Free-vacation offer draws state attorney general penalties

A Florida company that brought its alleged free-vacation scam to hotels in White Plains and Newburgh has agreed to pay a $22,500 penalty and restitution to misled consumers in a settlement announced Wednesday by state Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.

Schneiderman said his office investigated Vacation Tours USA Inc. and its principals, Henry J. Armand and Tony J. Armand, over a false advertising scam that targeted consumers across the state.

The attorney general”™s office said the company sent letters to consumers telling them they had won a vacation package, including airfare and lodging valued at up to $1,398, and gave a claim number and telephone number for recipients to call to claim their prize. Callers then were told they must attend a seminar at a local hotel in order to claim their tickets and lodging. Once at the hotel, they were subjected to a sales presentation by a third-party company instead of being given vouchers for free airline tickets and hotel stays, according to investigators.

New Yorkers who might have been victims of the Vacation Tours scam can contact the state attorney general”™s office at 800-771-7755 or 607-721-8771.