from people claiming to be RCI. I tell them, "No, you are not RCI, I know their phone numbers." The answer once was, "Well, how do you think we got your number?" I have to laugh at that. Maybe they do give out our number, but the fact is, deeds are filed all over the country, so they just know we own timeshare and are easy marks.

 

[PamMo]

This is one of the things I love about TUG. It's good to be forewarned about these phone scams.

Thanks for the heads up, hudshut!

(I'm always curious about names...are you huds hut, or hud shut? )

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Latest scam call 800-748-5177
Asked for my first name. I replied who's calling? He says RCI Travel and goes on to say that this call may be recorded.....
I knew at that point it was a scam. The number does not trace to RCI in any way.....

I have also received such calls from people claiming to be RCI. I tell them, "No, you are not RCI, I know their phone numbers." .....

This is one of the things I love about TUG. It's good to be forewarned about these phone scams )

Hi All ,
I don’t think this is a scam.
It is likely a call from a part of the RCI partner that handles cruises for RCI - “International Cruise and Excursions “also known as ICE Rewards . I believe ICE-rewards also run the RCI rewards store .

when you are a. RCI member you likely agree to let them share information with their partners / and this is how these phone calls happen .

I called 800- 748 5177 and spoke to a a representative . The website they have :
...www.ourvacation ....- OVC / shows the ICE logo as well as RCI and other travel info.

International Cruise and Excursions
(revenue appears to be over $500 million/ founded 1997)
Founders John & Marcia Rowley
Headquarters - Scottsdale Arizona

******
>There have been a number of previous TUG threads about these cold calls using the RCI name and offering cruise packages . It appears that most are based on what I posted above .

> .We all know that there are shady operators who trade off the RCI name .This is (IMO) not one of them - in the sense of being a scam . The value / worth of the cruise packages being pitched is your call .

>We were given an ICE membership when we bought Vidanta -Mayan Palace in 2006 . We never used it - because we have never gone on a cruise - and let it lapse when a renewal payment was required .

**************************************
Added
Here is a DBA list I came across while googling International Cruise and Excursions .* have put some of the names I am most familiar with first :

RCI Travel

Sears Travel
Sear Vacations
ICE -International Cruise & Excursion Gallery Inc.
ICE - Rewards
ICE Gallery
Vida Lifestyles
Destinos Unlimited
Direct Buy Travel
Our Vacation Center
Westgate Cruise & Travel Collection
Diamonds International Privileges
Inneason Concierge Club
Government Vacation Rewards
Ocean Rewards
Vacation Rewards
Vacation Privileges
Privileges
Platinum Rewards
Cruise Vacations
Cruise Registry
Infinite Privileges
Privileges Infinitos
Freedom 365
Live 365
Club 365
Lifestyle Xperience 365
Lifestyle Collection
Privileges 365
Online Cruise Club Premier
Cruceros en Linea Club Premier
NEA Vacations
GVR
Herbie & Co
Explore Cruise Travel
Registry Vacations
Holland America Line Privileges

 

[LannyPC]

...so they just know we own timeshare and are easy marks.

In their opinion, if you were gullible enough to buy a TS thinking that it would hold or increase in value, then you are probably gullible enough to fall for their scam.

 

[icydog]

I used to get timeshare scam calls all the time. But not anymore!

The scam call:

Scam company: Hi I’m XX from Timeshare company, RCI, Marriott, Vacation Club or whatever. I’d like to speak to Icydog (insert real name)

Me: She’s not available. How can I help you?

Scammers: We’d like her to know about our free this or that promotion, free week, free points, free vacations, free Cruises or whatever.
Or this line, we’d like to invite her to a seminar that guarantees that she’ll never pay a maintenance fee again

Me: Let me stop you right there. We don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s a timeshare?

Scammers: Oh, Sorry to bother you. We’ll take you off our list. Goodbye!

Me: Goodbye. And to myself I mutter.. “and good riddance”

I know this works because my timeshare scam calls have gone down to practically zero.

Try it...you may find it works for you too!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I used to get timeshare scam calls all the time. But not anymore!

The scam call:

Scam company: Hi I’m XX from Timeshare company, RCI, Marriott, Vacation Club or whatever. I’d like to speak to Icydog (insert real name)

Me: She’s not available. How can I help you?

Scammers: We’d like her to know about our free this or that promotion, free week, free points, free vacations, free Cruises or whatever.
Or this line, we’d like to invite her to a seminar that guarantees that she’ll never pay a maintenance fee again

Me: Let me stop you right there. We don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s a timeshare?

Scammers: Oh, Sorry to bother you. We’ll take you off our list. Goodbye!

Me: Goodbye. And to myself I mutter.. “and good riddance”

I know this works because my timeshare scam calls have gone down to practically zero.

Try it...you may find it works for you too!

Nice post; we do something similar; We tell them: "We sold all our timeshares years ago".

That has put a huge dent in the scam calls.






.

 

[geist1223]

I stop them and say the call is being recorded for the purpose of Federal Litigation. I then hear a click.