Victim Location 48138
Type of a scam Other
On 9-2-20, I received a text from 246423. It said, "Choice Hotels Res Conf# 67107430 for 09/03/20 @03:00 PM at Comfort Inn chh.me_DG0YYyzt Send Stop to opt out Msg&Data rates apply" When I called the 877-424-6423 number on the website, I used a prompt to speak to an operator. After being on hold for 20 minutes, I was connected to a fast talking young woman. I explained that I did not make any reservation, and was concerned about someone taking my identity and making a reservation in my name. The woman said she understood my concern and then immediately launched into a sales pitch. I tried to say something, but she just kept talking over me (as I have heard telemarketers are trained to do), so I hung up on her (they are trained to keep talking until you hang up). So, I called the Customer Relations number for Choice Hotels, 800-300-8800, and after being on hold for about 10 minutes, I was connected to a foreign guy who I could barely understand. I explained the whole story and he said that the woman I spoke to was trained to sell (no kidding). I asked about the phony reservation, and he said he would check (right…). He gave me a B.S. story about someone else making the reservation, and their phone number had different 4 last digits. He then asked for my email and home address to verify who I was. I told him I would not do that, because something didn’t sound right, and that I was going to file a complaint with the BBB. He did not seem concerned at all. I know one thing for sure. I will sleep in my car before I ever stay at any hotel that uses this completely unnecessary and data harvesting third party reservation service.
Victim Location 48138
Type of a scam Other
On 9-2-20, I received a text from 246423. It said, "Choice Hotels Res Conf# 67107430 for 09/03/20 @03:00 PM at Comfort Inn chh.me_DG0YYyzt Send Stop to opt out Msg&Data rates apply" When I called the 877-424-6423 number on the website, I used a prompt to speak to an operator. After being on hold for 20 minutes, I was connected to a fast talking young woman. I explained that I did not make any reservation, and was concerned about someone taking my identity and making a reservation in my name. The woman said she understood my concern and then immediately launched into a sales pitch. I tried to say something, but she just kept talking over me (as I have heard telemarketers are trained to do), so I hung up on her (they are trained to keep talking until you hang up). So, I called the Customer Relations number for Choice Hotels, 800-300-8800, and after being on hold for about 10 minutes, I was connected to a foreign guy who I could barely understand. I explained the whole story and he said that the woman I spoke to was trained to sell (no kidding). I asked about the phony reservation, and he said he would check (right…). He gave me a B.S. story about someone else making the reservation, and their phone number had different 4 last digits. He then asked for my email and home address to verify who I was. I told him I would not do that, because something didn’t sound right, and that I was going to file a complaint with the BBB. He did not seem concerned at all. I know one thing for sure. I will sleep in my car before I ever stay at any hotel that uses this completely unnecessary and data harvesting third party reservation service.