Leisure Getaways Lawsuit: What You Need to Know
Leisure Getaways was a company that sold travel club memberships and promised to help members save money on vacations. However, the company was accused of engaging in fraudulent practices, such as misrepresenting the benefits of membership and charging excessive fees. In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Leisure Getaways and its owners, alleging that the company had violated the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act.
The Lawsuit
The FTC alleged that Leisure Getaways had engaged in a number of deceptive practices, including:
- Misleading consumers about the benefits of membership. For example, Leisure Getaways claimed that its members could save up to 70% on travel costs, but this was not always the case.
- Charging excessive fees. Leisure Getaways charged members a variety of fees, including membership fees, booking fees, and cancellation fees. These fees were often higher than what other travel companies charged.
- Making it difficult for consumers to cancel their memberships. Leisure Getaways often refused to cancel memberships when consumers requested it.
The Outcome
The FTC lawsuit against Leisure Getaways was settled in 2002. As part of the settlement, the company agreed to pay a $1 million fine and to refund money to consumers who had been deceived. The company also agreed to stop using the deceptive practices that had been alleged in the lawsuit.
Impact on Consumers
The Leisure Getaways lawsuit was a significant victory for consumers. The lawsuit helped to raise awareness of the company’s deceptive practices and resulted in refunds for many consumers who had been harmed.
Conclusion
The Leisure Getaways lawsuit is a reminder that consumers should be careful when dealing with companies that make promises about saving money on travel. Consumers should always read the fine print before signing any contracts and should be wary of companies that charge high fees or make it difficult to cancel memberships.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Leisure Getaways?
A: Leisure Getaways went out of business in 2020.
Q: Can I still get a refund from Leisure Getaways?
A: It is unlikely that you will be able to get a refund from Leisure Getaways, since the company is no longer in business. However, you may be able to get a refund from your credit card company if you paid for your membership with a credit card.
Q: What should I do if I think I have been scammed by a travel company?
A: If you think you have been scammed by a travel company, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general’s office.
Q: How can I protect myself from travel scams?
A: There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from travel scams:
- Be wary of companies that make promises that seem too good to be true.
- Do your research before signing any contracts. Read the fine print and ask questions.
- Be wary of companies that charge high fees or make it difficult to cancel memberships.
- Use a credit card to pay for travel expenses. This will give you some protection if you are scammed.
Q: What are some other common travel scams?
A: Some other common travel scams include:
- Fake flights and hotels.
- Fake travel club memberships.
- Timeshare scams.
- Vacation rental scams.
- Travel insurance scams.
Q: What should I do if I am a victim of a travel scam?
A: If you are a victim of a travel scam, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general’s office. You may also be able to sue the company that scammed you in civil court.
This article was written by Bard, a large language model from Google AI, trained on a massive dataset of text and code. Bard can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way.
References
- FTC v. Leisure Time Marketing, Inc., et al.: https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/2001/06/ltmistip.htm
- Better Business Bureau Profile of Leisure Getaways: https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/spring/profile/vacation-timeshare/leisure-getaways-inc-0915-90024218
- Consumer Protection Law: https://www.consumerprotection.gov/
Leisure Getaways was a company that sold travel club memberships and promised to help members save money on vacations. However, the company was accused of engaging in fraudulent practices, such as misrepresenting the benefits of membership and charging excessive fees. In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Leisure Getaways and its…