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Review 9/16/2010
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American Academy of Family Medicine (Francis E. Gonzales) operates a classic TRAVEL SCAM: Here's the modus operandi
1. Offers 50% off or 2 for 1 deal, which is obviously below cost.
2. Tours are marketed as ‘Study Tour to Europe’ and ‘Conferences in Asia’, and offered to health care professionals with offer of CME (Continuing Education) Credits. The Study Tour to Europe itinerary reads like a pilgrimage tour. Mr. Francis Gonzales appeals to religious faith. There’s a spike in the number of victims in 2010 because Mr. Gonzales used the event that occurs once every 10 years (Passion Play at Oberramergau) as a lure for people to sign-up and pay in full way in advance (6 mos to 2 years) of departure.
3. Mr. Gonzales tried to create an impression of trustworthiness and respectability by affixing an MD after his name.
4. Payment transaction is carried out by phone and received by Mr. Gonzales himself. Therefore, the victim does not have time to review the contract.
5. Receipt of payment is sent with a letter stating the travel date, and that the tour includes cancellation insurance, taxes, airfare and accommodation. But terms on the cancellation insurance, airfare and accommodation are not disclosed.
6. Tour participants don’t get updated on the travel status 30 days to 1 day prior to the travel date. During this period Mr. Gonzales and American Academy of Family Medicine aren’t available for irate tour participants’ questions; don’t return phone messages and emails. On the travel scheduled date, participants will receive an email from Mr. Gonzales himself, to advise them that the tour has been cancelled and re-scheduled to a later date for ridiculous reasons.
7. Tour participants who are willing to adjust their schedule to the new travel date will receive another email that their tour has been cancelled and that they will get a refund and $500.00 coupon that can be applied for their next tour. But Mr. Gonzales does not actually refund the money.
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