Got a call from "Jenny @ YTH" advising that I won a cruise with NCL, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival that i recently signed up for and that I had to call back today or forfeit the prize.   Obviously a scam because I would NEVER fill out any type of contest card for ANY prize.  The message said to call 800-309-6196.  

Don't get scammed.

Yth telling me Jenny will accompany me on the cruise I won....NOT!!!!!
They called on my business line and I screen the calls.  Beware!

Says my number and then asks what number I would like to remove

Says what number would you like to remove

cam tellmarketing - I won a cruise

I actually did this and secured four different cruises with them for not much money. Check them out before you call it a scam!

How much did they pay you to write that? Or did they promise payment and not give it to you.

Did you guys get to go on your cruise because I fell into this trap as well?

This is not a scam it is marketing?Very dishonest marketing.  During the person that I spoke with said they were with Carnival Cruise Lines.  Being that I have cruised with Carnival over 10 times in the past I though I had indeed won a cruise with them.  I asked the guy on multiple occasions if he was in fact employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and he said yes. After the fact I found out that it was US Travel Group.

For the confused employee that keeps posting things on this site.  The number that you left goes to voicemail and there is no option to transfer to ext 9 because trust me, I would love to speak with you.  Also I wonder what your PR department, which I doubt you US Marketing has, would think about these posts you have left defending them when in fact you are showing the exact behavior that everyone here is complaining about.

To think that we are all couch potatoes is absurd.  You are probably uneducated and sad and I feel sorry for you.  I can afford to loose the $536.00 that your company has taken from me under false pretence but what up sets me is the people that don?t have the money to loose.  The elderly or the person that thinks finally I can take my family someplace and escape the couch as you have put it.

If anyone ever tells you they have to read a script that you have to say yes to and if you stop them to ask a questions they have to restart and re record.  That is because they don?t want the answer they give you recorded and have something to hide.  There is a company claiming to be with Verizon trying to switch your long distance that does the same thing as US. Travel Group.  They are also Crooks.

I have yet to receive my package that US is sending me and Have tried to schedule was supposed to be a 5to 6 day cruise which now as I find out is only 3 to 4 days.  I will update you on that once I have gone if in fact I do get to go.  I have tried to contact them by both email and phone and they never call back so maybe it?s just an unfortunate lesion I learn.  I will however and urge anyone else to notify the better business bureau and your state attorney general?s office.

Were you able to get your money back? I am going through the same thing...

Yes this is my 3rd trip with this travel agency. First time I wona  cruise and it wqas 3 years ago, I took advantage if it and had a marvelous time for under $100.00 per person and then I took a cruise last year to Mexico with another promo and I paid $90.00 per person..I love paying such an awesome price for a great weekend getaway. This 3rd time I went to the Bahamas and some guy Raul sold me it and he was actually very kind and knew what he was talking about everythime I asked him a question. I got to for $93.00 for the taxes on my cruise and had a fantastic time on the Royal Carribean cruise. Don't let these people complaining ruin an affordable trip for you and your family. I will continue to travel with their promotions. The number that called me was 1-240-699-8910  Cara Florida

Don't worry, I got my packet porfolio and this is my 3rd trip with this company has hooked me up with..Their not a scam their legit. I understand how people love to be cautious but we as consumer are protected by the Consumer Protection Act and by our banks so if it was a scam I would have reported it. I'm speaking on experience and I'm happy with their promotions and buisness..They have me as their customer for good now because everytime I travel, I get a promotional special..Thanks US Travel I'm pleased with you all. Cara Florida

I think if they were trying to cover something up they wouldn't had given you their name and number! You're just trying to be a cheap skate and want everything free in this world! I actually took advantage of this promotion and I had a fantastic time down in the Bahamas, and I can't wait to get another call to take an awesome vacation under $100.00 I'm very pleased with this travel group, too bad you're just too blind too see an awesome deal..Loser..Cara

Keep up the good work ;)

Only because I'm in a good mood:

24 N. Washington
Batavia, IL 60510

Feel free to give me a call anytime! ;)

The FTC knows who we are since ALL toll free numbers have to be registered with them anyway. Speaking of which, most scams I've seen and/or been victimized by never had toll free numbers for this reason specifically. What about you? I'll give you credit, you're alot more respectable than some of the other morons on here. You're stretching with the 'illegal' label however... Truth be told if it was illegal someone would have stopped us long ago... Seriously.

Consider the alternative: You get a cruise for $93 on a 1st come, 1st serve basis. I bet it would be REEEAL convenient if we sent out vouchers and booking intineraries without collecting any money and just assuming you'll be nice enough to send payment later. LoL!

So let me get this right: you want us to trust you, but won't trust us..?!? Something is wrong with this picture...

