Orlando man Charged in Theme Park Scheme

[figmentmom]

Chickapin Chick, I'm sorry this happened to you. Let this be a warning for ALL of us, should something similar ever happen again.

 

[Hrudey3032]

Well numerous people were taken by this scam so to call someone stupid just shows true ignorance.This person knew how to work his scam and did a very good job of it .I am just hoping this scum rots in jail for a long time for ruining many families lives.

 

[KCMouse]

I agree with you that with the Year of a Million Dreams promotion, I might have fallen for the same scheme. I tend to feel all too safe when I am on Disney property. In my head, I would think that I would not fall for the scheme, but after reading your story, I might have fallen for it.

Thank you for sharing your story. The one thing I will disagree with is blaming Disney. It is the con man's fault. He was good at what he did and you like many others fell for it. Blaming Disney is not right. I never expect a phone number to be confidential in any hotel I stay at. I wouldn't even consider that an expectation.

I do work for a bank and I see people with Doctorites getting scammed with schemes that I never thought I would fall for in a million years. So don't feel bad Chick, just learn and get smarter for next time.

 

[Chickapin Chick]

I apologize if I stirred up trouble, and I am very grateful to those who offered genuine words of support. I will only say this: it is very easy to blame the victim of a credit card scam if you have never been a victim yourself. One day, however, someone might cleverly pull the wool over your eyes as well, and you will feel angry, embarrassed, and worst of all, foolish. That I was made to be a fool is what I still can't overcome.

I truly wish that this never happens to any of you.

 

[figmentmom]

I apologize if I stirred up trouble, and I am very grateful to those who offered genuine words of support. I will only say this: it is very easy to blame the victim of a credit card scam if you have never been a victim yourself. One day, however, someone might cleverly pull the wool over your eyes as well, and you will feel angry, embarrassed, and worst of all, foolish. That I was made to be a fool is what I still can't overcome.

I truly wish that this never happens to any of you.

Don't feel bad! We appreciate your sharing your story, so that the same thing doesn't happen again.

 

[miles1]

I just wanted to thank Chickapin as well for sharing her story. By doing so you may have helped someone from falling for the same type of scam. I haven't seen anyone from Disney or the Sheriff's department sharing any info about how this happened, so your post may be the only information we get on this.

 

[wdwmomof3]

Given the kind of writing we sometimes see on message boards, I was only trying to paint a more vivid and detailed picture for the readers, one which was enjoyable to read. I'm sorry if you thought my text was unnecessary.

Also, if there was a "do not disturb" option for my room, I was not made aware of it upon check-in, nor at any time during my trip. After this happened (and before I knew that the suspect stalked his victims), the officers theorized that he called the rooms from outside. That was why I discussed with Guest Services my opinion that it was too easy for just anyone to be connected to resort rooms. Whatever the policy is - I heard different versions from different cast members - there is clearly room for a security breach, and I think it needs to be more definitive. And most importantly: Disney is running a giveaway promotion that runs on the element of surprise. Some guests who don't know what kind of surprises are in store would logically assume that they had won something.

Just because I slipped up once does not mean I would willingly give out my social security number. That's not fair.

I am so sorry that this happened to you. With the Year of a Million dreams give away, I may have done the same thing. I do appreciate you for telling your story because it may save one of us in the future from doing the same thing.

By the way, don't worry about the detail to your story. Most of us enjoy the extra detail, it paints a better picture for us.

 

[echoreyn]

Thank you Chickapin Chick for your story. The detail you added helped to describe the carefree attitude everyone has at WDW. In a situation like this, I believe any one of us could have been a victim of this crime. Thank goodness they caught him!

 

[tigfan]

Given the kind of writing we sometimes see on message boards, I was only trying to paint a more vivid and detailed picture for the readers, one which was enjoyable to read. I'm sorry if you thought my text was unnecessary.

No harm done. But I just felt that it was WAY more unrelated information than necessary. You began your post by apologizing in advance for what would be a lengthy post. But the part of the story that dealt just with the scam itself could easily have been summed up in one paragraph. I felt the extra detail distracted from what actually happened with regard to the scam, and I found myself wondering if maybe you were doing that on purpose. Again, no offense. Just my honest take on your story.

Also, if there was a "do not disturb" option for my room, I was not made aware of it upon check-in, nor at any time during my trip.

The "do not disturb" feature of hotels is just one of those things that any hotel will do for you if you request it. But it's not something they're going to tell you upon check-in. It would be like them saying, "And as a special service, we have a maid come in and clean your room every day." It's just basically a given that hotels will do that. They're not going to think to mention it. If you've never heard of that, that's no big deal. I'm sure a lot of people haven't. My point in bringing it up, though, was that you were trying to hold Disney partially responsible for what happened just because someone was able to call you in your room. On Disney's behalf, the first logical thing I would want to know would be whether you had made any requests of them to not put calls through (or to screen your calls, which would have been an absurd request to make). Since you did not even make such a request, I honestly can't see (and others have expressed this too) how you could remotely think Disney had any responsibility in the matter. I'm sorry this happened to you, but ultimately it was you who fell for it, not Disney. Don't blame them.

Just because I slipped up once does not mean I would willingly give out my social security number. That's not fair.

