Just got a call from 1 877 777 2709

[nvictor]

I'm worried. Somebody's called me. He was talking about a package. Well I didn't understand all of what he was saying because his english was too fast for me. But since I'm expecting a package, I asked a friend to help me by handing him the phone.

She said, they needed my checkbook, so I gave my checkbook to her and she gave them my checking account. It was just after that that I noticed how dangerous was what I've just done. The most dangerous thing for somebody who is studying in a foreign country.

I contacted my bank by email. I told them what happened. I also found similar complaints for people on internet.

Can they withdraw money from my account?

[One]

877 means toll-free. Beyond that I don't know.

[Lychee]

Yes they can. By notifying your bank you've given them warning of any suspicious activity and charges.

Complaints Board | Distinct Advantage (Florida)

CURRENT ALERT:

Suntasia Marketing Targeting Area with Deceptive Calls
Date: November 13, 2006

Suntasia Marketing Targeting Area with Deceptive Calls
Company Saying “You’ve Won a Vacation,” Quoting Personal Info

Spokane, WA. – November 13, 2006 – An elderly woman from Spokane received a call a couple nights ago from Travel Agents Direct. The person calling was named Arthur Holden, and the number displayed on her Caller ID was 877-777-2709, and yet the number the telemarketer left for her to call was 727-683-1112.

When she tried a call to the 877# number, a voice recording stated that “this is a call to which long distance charges apply, please dial “1? first.

The telemarketer was offering 2 nights anywhere in the US, and airfare up to $500 on American Airlines for a shipping and handling fee of $1.95.

The elderly woman said, “NO, I do not give you permission to take money out of my account,” to which the telemarketer said they already HAD her account number. They proceeded to read her CORRECT banking info off, both her routing and account number.

The elderly woman, with her adult child, went to the bank immediately to report this activity, and the bank is watching her account for any unauthorized activity.

Scary, or what? And who, exactly is this company, anyway?

BBB investigations came to find that the long distance number given for this company is directly linked to Suntasia, a marketing group for vacation packages/promotions and long distance service located at 8751 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33771-3832, Web site: Welcome to Suntasia Marketing, Inc.

This company has amassed 160 complaints as of the release of this alert, and based on BBB West Florida files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to failure to respond to one or more complaints and two or more unresolved complaints. However the business has resolved most complaints presented to the Bureau.

This company also has an unsatisfactory record due to a pattern of complaints concerning misrepresentation and sales practices, unauthorized billing and credit issues, refund disputes and delivery issues.

This company has responded to some complaints regarding such companies as, but not limited to, FreeStuffForYou, Imperial Majesty, Paradise Vacations, Membership Services, Capital Travel, Capital Vacations, Two Talk Communications, and Travel Agent Network (TAN).

End of Alert.

[da1prophet]

Google "Suntasia Marketing" and you'll find a ton of stuff about them. They're your basic telemarketing boiler room scam operation....

[Joe2007]

The following information is on Suntasia marketing and its promotions.

The address where ALL the telemarketing calls originate from is:

Suntasia Marketing
8751 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33771
Tel#: 727-471-0276 or 1-800-NEW-TEAM

Website: Welcome to Suntasia Marketing, Inc.

Live calls to your house start with the numbers 727-683-#### or 727-252-####. There are 8 rooms which hold 24 agents in each plus a customer service area. You can actually see what Suntasia looks like on the inside by copying and pasting their website address above to your address bar.

The programs and the companies they currently promote are:

Travel Agents Go Direct (may have changed names to "Travel Life Direct")
Distinct Advantage
Freedom Gold
FloridaWay
Prism Communications

Here is a list of programs they use to promote:

Agents Travel Network
Capitol Vacations
Florida Passport
Travel Agency Network
Teliflex Communications
VersaTalk

ALL the companies listed above have an “unsatisfactory” rating with the Better Business Bureau.