Poor little man. Keyword: poor. Allow me to enlighten you slightly about the verb 'win' - win is not and never has been associated with the word 'free.' (i.e. Lotteries, automobiles, game show giveaways, etc.) What you 'won' is an opportunity to take advantage of 1 of our seasonal promotions. It's really simple too, if you're not interested, say you're not interested. If you would like to be placed on a DNC list, then request it. Scam?!? We're just as much a scam as whatever company you work for. You should stop freeloading and trying to get "something for nothing."

As far as a name and a location, I'm not doing your legwork for you. I recommend you use the ever so reliable Better Business Bureau for our contact information.

I feel sorry for the people who werent SMART enough not to provide his or her credit or debit card information to COMPLETE strangers over the phone especially after they havent seen any documentation for exactly what it is that they are paying for. You ought to be more cautious with your confidential information because things like this happen everyday. Why would you provide your card info over the phone anyways? You arent receiving any confirmation of payment and needless to say if you took the time out to do your research before you became so "happy go lucky" for a "free cruise" you'd still have your money in your pocket. DONT FEEL LIKE IM BASHING YOU OVER THE HEAD I JUS THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE MORE CAUTIOUS....TO ALL EMPLOYEES: IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PRACTICES OF THIS COMPANY YOU ARE LOWER THAN THE SCUM OF THE EARTH. I BET HALF OF YOU ARE EX-CONS ANYWAYS, LOW-LIFE THUGS WITH NO MORALS!!

Another note about US Travel Group.  This company is owned by TSN International.  TSN International's business license was revoked by the State of Nevada, where it is registered as a corporation.  

http://nvsos.gov/sosentitysearch/CorpDetails. ... 253d%253d&nt7=0

Also, as a registered "foreign" company (foreign in that it's not an Illinois) in Illinois, it's current status is "NOT GOOD STANDING".

Legally, this company shouldn't be operating.

So Dave, what do you have to say about that?

Much to Ext 9's chagrin, I did call US Travel Group and asked a few questions as they managed to charge my 80 father $196 for two cruise vouchers.  Once the vouchers were on hand and he tried to make his cruise reservations, he was told that the dates he wanted were "prime dates' and that he would need to pay an additional $100 per person.  All the other dates he choose were also "prime dates".  He was also told that if he wanted a room with a window, that would be an additional $186.  Every question he asked cost an addition fee so that his original $93 x 2 tickets were over $600.  He asked that his money be refunded and was told that the company was not allowed to refund taxes back.

Now on to Ext 9.  His name is Dave or David, depending on his mood.  I explained that my 80yo father bought two of these vouchers and the subsequent $600's in fees and that he'd like his money back as he certainly didn't understand their offer.  I was told that there was a Refund Committee that meets on Thursday's and decides on refunds and that my father would get a call on Friday with their decision.  I was also told that they weren't normally allowed to refund taxes.  ($196 my father paid were the cruise taxes he was told).  When I asked what goverment regulation prevented them from refunding the taxes on a cruise ticket that wasn't bought, Dave didn't know.  When I asked who was on the Refund Committee, Dave didn't know.  He said he gave the information to the receptionist.  When I asked the direct number for the receptionist, he didn't know.  When I asked for the name of the Chair of the Refund Committee, he didn't know.  When I asked what number he called if he was going to miss work, he told me he called a voice mail number, but not a real persons.  When I asked for a local number for the business, he didn't know.

I asked how my father "won" the cruise and was informed that his phone number was selected from a random generator (aka an automatic phone dialer).  There was no contest to win, as there was no contest to lose.

So Dave, before you extoll the virtues of US Travel Group, aka Your Travel Headquarters, aka a myriad of other names, be sure the mention that the BBB gives your company an F, that the State of Indiana won a $479,000 judgement against the corporation for not being truthfull, and that your company is under investigation by a myriad of States Attorney Generals.  Be sure to mention that in the last 25 years the company has had to change it's name on many occasion, and that a majority of clients who pay for the so called vouchers, never actually get on a cruise ship.  Make sure you mention that your company is predatory to our senior citizens

they are in british columbia, my phone tells me where the call is coming from

Looks like USTG is alive and well and now scamming at 202 870-5954.  We received the same spiel as the others on 3/3/10.  We were immediately suspicious when the request for "upfront" money was made.

Recieve a call saying about some cruise. Seem good too be true,nverthelss I got convince.give my card  number. & I don't know what next!

202-870-5954 can't be the real caller number showing in my cel CID for this company and "taxes only" cruise "prize", as it traces to a DC Verizon cel block, whereas the automated dialer call I received came from a system that handed off to a Batavia, IL call center.  The automated dialer illegally called mt cel, and the screening IVR message claimed I'd filled out a form to enter a travel contest.  Obvious criminal identity fraud for the calling number, and criminal dialing of cels, but surprisingly, the handoff was to a "Raul Vargas" who apparently didn't have a screen with my callee info, and who was apparently honest about his company's pitch.  

http://www.ustravelgroup.info/cruise/index.cfm was the promotion being pitched, "giving away" cruises subject to immediate payment of certain fees, to supposedly fill cabins of a troubled industry on Carnival and 2 sister cruise lines.  Unlike most criminal scam telemarketers, this caller came across as willing to share real information about his company and promotion, with no idea he was conspiring in a criminal scam (I spent 19 minutes pretexting a desirable customer).  Also, DNS for that domain is hidden behind a privacy service, as is the .net counterpart to the same site.  

