I almost believed this scam letter, "A birthday gift," and wondered from what list did they get my name?
Now I check it online now and read about my birthday gift of this wonderful check to travel on any major air line within one year of the date, and I'm embarrassed at my gullibility.  Thank you all for writing in and exposing the jerks.

Today I received a postcard; on one side it says "Happy Birthday" with pictures of ribbons and balloons.  My birthday is about three weeks away.  The other side lists no return address, just postage paid West Palm Beach, FL, Permit 3950.  It uses a US Airlines logo, as well as a Walmart logo.  Not sure how Walmart is supposed to be a part of this.  Here's the text:

[Dear _____________

Hello...and Pack your Bags!  IN CELEBRATION OF YOUR BIRTHDAY, you were verified as of 3/20/10 and as a result of this offer your name and Ticketing Number have been Identified and Issued!  You will receive at your request Two Roundtrip Airfares to Anywhere in the Continental U.S.!  We are excited for you!

Call within 48 hours and you will also receive as a bonus!

$300 Merchandise Rebate Certificate

WE'VE BEEN GOING CRAZY TRYING TO CONTACT YOU!
You must respond within 72 hours!
CALL FOR DETAILS 1-866-279-3255
Monday - Sunday 9am-9pm]


On the left, I see that my "Ticketing ID Confirmation No." is 8611.  Under that is like a fake boarding pass (name of traveler/origin of baggage/destination verified), and under that it says:

Big World Vacations
2416 Music Valley Dr.
Nashville, TN  37214

Then the fine print:
[Call for details of participation.  Approximate Retail Value $1299.  Recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and deposits.  Certain restrictions apply.  90 minute sales presentation for travel membership required.  This promotion is not sponsored by or affiliated with retailer listed.  Retail merchandise rebates requires a $12.95 refundable processing fee.  Rebate good at retailer of your choice.  Travel provided by Fun Planet.]

I actually called the number; the woman took my name and address (already had it on the postcard) and my phone number (kicking myself now) and set up a time for my wife and I to come to the 90 minute presentation at the address above.  She said we would have to bring a credit/debit card, but only for identification purposes (?) and that it would never leave my hand; I could keep the numbers covered up if I wanted.  She was obviously sick; she sounded terribly congested and sneezed violently once during our conversation.  No accent, though.  At the end she asked me about the housing market in Nashville, which I thought was kind of strange.  The only thing I can find online for Big World Vacations is a form "confirmation letter" available at vacationgift.net.  Thought all of this was worth posting, since none of the details were the same as anything previously posted.

I got the Birthday Letter today, 2 days before my actual birthday.  Scary.  I know enough never to reply to any "company" that is too afraid to provide their company name and address.

The phone number to call in the letter is 1-888-622-2916.  Maybe I should go to a public phone and dial their number a few thousand times - they'll have to pay for the calls.

I was stupid inougth to call to this phone. They asked me to be in the site and bring valid driver lisence and at least one valid credit card...
As I assume they use some photo when they do the registration. It's not a big deal. As the result they wood have al what they need - your addres (they already have), social, home phone and credit card #...
Smart a**!

I also got a letter from them.  They said there would be a lot of people there.  A total of
5 people showed uup, not a lot.  I was glad my sister came with me.  They started off
with $7900, then went down to 5900.  Then they brought in the obb who lowered it to 3200.
When they came us to 9:00 to come back, I knew something was wrong.  I also don;t
know where they got my name.  I plan on calling the Better Business Bureau.

Ok I guess they are working the Philadelphia area now. They are getting sloppy too. I got one of these and It was hand addressed with No return address Auto-Creepy. I thought it was anthrax in it lol.

The worst and sloppiest part? It's dated April 2nd Today is Apr. 3rd and my b-day is in August.

How stupid do they think people are? I hope they aren't getting anywhere with this scam. I wonder how they get you does anyone know what the goal is?

Btw, I have been recieving numerous calls from companies like this from texas / california and it could be the same company. That's crazy how they are digging up our info to do this i'm reporting them asap.

Confirmation Number: 3199

Beth Jensen of the "Travel Awards Division" KILL YOURSELF!

Oh I forgot to add that the calls I were getting initially for same offer whether they were the same company that sent the letter or not I know got my number off craigslist. They are so dumb they call me right after I put up the ad and ask for my posted alias.

So watch out when you post ads or your info they have no life they call ANYONE.

me too. same letter, same name (beth jenson), same conf #3199 and phone 1888.622.2918. i am also just north of philly, so maybe the phone/conf # are regional.

Got the "Birthday" letter today (April)...my birthday is in August  ha

Got the same letter, I responded and got 2 free rt airline tickets after listening to an hour and a half presentation on a travel package.  

For someone on a tight budget, it's a good idea to go, listen, don't buy anything and walk away with your tickets.

ttyl,
L

I got the (hand addressed) letter, with Confirmation # 6199.

Happy Birthday Daniel!