For those who are not aware how important it is to let people know about these scam artists including those in the media, here are some links on news stories that were done in 2006 on Suntasia Marketing and the products they promote like “Distinct Advantage”, “Travel Agents Go Direct”. Just click below and watch a woman in Pennsylvania who was being taken for a ride as well as others they tried to scam.

Consumer Alert: Discount Membership Clubs - KDKA Channel 2

Link:

kdka.com - Consumer Alert: Discount Membership Clubs


“Man Warns About Suspected Phone Solicitation Scam” KETV Channel 7

Link:

Man Warns About Suspected Phone Solicitation Scam - I-TeamNews Story - KETV Omaha


“Telemarketers Using Costco’s Name to Entice You To Buy” KOMO 4 News in Seattle.

Link:

*Telemarketers Using Costco's Name to Entice You To Buy* — KendallWatch

They have not only been exposed by the media but as many as 7 bank alerts in the last year alone were sent out to warn consumers about this scam not to mention a second federal investigation still on going since July of 2006.

If you think if can’t happen to you think again. Remember ALL the products that are marketed and sold come from one place ONLY, SUNTASIA MARKETING in Largo, Florida.

[Joe2007]

Like I have been saying all along, more and more alerts are being sent out by banks, tv new stations as well as the internet about these crooks.

The alert below was posted recently by Members Plus Credit Union warning it’s customers about Suntasia and it’s umbrella companies like Distinct Advantage, Freedom Gold as well as many others.

Telephone Scam - BEWARE!

Members Plus Credit Union has become aware of a fraud scheme which has targeted some of our members. In this scheme a member is called by a marketing firm and led to believe that MPCU hired this firm. They claim that the member will receive free gifts, but that they need to confirm a bank account number. The caller will read off the bank’s routing number, which is public knowledge, and ask the member to provide the account number. The account number can be used to withdraw funds from the victim’s account.

The calls are usually placed from the “727” area code. In the past, this group has used the business names of Distinct Advantage, Freedom Gold, Capital Vacations, and Suntasia Marketing. Members Plus Credit Union has not hired Distinct Advantage, Suntasia Marketing or any other marketing company to call our customers. You should be very cautious of any free offer made over the telephone. Never give out confidential information such as account numbers, social security numbers or other personal information.

End of Alert.

You can see the MPCU posting for yourself by visiting the site below:

What's New

Scroll to the bottom and you will see it.

[Joe2007]

Many people have complained about being debited even before receiving anything. How can they get away with this? Well, I am posting ONE of the scripts the agents use while on the phones. I say ONE b/c many agents there reword the script just to make a sale. I have a copy of a NON APPROVED script. Here is the regular script they normally use. Read below.

HERE IS AN ACTUAL SCRIPT THEY USED OR STILL USE.

When they call people they use this Script.

*Travel Agents Go Direct & Verification!!!!

Hi, (Customers name)

My name is __________ I’m a registered agent calling on behalf of * Travel Agents Go Direct in regards to your bank account. As a valued customer we are going to send you $400.00 in American Airline Saving Vouchers and two free nights of hotel accomodations, just for accepting a 14 day free trial into our *Travel Agents Go Direct program.

This program will give you the same hospitality benefits usually only available to travel professionals, such as discounts of up to 50% on cruises, rental cars and airline tickets. You’ll also receive major discounts at thousands of resorts and hotels nationwide, including Hilton, Marriot and Radisson and you’ll save a ton of money on selected theme park tickets. Your membership will arrive with your own personalized Travel Agents Go Direct identity card.

After your 14 days, if you decide to keep it, it’s only $19.95 a month billed to your checking account, with a one time activation fee of only $40.00. If you decide to cancel, just call the 800 number in your package during your free trial period, you’ll never be billed, and there’s no further obligation, Either way you still keep the airline vouchers and your free hotel accomodations, as our way of saying thanks for looking over the program. So you can’t lose!

Now we will be shipping your package to (Verify Address) is that correct?

How does your name appear on your checking Account?

If different from customers name: are they authorized signer on this account?

What is the name of your bank?

