I have belonged to TSN since 2002 and actually used them several times and everything was fine. However, I just went to plan another trip (the last one in 2013) and they do not seem to be in existence anymore. They operated as TSN and then Star Vacation and I actually booked trips that went fine before. What has happened? Now I'm reading all this stuff about fraud and scam and I'm totally bewildered.

Unbelievable! I managed to find at least 12 related complaints on Google about this company, its many agency representatives (other companies that funnel money to Travel Service Network), or affiliated companies (Infinity Incentive Group). They have operated under the name of Travel Service Network, TSN Travel, 123Free Travel, and many, many, more. They've taken (s**kered) consumers in the states of AZ, MO, IL, FL, TX, and many more to now include CA. I might be the first CA residence who has caught on to their scam. They are operating as Star Vacation Club in San Diego, CA.

Let’s take a step back and explain the events leading to today’s email. Like some of you, I received the typical marketing call guaranteeing a prize, in this case 1 of 5. I attend the sales presentation that promises club membership with too many good benefits to be true. I fall for the scam and we start talking price. Membership starts out costing me $8,500 (discounted from the standard price of $10K) and is dwindled down to $2,295 because I get sticker shock. After charging my card and having me sign several agreements, they give me a scratcher with a “lucky” penny to help reveal one of the 5 prizes I’m guaranteed to win. I scratch and say "darn" because it's not the Cadillac Escalade. It’s a voucher from Infinity Incentive Group for a free vacation, the voucher scam that hit some Complaints.com complainants.

Everything in the information package that I received after being duped out of $2,295 this evening showed the name of Star Vacation Club, even their member website (starvacationclub.com). Notice the similarity to Travel Service Network's site (tsntravel.com), of whom some of the Complaints.com complaints are directed. Everything showed Star Vacation Club, except the sales receipt which showed Travel Service Network. So, I got home and noticed this and said "huh?"

That's when the online research ensued and I’m just dumbfounded by the amount of activity this company has been engaged in. Several BBB chapters show unfavorable ratings for this company and some of its “affiliates,” as well as numerous documented court cases brought on by state attorney generals.

The San Diego Better Business Bureau has no complaints filed on record. Even though the San Diego BBB shows this company's file open in 2002, the sales person told me that they opened up shop three months ago, maybe too early for victims to be the wiser.

I’m going to follow Star Vacation Club’s three day cancellation policy written in the agreement. I expect that they’ll give me the standard run around Illinois consumers received by Travel Service Network .lip service and no refund. I’m prepared for that. My credit card company will be informed not to pay that charge and I’ll show good faith by following their cancellation policy. By the way, I’m not going to submit the travel voucher. Fool me once, and thanks to some of you, not twice.

I hope to prevent other Californian’s from being duped too. A complaint was filed with the CA State Attorney. I’ve filed a scam report with the Chicago BBB in hopes that they’ll share their information with the San Diego chapter. I’ve filed a consumer fraud alert with the local TV station to investigate them, hopefully on the air. And finally, I’m educating ya’ll here who helped me realize how stupid I was. By the way, thank you to the folks at Complaintsboard.com for an availing this forum to us.

Star Vacation Club also operates at Silver Lakes Vacation Club, supposedly an RCI Points Resort, in Helendale, CA. If one checks out on the BBB site, you will find a red alert for Silver Lakes Vacation Club. They were supposed to transfer some of our equity in another Timeshare as part of the contract, which would relieve us from responsibility in that one. This was never done, and at the moment, we're gathering more facts about the contract- I'm sure it was never recorded as a deed. Beware!!