In celebration of your Birthday, we are offering you Round-Trip Airfare for Two.  Your Airfares can be used for travel to any major city of your choice throughout the Continental U.S.  The retail value is up to $1,299.00, depending on when and where you decide to fly.  Certain restrictions and fees apply.  This is not a timeshare or land sales, and you are under no obligations to purchase anything.  All we ask when picking up your airfare is to keep an open mind so that we may show you the many different travel services we offer.  We hope that after you see the savingswe have to offer, you would consider us the next time  when deciding to travel.

Bonus:  CALL NOW to find out how you can als receive a $100 Dining Gift Card that can be used at over 12,000 restaurants nationwide.

Please call 1-888-622-2916 for details.

Sincerely,
Beth Jensen
Travel Awards Division

Why don't we all stop trying to protect ourselves from scams like this and start trying to find these people, and stopping them from doing this?

I got the same letter "in celebration of [my] Birthday" from Beth Jensen.  Have called them more than once, and there's always someone answering the phone.  They say the requirement for the free airline tickets is to listen to a 60 minute sales pitch of their travel services.  They do have an office address:  55 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ.  Has anyone actually gone to the appointment?  Curious to know how they scam you (as long as you're not foolish enough to give them credit card, etc. information) - how does the scam work?

Hi Lara -
What about the fees that they charged you?  Have you tried redeeming these vouchers?
Thanks,
Dawn

Not a call, got a hand addressed letter (no return address) postmarked from Augusta, GA.

"Confirmation Number: 2199"

Our name, address, etc.

"I am please to inform you ...(2) Roundtrip Airfare Voucher's...Up to $1,299.00...if you choose to decline...please contact us ASAP so we may issue to to an alternate recipient..."

"205-994-6721"

"Beth Jensen"
"Travel Awards Division"

No company name, "letterhead" looks like two lower case N's, one turned 180 degrees from normal.  It would take about 6 seconds to make with Photoshop.

Phone number is a Verizion cellular, registered in Birmingham AL.

Bad grammar.  Spelling error on the first line.

Obvious phishing scam...

Same letter, same Vicky, same explanation. My question is... has anyone actually gone to the "presentation" to find out the details of how the scam kicks in? Until some brave couple does this and thoroughly documents the results on this site, there will always be a lingering doubt.
Full disclosure: against my dear (and wiser) significant other's protestations, I have actually agreed to attend the presentation, but now, after reading all ofthese posts, I am chickening out and probably won't go.

the letter we received was addressed like this:
-------------------------------------
BUSINESS MAIL - PENALTY FOR TAMPERING | FORM 2009
presorted standard us postage paid west palm beach fl permit 3950
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BETWEEN: (no dates written)
WARNING: THE PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTING OR INTERFERING WITH THE DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER IS A FINE OF $2,000 AND UP TO 5 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
*fold and tear to open*
---------------------------------------



the contents of the letter:
---------------------------------------
reservation notification
us airlines / walmart wal*mart

our promotional department has scheduled you to receive two round trip airfares to a major international airport in the continental usa.

our records indicate that by responding withing 72 hours you will also receive a $300.00 walmart merchandise rebate certificate.

to claim this special offer, simply call 1-866-278-4217
monday-sunday 8:00am-9:00pm

offer number-8612
---------------------------------------


the enclosure (front)
---------------------------------------
$300.00 / $300.00
WAL*MART
merchandise rebate certificate
call 1-866-278-4217 to learn how to receive your merchandise rebate certificate!
monday-sunday 8:00am-9:00pm
offer number-8612

sample
not redeemable for cash   /  expires 4/30/2010
-----------------------------------------


enclosure (back)
---------------------------------------
Big World Vacations
2416 Music Valley Dr
Nashville, TN  37214

Call for details of participation.  approximate retail value $1299.  recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and deposits.  certain restrictions apply.  90 minute sales presentation for travel membership required.  this promotion is not sponsored by or affiliated with retailer listed.  retail merchandise rebates requires a $12.95 refundable processing fee.  rebate good at retailer of your choice.

travel provided by fun planet.
---------------------------------------



i reported them to wal*mart and to the FTC



i did not call the number.

Well, I DID attend the presentation, and Happy to say, there is NOT a scam involved. The presentation was wonderful, a bit canned, but eye opening anyway.  They sell a discounted vacation package well worth the money I believe.  I already have booked my first vacation with them. The marketing material is not sent by Big World, but an outside vendor they buy leads from. It also clearly states that the airline is not affiliated with the company, but people just dont read it that way I guess.  The tickets do not include the taxes, but what does?

Well, I DID attend the presentation, and Happy to say, there is NOT a scam involved. The presentation was wonderful, a bit canned, but eye opening anyway.  They sell a discounted vacation package well worth the money I believe.  I already have booked my first vacation with them. The marketing material is not sent by Big World, but an outside vendor they buy leads from. It also clearly states that the airline is not affiliated with the company, but people just dont read it that way I guess.  The tickets do not include the taxes, but what does?