And you opened your account in (Customers City and State)

Now we are going to pull up your information to confirm that everything is correct. Please Hold.

(Obtain the nine digit ABA routing # from Vericheck by your manager)

OK, (Customers Name) I’m going to verify your ABA routing number that’s on the bottom left hand corner of your check book. If you can follow along with me to make sure the numbers are correct. (Confirm ABA Routing Number with customer) Is that Correct?

** Now there will be a symbol after those numbers I just verified with you, please go ahead and verify the next set of numbers, which is your account number.

Thank You!

** Note: ASSUMING YOU GAVE THEM YOUR INFORMATION THEY THEN PREPARE TO RECORD THE CONVERSATION FOR BILLING PURPOSES. NOTICE ON THE RECORDING SCRIPT BELOW THAT THERE’S NO DATE SO YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN YOUR TRIAL PERIOD BEGINS OR ENDS. THE ONLY DATE THEY RECORD IS THE DATE THEY CALLED YOU ON. ALL THE AGENT TELLS YOU IS THAT AFTER TWO WEEKS WHEN YOU RECIEVE THE PACKAGE IS WHEN YOU WILL BE BILLED IF YOU DON’T CALL TO CANCEL. PROBLEM HERE IS THAT YOU NOR SUNTASIA KNOW THE DATE YOU’LL GET THE PACKAGE EXACTLY B/C IT IS SHIPPED REGULAR MAIL. THIS IS SO THEY CAN CHARGE YOU AT ANYTIME IF THE PACKAGE EITHER NEVER ARRIVES OR GETS TO YOU LATER.

Verification Must Be Read VERBATIM.

Thanks for holding, the remaining portion of this call will be recorded OK?? (Must get affirmative, YES, OK, OR CORRECT) I’m speaking with (customers Name) and todays date is __________.

Now we will be shipping your package to (Customers Address) Is that correct? OK. Great ! And I’m showing your telephone number as (read customers telephone number back) For security purposes we need to attach a password to your file. What city were you born in ?

And what is your email address? These will act as passwords whenever you contact us.

How does your name appear on your checking account?

If different from customer name: (Are you an authorized signer on this account?)

What is the name, city & state of your bank?

Now, please read your routing number back to me that starts with a 0,1,2 or 3. Ok, great! Now please read back to me the account number that YOU PROVIDED. Ok, great.

After your 2 week trial period, the program is just $19.95 a month with a one time activaction fee of $40.00 billed to the checking account YOU JUST PROVIDED to us. If you decide to cancel your membership, just call the 800-number in your package. Theirs no further obligation and the airline vouchers and hotel vouchers are yours to keep just for accepting the membership for the first 2 weeks. With your permission we’ll rush your Travel Agents Go Direct card and materials to you and your benefits will start immediately. OK? (Must Get an OK, YES or CORRECT)

If funds are unavailable upon deposit after the free trial your bank may charge you a processing fee.

Now, (Customers name), you qualify for 2 additional packages

FloridaWay UPSELL!!

As a new VIP member The FloridaWay would like to sponsor your first travel agent fam trip. Its called the Fun in the Sun Dream Escape, you’ll receive 6 days 5 nights of hotel accomodations in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You will receive this on a 7 day free review basis. This fam trip is subject to blackout dates of Christmas, New Years & Special Events. These vacations are fully transferable and will be sent to you with a travel date of 1 year from today, which can be changed at no additional charge. This vacation package comes to you risk free for 7 days. If, during your free review period, you do not call to cancel,the promotional fee of only One Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars will be applied to the checking account we have just verified with you. OK? Great. (Must Get an Affirmative, Yes, Ok, or Correct)

Prism Communications UPSELL!!

