Court orders refund in travel fraud

On Aug. 24, 2004, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon sued World of Vacations in Branson for having sold travel club memberships with false promises. The company promised discounts on travel, airfare and hotel rooms, but consumers were denied the discounts.

“When people go on vacation, they are looking for fun and relaxation- – not a travel scam,” Nixon said in a May 3 news release. “This restitution order sends the clear message that Missouri will not let consumers’ vacation dreams be turned into nightmares.”

Many consumers told the attorney general that they had trouble making travel arrangements with their club memberships. Representatives from the travel company were reportedly not answering or returning phone calls. At least one customer was told the agreement with World of Vacations would not be honored.

In addition, numerous other customers found that they could get better prices when they made travel plans on their own.

The consent judgment signed by Taney County Circuit Judge James L. Eiffert requires World of Vacations and owner Tommy Tran to repay $13,545 to seven customers. Two other customers who filed complaints already have been credited almost $8,900 on their credit cards.

Furthermore, the order requires the defendants to pay $3,000 to the state for the costs of the investigation and lawsuit, and prohibits them from violating Missouri consumer protection laws and laws regulating buyers’ clubs.

The World of Vacations lawsuit was one of nine Nixon filed last August against travel-related businesses. Nixon previously obtained $3,500 in restitution from Tickets For Less. Of the other lawsuits, six are still pending.