The "fine print" really isnt that fine...I guess it just needs to be read and not ignored.  I attended this presentation and it was great.  The whole world is not out to scam you.....
This is what the back of my letter stated......

Call for details of participation.  Approximate Retail Value $1299.  Recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and deposits.  Certain restrictions apply.  90 minute sales presentation for travel membership required.  This promotion is not sponsored by or affiliated with retailer listed.  Retail merchandise rebates requires a $12.95 refundable processing fee.  Rebate good at retailer of your choice.  Travel provided by Fun Planet.]

How much clearer can they be ??

I wish people would at least attend a presentation before calling it a a scam.  I Globe is a discount travel provider.  For your time, to learn about their services, they are offering an airfare certificate for round trip travel for two (continental US) and a 100 dollar dining certificate.  Yes, you have to pay the taxes on your airfare (up to 75 dollars) ..

By the way...Gues what the penalty is for tampering with the US Mail ??

BUSINESS MAIL - PENALTY FOR TAMPERING | FORM 2009
presorted standard us postage paid west palm beach fl permit 3950
POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER BETWEEN: (no dates written)
WARNING: THE PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTING OR INTERFERING WITH THE DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER IS A FINE OF $2,000 AND UP TO 5 YEARS IMPRISONMENT


Did you tell the FTC that fact or did they laugh at you.  I cant believe that people like you have this much time on your hands to write letters to Govt agencies, when you are completely wrong...

Total scam.  I would offer to meet them in a parking lot with cash and see how that goes....

HI, BOB, WHY ARE u pretending to be a buyer of this scam. why dont u abmit u actually work for this a hole of a con artist. I was told by your coworker that u write this rebuttals all the time pretending to be a satisfied customer..put you phone number in so we can call u next time. or will u just put down your mom home number.. suckers beware,, bob harrison is here.

So funny that I just happen to google this company and look what I find....A forum of this scam.

I just got my letter today and they make it look legit, so I had to give it a second glance.
These dummies have spent money trying to make these "letters" look nice, but they are the ones who are losing out.

Search Modern Destinations Unlimited and /or Daryl T. Turner and read the 800 notes comments.

just go to the attorney general to stop the gifts of lye's..BIG WORLD VACATIONS..FAKE AND WAIST OF TIME!!!!!!SAME LETTER WILL NOT WORK AGAIN..THE TAX IS MORE THAN THE TRIP IS..

We attended their meeting and my husband who had no intention of even going there finally fell for their scam.As we were getting inside we saw another couple coming out and they told us they joined.I globe wanted a lot of money but my husband offered $1500 and finally they agreed.We have 7 days to get 1/2 the money back.Later I googled and found out it was a scam. Why didn't I google abt them before? I had no intention of joining them other than attending their presentation.I called VNI in Georgia to book a cruise and they have only interior rooms.That too not anywhere we wanted to go. They never offer  rooms with balconies. I asked abt a tour with Globus and their rate was higher than my discount on line travel agency.I went to their Islin , nj office twice and they wanted us to get in touch with customer service in Georgia. So far we got our $750 since we went their within 10 days.I complained with our credit card company and they agreed to look into it.Yesterday we got the letter saying that they cannot do anything more since we signed the contract.Airline tickets are not free.Also you can fly only to certain places within USA. For ex cleveland,Ohio, not anywhere else in Ohio.Ist you have to send  some $14 or something as money order to register., then taxes$75 for each ticket. I threw the voucher.$100 dinner card was through restaurant.com. They have deals all the time and so I did not even bother to try . Right now I am wondering how I can get back my $750. Called BBI and they gave I globe  2 stars, poor review.

I got the same letter as others regarding a Happy Birthday and a confirmation number of 6199. I called the number they had listed (1-888-622-2916) and spoke with a "Marie" who said she was operating out of Atlanta, GA. After going through her rehersed speech, I said that I was interested in what they were offering. She gave me a tentative "appointment" at their Morristown location and even gave me a new telephone number with which I could get back in touch with her if needed (1-877-210-2999). It's funny - there are at least 3 or 4 different companies that list the exact same address & suite number (400) at 55 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ, but none that I could find for IGlobe Travel. I called "Marie" back to tell her I could not find out anything about her company and she directed me to search through ASK.com which sent me to a Russian travel agency. Has anyone gotten any further with them?

I think this may be the same co as reported earlier under the name "Strategic Marketing Solutions," though now it is "Direct Marketing Solutions," the call back no is different, and the signatory is Beth Jensen, Travel Awards Division.  The postal stamp is from Augusta, GA, but no other mailing address or identity.  Doesn't even say why I was "selected to receive (2) Roundtrip Voucher's.  Your Airfare Voucher's are valid for travel to major cities in the continental U.S. of your choice.  The retail value is up to $1,299.00."  Then of course, you have 72 hours to call to get a $100 Dining Gift Card.  Who else got this letter?