As a Special Bonus you will also receive a free 21 day trial of unlimited long distance with voice mail from Prism Communications. This has nothing to do with your home phone its in the form of a calling card and comes with a pin number. You can use this service from any touch tone phone at your home or office and call anyone, anytime, anywhere, coast-to-coast and talk as long as you want, free for 21 days. If after your free trial you decide to continue its only $49.95 a month billed to the checking account used today and monthly thereafter, but keep in mind you are under no obligation to continue. If you feel its not for you simply call the customer service number within the free trial period and you will never be billed… its that simple… So with your permission under the terms described your billing information will be transferred to Prism Communications and they’ll send out your free trial in the mail today. OK? (Must get an affirmative OK, YES or CORRECT)

*** Thank you for your time and have a good day/night.

*** Note: You are told to hang up immediately and not engage in any other conversations with the customer b/c he or she might end up asking too many questions.

END OF SCRIPT..

[Joe2007]

Notice a few things on this script. I capitalized some words purposely b/c it lets you know how they get away with charging you. The words are “Now read back to me the account YOU PROVIDED” or “. . .billed to the checking account YOU JUST PROVIDED”. This places YOU responsible NOT them for giving out your information in order for them to have the right to bill you.

Also, with Suntasia there is no SPECIFIC date when the trial period begins or ends. They don't know when you will be receiving the packages and that is where the confusion starts.

On the recording it says:

"After your two week trial period the program is just $19.95 a month billed to the checking account you just supplied to us. If you decide to cancel your membership, just call the 800 number in your package. There's no further obligation and . . . . . . . ."

HHmmmmmmmmmm. . . . Let's see what's wrong with this picture?

Well for starters the word "free" is not found after the word "your" and before "two" even though the agents stress it's a "free" trial before the recording began.

Also , there is no SPECIFIC date when your "trial" (NOT "free" trial) period starts or ends. All the agents tell the customer is that when you recieve the package in the next 7 to 10 business days, your "trial" period will begin two weeks from then. Unfortunately, Suntasia REALLY doesn't know when the package will arrive to them (if they sometimes ship it out at all) and thus the billing can start at any time. It has happened over and over again where customers have complained about being charged, not receiving their packages or they got it very late. Many have been charged even before the package was sent out to them or on the day of recieving it. What is Suntasia's response to these complaints? It's the U.S. Postal Services fault. Yeah, pass the buck will you! Some have been able to get refunds but that's after struggling to get through customer service and it's 3 different phone numbers that ALL lead back to the same place, Suntasia Marketing.

Another thing that sticks out is they tell you to call an 800 number that’s on your package to cancel the travel program but on the second package (FloridaWay) they just say to call and cancel. On the last package (Prism) they say to call customer service # to cancel. Why? Because the truth is that they have 3 different numbers for you to call if you want to cancel everything. The agents are told NOT to give this information out to the customer in fear that they may cancel on the recording. They are also not allowed to give out the customer service number b/c many of them cancel everything on the same day.

When the customer starts asking questions like, “Do I have to call 3 different numbers to cancel everything?” The agents are told to say, “if you have any questions or problems just call the customer service number on your package and they will handle everything”. The customer might ask what is that number and the agent will say, “it will be on your package the day you get it”. The truth is that any numbers that the customer sees on the packages or gets from the agent themselves ALL lead to the same place Suntasia Marketing's customer service department.

When the customer calls CS they tell them in order to cancel the other two packages you must call two other numbers. Again it ALL leads back to the same place, SUNTASIA MARKETING. They do this to frustrate the customer enough so they get tired of trying to cancel thus buying enough time to be billed later.

As for the travel discount card and the 21 day trial calling card, if you don’t send back the travel card you’ll get billed. The calling card has to be de-activated, by you writing a letter to them to do so, otherwise you’ll get billed. Another thing is even if you liked using the calling card (most of us have cell phones so there’s no need for this unless you are that dumb to pay $49.95 a month for long distance), the pin number often doesn’t work at all and you constantly have to call in to customer service to either get it fixed or get another pin number.

This is why the agents are told to add the other two packages (FloridaWay which is a timeshare and the calling card Prism) b/c that is where their profit is made. The $19.95 travel card just covers cost of the regular expenses (lights, security etc) in the company.

