WARNING travel scam – Email from spirit airlines
August 15, 2008
If you get the following email be warned its a scam, have just spoken to American Express who have advised that the email is scam and they are starting to recieve more enquires about it. Email comes with a attached ZIP file called tickets.
From: Spirit Airlines [mailto:jekc@bosgroup.com]
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:07 PM
To: XXXXX@XXXXX.com.au
Subject: Your Flight Ticket Online N2220232Good day,
Thank you for using our new service “Buy flight ticket Online” on our website.
Your account has been created:Your login: XXXXX@XXXXXX.com.au Your password: xxx9AU2
Your credit card has been charged for $493.24.
We would like to remind you that whenever you order tickets on our website you get a discount of 10%!
Attached to this message is the purchase Invoice and the airplane ticket.
To use your ticket, simply print it on a color printed, and you are set to take off for the journey!Kind regards,
Spirit Airlines
Holidays Uncovered – Click Here!
I got a crazy e-mail from spirit airlines saying they have charged my credit card six hundred plus $$. what credit card? I bought tickets to fly somewhere? (I actually did but through jet blue. I found an 800# and called India. I was yelled at and told off and they claimed to have no way to speaqk to america. finally I said was thqt e-mail a scam? india said yes! i was like do you know what I am saying…scam,scam? I was told to ignore the email after i was asked for my credit card number and full name. I would only give out info. that was on e-mail I received!
Beth, it looks like where not the only ones to get these spam and scam emails from spirit airlines. I was freaking out first that I was charged xxx to my credit card, but I was wary of the exe file that was attached thats what raised my alarm bells. Why would a company confirm tickets by using such a file type..Cheers James
I received this email also, but figured it had to be a hoax (or the likes), as I don’t have a credit card and I haven’t bought any flight tickets.
i HAVE also just received this scam email. I know i havent bought any tickets but it is still very unnerving when it says they have taken $660 on my credit card.
should i delete it or keep it in case theres any further complications? (I didnt click on anything, open anything or respond in any way)
do i need to take any action, is there anywhere i can report this scam, like the banking ones that come thru?
thanks for advice, Jac
Jac thanks your comments.
Looks like you have done the right things.
In regards to your questions – its probably best to delete the files from your PC. The action required would be to ensure that your virus software is up to date to start with, secondly I would file the email as spam in your email program it won’t stop other coming through but its a start. I like to report all suspicious emails through to the antivirus software company I use that way they can ensure that all the software is maintained for everyone.
Most important bit of information I could provide is that you don’t click or open any emails that your think is suspicious.
Thanks again for your comments
James
Want to warn all holiday makers out there of a scan going around by phone although they do have a website in which you can purchase too.
Sun Starz Holidays will ring and offer you voucher packages at a price for leading hotels under Flexi Breaks in which you buy one night and us the voucher for the next night. All sounds above board and they are even registered with an ABN (i checked) Vinstel Global Services.
Well not only is the information misleading ( after checking their website) but you of course do not receive the vouchers. We were lucky as i rang the bank straight away and got the charge reversed and will never return calls.
But I just want to warn everyone.
I worked for this company…I sincerely recommend not to purchase these tickets. The product information is no totally clear and there are loopholes. Also the returns procedure is very bad.
I worked for this company..SunStarz holidays.I sincerely recommend not to purchase these tickets. The product information is no totally clear and there are loopholes. Also the returns procedure is very bad.
This is the number to call to get your money back you will need to call (03) 9854 6358 his name is bruno salvagno (he is the owner) the people that call you are from India. Sunstarz are under the name of Vinstel Global Services Pty Ltd, they are oeprating under Sun Starz based in Melbourne Australia, this is a rip off scam and tell you not to buy anything, if you do you will need to buy a extra night or pay for $50 dollar meals
any comments post back
I think you are misled by some other by the name of Sunstarz Holidays.
We bought a couple of their packages and have found them pretty good. Rather we have also referred few of our friends and relatives and all of them are comfortable with the company and the vouchers that they provide.
The customer support helps…call 1300 669 224 or visit http://www.sunstarz.com.au
They ask you to buy ur breakfast/dinner or pay for 1 night and get another free…but overall its so economical…we have saved 100s of dollars and also our frenz and relatives.
Its good !!