I'm not sure if this part was in response to me or not, but I didn't say anything about you giving our your SSN... so I think you might be mistaking me for a comment someone else made.

 

[tigfan]

That's the norm at Disney. Among many of its antiquated policies, this is one that makes sense.

I actually think it would be great if ALL hotels did this. I have seen it done at some, but it's very random.

 

[unkadug]

nevermind

 

[Crazy4WDW1]

:brick:

 

[VillanovaBlue]

I apologize if I stirred up trouble, and I am very grateful to those who offered genuine words of support. I will only say this: it is very easy to blame the victim of a credit card scam if you have never been a victim yourself. One day, however, someone might cleverly pull the wool over your eyes as well, and you will feel angry, embarrassed, and worst of all, foolish. That I was made to be a fool is what I still can't overcome.

I truly wish that this never happens to any of you.

YOU should not be apologizing for anything...sounds like a pretty convincing little con to me...

I am curious, though as to what kind of support did you get from your credit card company? Did they call you when there was a large charge on the card...did they cover/remove the charges once they knew it was a bogus charge?

 

[bgraham34]

YOU should not be apologizing for anything...sounds like a pretty convincing little con to me...

I am curious, though as to what kind of support did you get from your credit card company? Did they call you when there was a large charge on the card...did they cover/remove the charges once they knew it was a bogus charge?

I think you are responsible up to $50 dollars. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[wdwmomof3]

:brick:

I feel the same way.

 

[J_Krafty24]

I think you are responsible up to $50 dollars. Don't quote me on that though.

Legally (in the US) if your credit card numbers are stolen you can be held responsible for at most $50, though some credit cards may not even charge you that much. Of course you are required to pay attention to your account and report the problem asap.

If your debit card numbers are stolen you can be held responsible for up to $500 - although some banks will choose to lower that amount. Also with a debit card you can still be held accountable for any bounced check fees resulting from the theft.

That is why I most always use my credit card when out shopping and why I NEVER use my debit card over the internet.

 

[raiden]

Thanks for reading this (overly dramatic) post. I look forward to discussing it with you should you have any questions or comments.

If I could have caught this guy before the police I promise you ChickapinChick, I would have beaten the(insert word or words)out of this guy.

 

[goofntink]

Just wanted to add a little more on my previous post and to add to Chickapin Chick post. My wifes Aunt worked with the Sheriff Department investigators and during that time they discovered the info which showed he was a former CM.The gentleman caught actually was also wanted for another scam at Disney from a little over a year ago. He was actually arrested on it but bailed out of jail before they could pursue further charges and prosecute him,and was on the run since. He was picked up on the warrant for that charge in Brevard County in a traffic stop.As Chickapin said he was actually watching for the guests to return, and then would call from the resorts courtesy phones to their rooms. Being a former CM he knew how to get around the resorts unnoticed, and around the phone system, and used it to his advantage.

 

[tigfan]

Being a former CM he knew how to get around the resorts unnoticed, and around the phone system, and used it to his advantage.

How exactly did being a former CM help him to "get around the resorts unnoticed"?

 

[Chickapin Chick]

The "do not disturb" feature of hotels is just one of those things that any hotel will do for you if you request it. But it's not something they're going to tell you upon check-in. They're not going to think to mention it. If you've never heard of that, that's no big deal. I'm sure a lot of people haven't. My point in bringing it up, though, was that you were trying to hold Disney partially responsible for what happened just because someone was able to call you in your room. On Disney's behalf, the first logical thing I would want to know would be whether you had made any requests of them to not put calls through (or to screen your calls, which would have been an absurd request to make). Since you did not even make such a request, I honestly can't see (and others have expressed this too) how you could remotely think Disney had any responsibility in the matter. I'm sorry this happened to you, but ultimately it was you who fell for it, not Disney. Don't blame them.

I'm sorry, tigfan, but you are confusing me. Can you please tell me how I could have requested the "do not disturb" service upon at check-in if I didn't know it was an option to begin with?

For the record, I never said that I blamed Disney. Full-scale blame is very different from partial accountability. You said it yourself: "The 'do not disturb' feature of hotels is just one of those things that any hotel will do for you if you request it. But it's not something they're going to tell you upon check-in. They're not going to think to mention it." Doesn't that maybe suggest to you that they should think about mentioning it? That resort security needs to be tightened up? Also, I already said that Disney hotel staff provided me with conflicting phone connection policies, which naturally confused me and painted them in an unflattering light. Is that kind of misinformation really okay?

Did I demand that Disney pay for my accommodations? No. Did I demand complimentary theme park tickets and future hotel reservations? No. Did I demand special treatment? No. I never requested anything, and I did not contact Guest Services in a fit of rage. Disney gave me a bit of magic by way of those free tickets and accommodations because they believe in creating quality guest experiences, and I love them for it. I love Disney. There is no blame, and I want people here to know that before my words become twisted even further. I merely suggested to Disney that guests are not as protected as they could be. For goodness sakes, this man cased me. He knew what I looked like. He saw me enter my room. He watched me. A strange person watched me. Who, then, is accountable for that? Me?

I wish I could blame Disney as much as you blame me, tigfan, but I can't. It appears that we both love Disney very much, and while I respect that you are quick to defend Disney against anyone who would tarnish their good name, I just wish that you would bestow a bit of that courtesy upon me.