Hopefully this will bring you more insight on how these crooks work. I also know what rebuttals they use in case the customer has any objections to the products they sell. I will post those in the near future.

[Joe2007]

This is to let all of you know that the owners of Suntasia have changed their corporate name to Strategia Marketing, LLC. I just happen to drive by their building and sure enough there it was. Same colors and logo as the prior name but it is still the same scam.

The company claims they merged with another one but nothing can be farther from the truth. It is same suspects still running the show. The only reason the owners of Suntasia changed their name is bc of all the complaints. If you look at their Better Business Bureau Report it is full of them. Click below.

Better Business Bureau

Now they have a new clean slate with the name Strategia bc they are not listed or registered with the Better Business Bureau. Same old scam though, you qualify for free gas and travel vouchers or grocery vouchers and they want you to give up your bank information to bill you whenever they want to.

The only difference in this new company as oppose to the old one is that Bryon Wolf, Roy Eliasson and Fred Wolf are managers at Strategia which is a limited liability company. Suntasia was a full fledged corporation with a President, Vice President and so on.

You can view the incorporation documents yourself. Click below.

Strategia Marketing, LLC- Filed on April 26, 2007

www.sunbiz.org - Department of State

Suntasia Marketing Corporation Filing

www.sunbiz.org - Department of State

Don't be fooled bc they are continuing to promote the same product. They are as follows.

Travel Agents Go Direct
Variety
Credit Life
Freedom Gold
FloridaWay
Freedom Ring Communications
Florida Direct
West gates Resorts

Here is a list of programs they use to promote:

Agents Travel Network
Distinct Advantage
Capitol Vacations
Florida Passport
Travel Agency Network
Prism Communications
Teliflex Communications
VersaTalk

Remember it's always a different name but the same scam. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION!

[Elenny]

If you haven't done so yet, it might be a good idea to visit or call your bank (don't email them) and change your account number, since these types of companies might perhaps deduct money from your account a year from now, and claim that you authorized it.

But if you change the account number, they won't be able to touch it.

[nvictor]

I have changed my account number.

[SecretSeven]

I'd cancel your account just to be safe. Transfer your money over to a new one.

[Joe2007]

ANOTHER BANK ISSUES A WARNING TO THEIR CUSTOMERS REGARDING SUNTASIA/STRATEGIA MARKETING'S "Travel Agents Direct" !

The following is from the Associated Credit Union website:

Don't Take The Bait! Watch For E-mail & Phone Scams!

Current Scams

A company called Travel Agents Direct calls members to inform them that they've won free hotel and travel vouchers. They know the credit union's routing number and ask for your checking account number to debit you for just enough to cover mailing you the vouchers!

The company gets information from those who may have purchased products from online marketing companies or infomercials, who pass on the personal information to Travel Agents Direct.

End of Alert.

Like I told you many times before, bank alerts are becoming common for Suntasia/Strategia marketing company. If you want to see the alert for yourself click the link below.

Associated Credit Union - Accounts & Services - Alerts

[Joe2007]

UPDATE:

FEDERAL AGENTS RAID STRATEGIA MARKETING AKA SUNTASIA AND SHUT IT DOWN.

For Release: July 25, 2007

FTC Stops Massive, Deceptive Telemarketer

The Federal Trade Commission, with assistance from local police and the United States Postal Inspection Service, today halted the operations of a massive, Largo, Florida-based telemarketing scheme operated by Suntasia Marketing, Inc. The FTC alleges that over the last several years, Suntasia used at least fifteen different business names to defraud consumers across the United States out of tens, and perhaps hundreds, of millions of dollars. According to the FTC, when Suntasia’s telemarketers called consumers to offer supposedly “free” trial memberships in discount buyers and travel clubs, they deceived consumers into divulging their bank account information and later charged consumers without authorization for a series of negative option programs. With a negative option agreement, a company takes a consumer’s silence or failure to cancel as acceptance of the offer, and permission to bill them.