Do not have anything to do with SunStarz Holidays,they are a scam. I agreed over the phone to purchase some vouchers $149. When the vouchers arrived they were not as I had understood over the phone so I contacted them & said that I was returning the vouchers & to refund the money back to my credit card . When I received my gredit card statement it showed that they had taken the money out of my account twice( $298) .I keep calling them , they have acknowledged that they have received the vouchers back but they always have an excuse as to why they have not returned my money or my phone calls. They have since refunded one ammount of $149 but after 4 months they have still not refunded the other $149. SO BEWARE
All the holiday companies is scam!!!!!!!! so dont buy anything over the phone even if they give their details coz all the details are fake.
Thanks for sharing I think there are few people who have been stung here.
Just to add to the Sunstarz Holiday Scam…I too have been stung. I bought the vouchers in December over the phone and did receive them. However when it came to use them, most of the hotels listed no longer honoured the vouchers and those that did suddenly hiked their nightly rate to double, so therefore you were actually out of pocket. I have rang numerous times, the 1300 number was a false one and actually was diverted to a residence. Finally under the advice of Flexi breaks, I contacted Bruno, after many messages left, and was asked to send the vouchers back and I would get a refund. Guess what???? No refund and no vouchers. The worst thing is that I had recommended them to friends and they bought the vouchers too, on the knowledge that I had…..how embarrassing.
Now I am a single parent and was just looking forward to an affordable holiday with my two children….just ripped off….again…..
Thanks for sharing looks like another horror story from Sunstarz.
Looks like we have also been stung by Sunstarz. My hubby bought the vouchors by phone as soon as they arrived we found they were nothing like they claimed. I have returned them registered post and still waiting to hear from them. They even rang one night and tried to sell to some more to the kids or get some names to sell to.
I have tried to phone them several times and have emailed them. So I guess I try visa or fair trading next otherwise they will still keep ripping people off.
Michelle M
Thanks for letting us know Michelle as you can see from the comments there are other that have been stung. I would suggest going directly to your state office of fair trading. I think we will split this post from the orginal scam as its seems the sunstarz complaints are coming in thick and fast! Best of luck James
Well theres a reason for everything, I do understand the feeling of others who thought Sunstarz Holidays is a scam, but I cant forgive myself If I wont disagree…I have known many people who already got their vouchers and already used some of it to the properties that are affiliated by Sunstarz Holidays, they even used it to New Zealand… I just think that they dont understood the package correctly,..Better understand first what they are offering to you before purchasing…Sunstarz offers you to save money for your accomodation…
i can say only one thing..MAYBE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT SUNSTARZ HOLIDAYS DONT KNOW HOW TO USE IT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE PACKAGE CORRECTLY BEFORE THEY PURCHASE IT..BUT I HAVE KNOWN MANY PEOPLE WHO ALREADY GOT THEIR VOUCHERS AND THEY ARE ALREADY USING IT…AND THEY SAID THAT THE OFFER IS PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE THEY CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO THEIR ACCOMODATION…SO CAN YOU PLS STOP POSTING A COMMENT REGARDING SUNSTARZ HOLIDAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SCAMMERS..!!!
I’ll give you the facts and let you decide if it’s a scam.
The flexibreak promo allows you to stay 2 nights in a hotel and pay 1 night only.
BUT the price of 1 night is specified in the flexibreak brochure. You are not to pay the actual rate being published by the hotel.
EXAMPLE:
Metro Hotel in Sydney – $130 per night ($260 for 2 nights) based on their website or if you call them
FLEXIBREAK rate – $280 for 2 nights stay, based on their brochure, claiming 2 night is free
So I ask you now, by using the voucher, are you saving some money? Are you really having one night free accomodation?
correction on my post above:
Flexibreak claims they provide 1 night free accomodation (above I mistyped 2 nights)
EXAMPLE:
Metro Hotel in Sydney – $130 per night ($260 for 2 nights) based on their website or if you call them
FLEXIBREAK rate – $280 for 2 nights stay, based on their brochure, claiming 1 night is free
oh by the way … when they are selling the vouchers … they don’t tell you have to pay for one night … they just say a voucher gives you 1 free accomodation
I too have been stung i purchased my tickets in Jan and still have received my refund
I spoke to Bruno over the phone and advises that I will get my refund and that was 2 weeks ago, his remark was that the sales people in India be didn’t understand the package. I was told that if you did not want to pay for an extra night all you have to do his do the meal deal and just buy a bottle of wine thats not true I explained to Bruno that this false information.
I also advised that I don’t receive my refund I will get dept of fair trading to deal with this but this did not concern him. I am so angry that I have spent $298 and purchased 2 lots this scam needs to be stopped.
There is a cooling off period and we should be able to receive our money back if everyone contacts the Department of fair trading in Melbourne the no is 1300-558-181 they will help you to take it further, free of charge. The more complaints they have my might have a chance to put a stop to this and get our money back.
