Scammers Galore

The Free GC

A week ago or so I got a call from an unknown number on my mobile phone. I answered it despite the unknown number because sometimes they're valid calls from people I do know.

So a woman answers and introduces herself (but I can't remember her name now) and says that I've qualified to win a GC for a stay at the Crown Regency hotels. She goes on to explain the details and says that she just needs me to answer several questions. I can't remember all the questions she asked because it all sounded normal to me. I just remember her asking when my last vacation was (both local and international) and where I went as well as my income (which I declined to give). I asked how they got a hold of my contact details and she just said that "maybe" one of my friends referred me. I honestly don't remember any other details aside from that. I was most probably very busy that day and was dealing with a lot of stuff at work so I didn't think much of it. I also didn't sense anything fishy that time because I knew Crown Regency and we went there for the Sky Adventure a few years ago in Cebu. I forgot about the call.

Earlier this afternoon I got another call from another woman who introduced herself as "Andy". She reminded me of the first call from "Daisy" and told me that I had won the GC for a stay at any of their Crown Regency hotels. She rambles on about the details of the prize, saying that it has no expiry date, that I can use it to stay in Crown Regency Cebu or Davao, and that I just need to claim it from their office. So easy! She tells me where their office is and what time I can claim it. She also told me there was going to be a free buffet dinner for us. She also told me I need to claim it by tomorrow. Why? *shrugs* I just told her I'll see if I can make it and told her to text me the details. My spider senses were tingling.

I Googled around and found a bunch of blog entries about them. Then I got the text from "Andy" and confirmed that it was indeed the same scheme being described in the different blogs.

They're called Club Ultima and it looks like they lure people in with these "raffled" Crown Regency GCs. When you get to their office to claim your GC they will show you a 1 1/2-hour video about timeshares, which they will try to sell to you. Some people say you will eventually get your GC at the end of the session. Others say even if you get it you won't be able to use it at all because the hotels will always be fully booked when you inquire and try to use your GC. If you're not interested in getting a timeshare and merely thought you were getting a free GC, then your time just got wasted.

The Privilege Card

A few years ago, when I was dumb fresh grad I got a call from a person from Citi Limits (or something like that). He offered me a privilege card with lots of perks from different establishments because I was Visa card holder. He talked a lot and talked very fast. The conversation went by like a blur and then he was asking me to confirm my details. Yes, confirm, he already had my details and just wanted me to confirm if they were correct. Without thinking I was giving him my credit card details. Dahell was I thinking?! He said they'll be sending over my privilege card in a few days.

After I put the phone down something didn't feel right and I started to panic. I called Jex up and told him what happened. He came over to my office building and helped me. We called up Citibank and asked for help. They looked at my account and there was already floating charge of 5k+ on my credit card. Damn fast scammers! The CSR said they've encountered the same thing before with other clients and told me I can dispute the charge, they can cancel my card, and send me a new one. Thank God for helpful people!

A day or two later the receptionist at our office calls me and says there's someone from Citi Limits with a package for me. I asked her if she can get rid of the messenger because I'm not going to accept the package. A few minutes later I get a call from Citi Limits asking why I wasn't accepting the card. I said I'm not interested anymore and I didn't want it. He said that they've already charged me for it so I should just get it. I can't remember how I handled and ended the call, though, but they never bothered me again.

I Googled about Citi Limits and found a blog entry with the same experience as mine except involving people from Citi Limits with different names. The general situation was the same and other people weren't as fortunate as I was and really got charged 5k+.

Details

Facts

• Club Ultima is a real company
• SMD Marketing Corp. is a real company (I think)

Notes

• SMD Marketing Corp. changes the name of the company that contacts you for their privilege card or whatever they're offering. During my time they called themselves Citi Limits. When I researched a while ago they are now apparently posing as Metrocare.
• Club Ultima and what they're offering you (timeshare) is real. It's just the way that they lure you and introduce to you that's deceiving (hiding behind a raffle for a GC for Crown Regency)
• I'm not sure if Club Ultima and Crown Regency are officially affiliated. If not, then I think Crown Regency better do something to clear their name.

Some Blog Entries

Club Ultima

* I've found entries posted from 2007 up to this year, 2012. Wow.

• http://jaydj.blogspot.sg/2007/02/4-days3-night-stay-at-crown-regency.html
• http://clubultimaphilippines.blogspot.sg/2010/08/club-ultima-is-scam.html
• http://depedteacher.blogspot.sg/2011/03/famous-hotel-in-cebu-offering.html
• http://shewantstowrite.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/dont-be-deceived-my-club-ultima-experience/
• http://pinkmountains.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/definitely-a-scam-club-astoria-crown-regency-club-ultima-and-club-bali-isabel-timeshare-scam/
• http://iamjulienne.com/blog/2012/02/club-ultimacrown-regency-mystery-phonecall/
• http://missbackpacker.info/club-ultima-your-ultimate-scam
• https://www.facebook.com/clubultima

SMD Marketing / Citi Limits / Metrocare

• http://echeblahblah.blogspot.sg/2006/01/be-wary-of-smd-marketing-corp.html
• http://mich0618.multiply.com/journal/item/2/Metrocare_Marketing_Scam_

Protecting yourself from Telephone Marketing

http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/protecting-yourself-from-telephone-marketing?ref=FVwHy

I'm not sure if all the information in the link is applicable to the Philippines but I'd like to highlight an excerpt from the link above:

"Telemarketers often use illegal and deceptive practices such as contests, free prizes, sweepstakes, fake charities and other tricks to seduce older Iowans out of their hard-earned savings. Examples of high pressure sales and suspicious offers include:

• An offer that sounds too good to be true.
• Demands that you "act right now".
• Requests for your credit card number or bank account number, especially for "identification" or to "confirm you have won a prize".
• The caller's refusal to mail you information about their organization.
• Demands that payment be made with cash, check, or by giving your bank account number.
• Claims that you have won a prize.
• Offers for "Credit Card Loss Protection".
• Offers for "Advance Fee Loans" where you're asked to pay fees before you get a loan."

Hopefully this post helps other people out there who are experiencing or might be experiencing the same thing. Remember, Google! And, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.