“The essence of this massive telemarketing scam was simple: trick people into giving out their checking account numbers, send them a brochure on a travel and buyers club, take money out of their bank accounts for as long as possible, and make it very difficult to cancel and get a refund,” said C. Steven Baker, Director of the FTC’s Midwest Region.

Consumers complained in near-record numbers about Suntasia’s practices. In total, the FTC collected and reviewed more than 5,000 formal consumer complaints against Suntasia that were submitted to various law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau.

According to the FTC’s complaint, telemarketers typically began their sales pitch by indicating that they were calling in regard to the “banking account” of their “valued customers,” to make consumers believe that Suntasia was affiliated with their banks. The telemarketers explained that the consumers had been chosen to receive a series of “free gifts,” typically a combination of either “$100 in gas coupons,” “$400 in airlines savings vouchers,” or “two free nights of hotel accommodations.” Consumers were told that they could keep these gifts even if they ultimately canceled Suntasia’s negative option program. These gifts turned out to be laden with undisclosed conditions and restrictions that rendered them effectively worthless. Also, the FTC alleges that the defendants honored the “gift” vouchers only if consumers maintained enrollment in their programs, despite the telemarketers’ promises.

After offering the “free gifts,” Suntasia telemarketers quickly attempted to obtain consumers’ account numbers. They indicated that they needed to “verify” this information to confirm consumers’ eligibility to receive the gifts. Having already pretended to be affiliated with consumers’ banks, the telemarketers now purported to already possess consumers’ bank account numbers. They read consumers their publicly available bank routing numbers, and then asked consumers to “verify” the remainder of the account number from the bottom of a check. According to the FTC, many consumers disclosed their account numbers because they believed they were simply verifying information that the telemarketers already had. The FTC also alleges that consumers frequently thought their account number was being “verified” solely to confirm their eligibility to receive the free gifts, not to authorize any future charges to their accounts.

According to the FTC’s court documents, after consumers divulged their bank account number, the telemarketers quickly began recording a “verification,” asking consumers to repeat the account number they had just “provided.” At the end of the recording, Suntasia telemarketers quickly offered consumers two additional negative option programs, commonly referred to as “upsells.” The FTC alleges, however, that these “upsell” offers were presented in such a way that consumers did not realize they were being asked to authorize the purchase of additional products and services.

The FTC maintains that Suntasia never disclosed key information about its negative option programs. For instance, the telemarketers did not tell consumers the date that Suntasia’s charges would be debited from their accounts, or the telephone numbers consumers must call to cancel to avoid being charged. Nor did Suntasia tell consumers that they would be required to call three separate telephone numbers to cancel the initial program and the two “upsells.”

If Suntasia telemarketers did discuss the length of the free trial period, they represented that this period would begin only once consumers received program materials in the mail. The FTC alleges that Suntasia actually started consumers’ free trial periods on the date of the sales call, however, meaning that consumers often had little, if any, time to cancel Suntasia’s programs without being charged. According to the FTC’s complaint, some consumers did not receive any program mailings from Suntasia and thus had no opportunity to cancel before they were charged. In many instances, these consumers received their first notice of the trial memberships when the defendants began charging them. In other instances, consumers received the program mailings only a day or two before their accounts were to be charged. Suntasia did not provide any consumers with the free trial period that was promised in their telemarketing calls.
The package consumers received in the mail also disclosed, for the first time, the telephone number that consumers must call to cancel. Prior to receiving this package, consumers had no way to contact Suntasia to cancel or to ask questions. The FTC alleges that in some instances, Suntasia proceeded to charge the accounts of even those consumers who canceled its programs. In addition, if consumers successfully canceled one program, they were not told that they still may be charged for two other programs, or that they must call different telephone numbers to cancel each of those programs.