Sunstarz is a SCAM!!! The reason being is that the salesperson over the phone does not state at any time that you have to pay for accommodation. It is misleading and fraudulent and It is a CON. I have already rang VIC Dept of Consumer Affairs and i suggest anyone who has also been stung by this business should do the same. They need to be stopped. They hassalled me for my family and friends names which i am so pleased i didn’t. A few days later the same salesperson called again to try and talk me into buying a new mobile phone. BEWARE OF SUNSTARZ. I am kicking myself…if it sounds too good to be true..it is!
Hey Guys think before you do something sunstarz is not scam it has saved my harden money try to understand them don’t blam
Thanks for your comment Liz you are correct in regards to pushing on the cooling off period, also I would recommend that if anyone does have any concerns to how how they were sold the product, give your local fair trading office a call for advice and to register your complaint.
What time frame are we looking at for the “cooling off period” as i did not receive my vouchers til almost 4 weeks after purchase.
What annoys me, is that I’m repeatedly receiving sales calls from these jokers – despite being listed on the Australian Do Not Call Register.
I encourage anyone else receiving these annoying calls to log an official complaint with the DNC Register authority (https://www.donotcall.gov.au/).
susie the cooling off period is 21 days after you have recieve the vouchers..
guess what ring ing and leaving messages to speak to bruno i finally recieved my refund after 4 months… keep ringing them up until they get sick of your calls. or ring dept of fair trading dept in melb they were very helpful they also said they we have th e right to get our money back if you contact them before the cooling off [period.
good luck..
SunStarz is a scam. Anyone who says their not are working for the company! You think its hard to post on this forum and say their innocent OMG!! they created a website, ABN and call center . For them this is a walk in the park. Its a SCAM …full f@#cken stop.
Hi,
I booked $149 ( 7 Nights package ) I even used it its really worth of buying u can save ur money when u go on holidays….
I paid for 7 nights accommodation for $149.00, and the deal was to pay for a couple of meals.
There is no such deal. I rang a few of the Hotels in Victoria, and some have never heard of Sunstarz holidays, or their vouchers scheme I have rung Sunstarz office # everyday at least 6 to 7 times.
They never call back. They tell lies. They say they will call back in an hr and never do so There is no free accommodation It is a scam.
I have filled a report to Victoria’s consumer affairs. Why don’t all of you go onto the consumer site and file a complaint ,? Otherwise we are letting these people get away with all this.
They are robbing people blind.
They are still operating, they were trying to get me to commit to their 7 night $149 plan a few minutes back, the funny thing is as they were trying to get me to agree to giving out my visa details (which I didn’t), I was reading through all the posts on this thread
Don’t let them con you, never give out your banking details to anyone who contacts you thou email or phone, doesn’t matter who they say they are.
Get them to post out any info to you before you decide to do anything with them, and check other people’s feedback also, just like that which is given here
SUNSTARZ HOLIDAYS is definitely a SCAM I payed over the phone for tickets on the 25th November have received nothing,sent an email which came back,rang no answer. Rang the number in an above email for the owner Bruno Salvagno but he is the scammer.Lets make the complaints where they will do the most good and get this guy and those desperate to sell their souls for a crust stopped.Today /tonight or other media could be a good start.
SUNSTARZ HOLIDAYS is definitely a SCAM I payed over the phone for tickets on the 25th November have received nothing,sent an email which came back,rang no answer. Rang the number in an above email for the owner Bruno Salvagno but he is the scammer.Lets make the complaints where they will do the most good and get this guy and those desperate to sell their souls for a crust stopped.Today /tonight or other media could be a good start.please show this.
Thanks for the comments on ’sunstarz’. My wife rang me yesterday at work to say she recieved a call from these guys and she was thinking about going ahead with a package and it sounded really good. Thankfully she called me first and after a bit of googling it indeed sounds like a scam. So luckily we will save our $$$ this time!
Sun Starz Holidays alias Vinstel Global Services
I am also on the do not call register. If they waste my time, I waste their time. I kept Peter from Sun Starz Holidays on the phone for 16min and 30 sec before he finally got the message and hung up. This is a warning to all telemarketers out there. You phone me up and I’ll lose you sales by stalling on the phone, and your staff will need psychological counselling after I’ve finished with them. This is because I confront all telemarketers with the complaints about their companies. This warning also applies to Telstra who recently got fined to ignoring the do not call register.
I have also been stung. How can I get a refund of my $149????????
Can you get in direct company with the company, on final resort I would revert to office of fair trading.