Thread: Worldwise Travel ..fraudulent?

hanna, you are in a tough position. Your father wanted to do something nice for you, and telling him that he goofed can't be good for his morale. Who wants to be told by their kid that they were taken? But on the other hand, you are in some regards his caretaker.

If you have access to his credit card number, perhaps you can get it cancelled through the credit company yourself.

You might want to see what the Georgia Office of Consumer Services can do in this case. Regardless of where the travel agency is, they conducted business in the State of Georgia. I found this on their website:
"OCA works to obtain reimbursement from businesses for consumer losses or obtain settlements concerning companies' future activity. We can issue hefty fines against those who violate consumer protection laws and seek greater penalties where the victims are elderly or disabled. "
You can file a complaint form or call them directly. For more info, check this out:
georgia.gov - Services for the Consumer

Hanna - The credit card company may not even speak to you since it's not your credit card. Maybe you can conference call with you, him and the credit card company and explain that he is 85 and probably the target of a scam and you wish this charge removed as you will be filing charges against the travel company. Thank him for trying to do something so nice for you but that you would prefer to do nice things for him for being such a great dad all these years.

Mindy and Pat, thanks for the help. I'm doing what I can!

We've been through this with our parents, and there's really nothing you can do unless and until they are declared incompetent (legally, not just because you think they are wasting their money). When my MIL died (penniless) she had diamond rings (bought on revolving store credit from a local store), every gadget from every late night infomercial (also bought on credit), and dozens of boxes full of "free" supplies from Medicare (hundreds of "chucks pads" used for incontinent wheel chair patients; she wasn't in a wheel chair and wasn't incontinent). The jewelry store owner showed up when we were cleaning her things out, asking for the rings. He was "carrying" $10,000 in jewelry purchases, and we had seen the paperwork (24% interest when the maximum card rate was 18.9). We never found the rings, and told him to go pound sand, and quit cheating old ladies. But what he did wasn't illegal. She was never legally incompetent.

My wife worked as a geriatric social worker for 25 years, and saw every scam there is; and to be honest, this doesn't sound like a scam. It sounds like an older person bought something a younger person doesn't think they should have bought. It might be questionable from an ethical standpoint for Worldwise travel to use high pressure sales tactics, and perhaps they should refuse to sell to anyone over a certain age. Not sure that would work.

Your father may be able to reverse it with his credit card company, but unless you want him declared incompetent and take over his finances, I don't think you'll be able to cancel it for him. Where is the cruise to, and what line?

Frank, I appreciate your input. I know what you are saying, but I am still thoroughly disgusted with the whole situation. I am going to let this drop here and continue to do what I can. Thanks!

Originally Posted by hanna

Frank, I appreciate your input. I know what you are saying, but I am still thoroughly disgusted with the whole situation. I am going to let this drop here and continue to do what I can. Thanks!

Oh, sorry if I came on too strong! Sometimes I don't communicate that effectively in writing. Re-reading my post, I realize I was too stringent in my opinion. Sorry.

Do let us know how it turns out. I have the same issue with one parent right now, but have resigned myself to helping her rescind things when she requests it. She has remodeled her entire house, with just over $800 a month in SS income, so I do have some sympathy for you. When she passes away, I'm sure it will be a mess to straighten things out.

Originally Posted by fshagan

Oh, sorry if I came on too strong! Sometimes I don't communicate that effectively in writing. Re-reading my post, I realize I was too stringent in my opinion. Sorry.

Do let us know how it turns out. I have the same issue with one parent right now, but have resigned myself to helping her rescind things when she requests it. She has remodeled her entire house, with just over $800 a month in SS income, so I do have some sympathy for you. When she passes away, I'm sure it will be a mess to straighten things out.

Frank, no problem. No need to apologize at all. I didn't take it personally. I really do appreciate everyones input. Sometimes a different perspective is what we all need.

And I wish you much good luck with your parent issue. I know how tough it is.