The FTC alleges that the defendants misrepresented their affiliation with consumers’ banks or other third parties, that they already had consumers’ account numbers, the starting point and length of the free trial period, that they would honor consumers’ cancellation requests, that consumers may easily cancel their participation in a program, and that consumers are entitled to keep and to use the promised free gifts even if they ultimately cancel the negative option program. The FTC also alleges that the defendants failed to disclose, or to disclose adequately, the following: that the consumer’s account would be charged unless the consumer takes affirmative action to avoid the charge, that consumer’s checking account information would be used to debit their bank accounts, the cost of the programs, the dates the consumers’ account would be charged, the dates that the trial period begins and ends, the specific steps consumers must take in order to cancel, including that consumers must cancel each of the programs by calling a separate telephone number, and the conditions and restrictions on the “free gift” vouchers that severely limit their value and usefulness.

The FTC also alleges that the defendants debited funds from consumers’ accounts without their express verifiable authorization and express informed consent, and that they did not clearly and conspicuously disclose that the purpose of their call was to sell goods or services and the nature of those goods or services, as required by the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The defendants also allegedly illegally purchased leads containing consumers’ unencrypted bank account numbers for use in telemarketing.

At the FTC’s request, a U.S. district court in Tampa has entered a temporary restraining order that temporarily halts the allegedly deceptive scheme, freezes the assets of all defendants, and appoints a temporary receiver over the scheme’s corporate participants. According to the FTC, the scheme is run by nine interrelated companies that employ more than 700 people. The defendants charged are: FTN Promotions, Inc., doing business as Suntasia Inc., Suntasia Marketing, Inc., and Capital Vacations; Guardian Marketing Services Corp, doing business as Guardian Escrow Service; Strategia Marketing, LLC; Co-Compliance, LLC; JPW Consultants, Inc., doing business as Freedom Gold, Variety!, Credit Life, and Freedom Ring ULD; Travel Agents Direct, LLC, doing business as Travel Agents Go Direct, Florida Direct, and Lucid Long Distance; Agent’s Travel Network, Inc., doing business as Florida Passport; Bay Pines Travel, Inc.; Suntasia Properties, Inc.; Byron W. Wolf; Roy A. Eliasson; Alfred H. Wolf; Donald L. Booth; Jeffrey P. Wolf; and John Louis Smith II.

The FTC received invaluable assistance in this matter from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Largo, Florida Police Department, the Better Business Bureau of West Florida, Inc., and the Pinellas County Department of Justice and Consumer Services.
The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The complaint and temporary restraining order were filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, with the seal lifting today.

FTC Website:

FTC Stops Massive, Deceptive Telemarketer

[Joe2007]

According to Steve Baker, Director of the FTC’s Midwest Region, this is probably one of THE largest telemarketing scams in recent history. They estimated Suntasia aka Strategia made over $100 million dollars, operated in 18 different locations around Pinellas County, Florida and employed 800 employees.

Consumers complained in near-record numbers about Suntasia’s practices. In total, the FTC collected and reviewed more than 5,000 formal consumer complaints against Suntasia that were submitted to various law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau.

You can't keep scamming people and get away with it. Yes I am very happy they shut down this shameful company. See what happens when you open your mouth and start bragging? Bryan Wolf and the rest of those crooked owners were simply just too over confident and cocky that they would never get caught. Well, well, well they finally were. Buying yachts and living the high life off the backs of innocent people. Chalk one up for the good guys.

So now here it is folks. The media blitz is on for what we all now know as possibly one of the biggest telemarketing scams in history. Click on the links below to see the video of the news stories on the feds bust.

baynews9.com - News: FTC accuses Largo company of telemarketing fraud

YouTube - Federal Agents Shut Down Suntasia's $100 Million Dollar Scam

FTC Closes Largo Telemarketer

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/loca...?storyid=59847

kdka.com - FTC Shuts Down Telemarketing Fraud

And finally the big story that was done by investigative WSBTV Reporter Jim Strickland in Atlanta where he confronts the owner of Suntasia Marketing Bryan Wolf and tries to ask him questions about his shameful company practices.

To see the report just click below.

YouTube - Channel 2 News

Sadly there is always going to be other "Bryan Wolf's" out there who think they can get away with scamming the public. I am afraid to say that another "Suntasia" like company is always lurking around the corner but for now we can feel safe that our pocket books are out of the reach from these scam artists.

