Caller Type: Unknown
Phone Number Owner: Representative wCorp ID KD7780 and Michael Simmion
Phone Number Report: Political Opinions of America called me to take a three question 30-second survey in exchange for a free 2-day, 2-night cruise for two or three people to the Bahamas. After the automated survey, a live operator from Tampa, Florida, claiming to be with Caribbean Cruise Lines, came on and offered me a cruise to Grand Bahamas Islands to be taken anytime within 18 months except 12/24 -1/4, in an inside stateroom with all meals and entertainment included, allegedly for just the price of my port fees paid to the US government of $118 (supposedly instead of the normal $129) payable immediately by credit card over the phone.
When I asked how I could be sure that the charge was going to port fees, I was transferred to a sales manager who told me that an independent verification company would confirm the transaction while I was still on the line. I don't know why I should trust someone claiming to be an independent verification company of their choosing.
When I noted that I am on the National Do Not Call Registry, the sales manager said that Caribbean Cruise Lines doesn't call anyone. He explained that they are used as an incentive for people to complete surveys and they receive payment from the survey company whether or not the customer takes the cruise.
He also said that Caribbean Cruise Lines does this to fill empty cabins and market their cruises.
I did not pay them anything and I suspect that they are a group of fraudulent businesses. I also suspect that they use several phone numbers to evade government authorities that are supposed to stop businesses like these. Although the first representative I spoke with said she was in Tampa, the phone number they called me from is registered in Seattle Washington.
During the call, the boiler room atmosphere of the office from which the callers were speaking was audible in the background. I could hear voices pumping each other up to talk people into taking their deal.