There's more about them on this site listed under phone 202-870-5954.  Other sites have info suggesting this company is real, but scams people by issuing third party vouchers that are difficult to redeem, and isn't directly marketing or affiliated with the claimed cruise lines.  Also on other sites is information suggesting this is an operation of the same group of businesses that have been sued for fraud by state Attorney Generals, for various business names associated with Harbor Resorts or VRMI.  

Just the fact that they're illegally robo-calling cel phones means they are an interstate criminal scam, and complaints can be filed here:  

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm?sid=d1e408&id=d1e456

as well as with the Interagency criminal task force, at www.ic3.gov  

It's strange that they're also engaging in identity theft forging CID (additional grounds for complaint), as this operation appears "real", even though it's a criminal scam too.

The catch that they dont tell you (even though i asked multiple times) is that after you receive your packet of cruises you can choose from they charge you for the port fees as well which is a steep $120 per person way more then it is if you buy the cruise your self also the typical taxes are 40 dollars a person for the cruise they offer so by the time it is all said and done your are paying the retail price for the cruise you get and being severly inconvieneced by there booking policies

i received the same message

GOOD QUESTION, IM WORRIED MYSELF, I ALREADY PAID MY MONEY RECIEVED MY PACKET THAT THEY SAID SO SO FAR I DONT SEE A SCAM BUT ALL THIS NEGATIVE SCAM TALK MAKES ME WONDER????  WHAT PROCESS ARE YOU AT NOW?  DID U GET UR PACKET, DID U RESERVE YOUR CRUISE??

Did you notice that they have two websites?  www.UsTravelGroup.net and .info?

I refused to give my CC number to some thug sounding guy on the phone.  After trying a few more times  he reluctantly transfered me to someone who actually sounded somewhat professional.  She had nothing to offer by way of validation or credentials - so I hung up and called the number on the .info site and got voicemail.

THE 1ST GUY ON THE PHONE SAID THAT AFTER I PAID MY TAXES, $186 THAT HE WAS GOING TO PERSONALLY CALL ME BACK AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYONE ELSE IN MY FAMILY WHO WANTED TO GO AS WELL FOR $93 EACH.

WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE HIM MY CC NUMBER HE SEEMED VERY WELL VERSED/SCRIPTED REGARDING CONSUMER CC PROTECTION - WEIRD.  THE ONLY SECUITY OFFERED WAS "YOUR CARD COMPANY HAS YOU PROTECTED" NOTHING TO AY ABOUT THIER SECURITY ETC ETC.  HE JUST WANTED TO WRITE DOWN MY CC INFORMATION AND ADDRESS THAT'S ALL - NO BIG DEAL.

Then a guy picked up, it sounded like it could be Mr. Ext.#9.  He was way to easygoing and cheerful, matter of fact, blah blah.  Somthing is not right over there

All three lines have some kind of "busy working sounds" audio track going on behind the scenes, it sounds very generic.

Looks and sounds scammy at all levels.

Information for Filing Telemarketing complaints in Canada and the United States:

CANADA

RCMP Phone busters
Telephone toll free: 1-888-495-8501
Mon-Fri 8:30-5:20 pm (Eastern Time)
E-mail: info@phonebusters.com
RCMP Website is at: http://www.phonebusters.com  
File complaint online:  https://www.recol.ca/intro.aspx?lang=en
(Register with a password and then can continually file complaints)

Canada National Do Not Call Registry:
Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Telephone toll free to File A Complaint: 1-866-580-3625
(to withdraw a complaint is 877-249-2782)
CRTC online complaints form: https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/pfplin-fccoin-eng
that is at  www.crtc.gc.ca

Better Business Bureau, Check out a Business, find owner, contact info; file a Complaint:
http://www.bbb.org/canada/

UNITED STATES

US National Do Not Call Registry, file complaint: https://www.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx

Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov 1-877-382-4357
File complaint online: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
that is at www.ftc.gov

Federal Communications Commission
Telephone toll free:  1-888-225-5322
http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
File complaint online: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumers.html
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
FCC Abandoned Calls Complaint form:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/1088D-R.pdf
email:  fccinfo@fcc.gov

Better Business Bureau, Check out a Business, find owner, contact info; file a Complaint:
http://www.bbb.org/us/

They called me also, but I'm actually thinking about buying it. It's a nice, cheap cruise. Why not? Have any of you actually bought anything from the company and had a problem? If not, I don't care if they are giving out misleading information like "you won a contest", it is still a really cheap cruise. :P And cruises are awesome.

Anyone had a problem with a service they actually BOUGHT from them? I'd like some good information, not just people flaming about how they had called them at work during nonwork hours.

PS: They called me from 240 699 8910