[Joe2007]

For those who don't know how everything operated at Suntasia Marketing, I am going to link you to a website that gives you inside information on how these crooks got away with this scam for so long. Everything that has been posted here concerning the questionable practices of this company is true. Now hear it for yourself.

Alex Eckelberry is the host of the website SunbeltBLOG where he did an EXCLUSIVE podcast interview with two former Suntasia (aka Strategia Marketing) employees. The two women agreed to be interviewed providing that their REAL names be with held due to fear of retaliation. They go by the names of Stephanie and Carol. Many of the things they revealed I experienced myself but the fact that it is verified by these two women proves what I and others have been posting all along.

They talked about how;

* they presented the script over the phone to the unsuspecting consumer and how the agents tricked consumers by asking the name & city location of their bank so they could pull up the routing number and pretend to have their account #

* they heard other agents (ballers: high sales people) misrepresent themselves by saying that they needed the account number to verify that they had an open checking acount.

* everyone had to use the main key word "TODAY" because that was stating in the recording that they are not being billed for that day, but what Suntasia's agents don't tell you is that the consumer is going to be billed the next day and the next days to come even though it was suppose to be a two week free trial.

* they rebuttaled the person over and over again if the consumer didn't want to give up their account information. The slick wording that was used.

* Suntasia management also scammed the employees when their paychecks were wrong and how hard it was to get it corrected.

* Suntasia doesn't care about your experience and just wanted you on the phone to make sales as quickly as possible.

* they felt the area (company grounds) was very restricted because of all the so called "secrets" between each room that was selling different products.

* the three different offers had three different numbers to call in case the consumer wanted to cancel. Unfortunately the consumer wasn't made aware of this.

* the sales person would claim they were in the shipping department and never would give details about the products being offered.

To hear the entire EXCLUSIVE interview, you can download the Mp3 podcast by clicking below.

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/ihs/interview2d88.mp3

A blank screen will pop up and a little white box with a blue arrow will appear in the bottom left hand corner. Once the audio clip has finished downloading, the screen will show a gray Quicktime audio bar. From there you can click play. The interview is very lengthy but so worth it. I hope this helps you understand how massive this scam was.

[Joe2007]

For weeks, Cory Millican put his nagging suspicions on hold and picked up the phone 450 times a day. What was he hoping to get? "Their checking account number," Millican said.

Millican says he didn't feel right doing it, but Strategia marketing pressured their employees to get the caller's checking account number. They did it, he says, by tricking potential customers with discounts and freebies.

He was very clear about how the scam worked and how his conscience would not let him continue. He realized that the product was a sham because there were people who had no need for the travel or gas vouchers but his manager kept pushing him to do it. If you want to see the interview click below.

MyFox Tampa Bay | Telemarketing tricks revealed

Also Eric Seidel, he is the consumer lawyer for the station did a story on the fraud and illegal activity that went on. Click below to see video.

Sidebar Video

[Fact]

Based on what I have read here I assume everyone will be interested in reading the Court appointed Receiver's report of the operations at Robb Evans & Associates LLC - Temporary Receiver of FTN Promotions, Inc., dba Suntasia Inc., et al. here you will find the details that are very much different then those claims made by the FTC and the media. Highlights include over $10 million in consumer refunds in 1 year and some $24 million in authorized sales cancelled in the same year by the company's in house compliance department. I have never met a thief that would pass up $24 million dollars in authorized sales nor one that willingly returns $10 million to consumers. I also find it interesting that this independent report is not posted on the FTC website, perhaps it was not to their liking? I quess there really is two sides to every story.

[Livgivare]

I hope that there is a way of blocking marketing calls in USA, I hate those calls since I once got a very nasty one. A man was very angry with me and almost threaten me. After that I called the blocking company and now I only get calls where I can tell my opinion and that is far more easy to handle since they don't sell anything.

Love Leelene

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by nvictor

Can they withdraw money from my account?

I'm pretty sure they can.