Just this past weekend, there were lot's of updates on Cynthia Anderson. Now her husband says he is in control of the trips. What is that all about? Is he a RTA as well? Or is he just an Al Haig wannabe?
Another interesting question I have is how was this group ever booked on Carnival? A senior class trip is not something Carnival encourages and their policies for chaperones are pretty stringent. Unless of course these seniors are over 21 but..nah! Could it be that the RTA did not know the product? Maybe the training aspect of this program is falling just a wee bit short? This will be interesting to see how YTB makes good on this one.
Sheriff's Office joins trip scam probe
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has assigned a detective to investigate the claims of Rutherford County high school students who allege a Murfreesboro woman has scammed them out of $700 each for a senior trip.
In a press release Friday, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said a School Resource Officer at La Vergne High School has turned in multiple reports of students being defrauded of money by Cynthia Anderson of Murfreesboro.
According to Rutherford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dan Goodwin, those cases have been assigned to Detective Todd Sparks.
The press release states no warrant has been sought on Anderson by victims, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office or any other persons in connection with the alleged claims and she has not been arrested.
Students say they booked the trip through Anderson, who is a former independent marketing representative for Internet-based Your Travel Biz. Her husband, Kenneth Anderson, told The Daily News Journal that he has taken over responsibility for the May 25-29 trip on Carnival Cruise Lines.
YTB Chief Operating Officer Duane Vancil said Cynthia Anderson was terminated two to three weeks ago because she was not authorized to collect any money on behalf of the company. He said the company is now working with 20 to 25 students to refund their money.
Goodwin stated the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office understands that the "Murfreesboro Police Department is investigating claims made by Riverdale and Oakland High students."
The sheriff's office release goes on to state that it has an active 2003 bad check warrant against a woman named Cynthia B. Anderson, but it is not known if it is the same woman named by students.
Murfreesboro Police Department spokesman Kyle Evans said he will not comment on the case at this time.
"I will let the police reports speak for themselves," Evans said.
YTB is stepping in to answer John's comment from yesterday's post because YTB was brought into it when the RTA mentioned to everyone that she was with YTB. It is easier for YTB to refund the students and save face as a company then tell everyone that the RTA acted alone.
ReplyDeleteYou have been for days trying to make this a YTB lack of training issue and it is not the case. It is simply one bad rogue RTA acting immorally and illegally without any connecttion to YTB other then the fact that she WAS an RTA.
"rogue RTA acting immorally and illegally without any connecttion to YTB other then the fact that she WAS an RTA."
ReplyDeleteOh I see. So when a traditional travel agent screws up, we're all a bunch of losers. But when a YTB RTA robs 61 kids of the senior trip, it really doesn't have anything to do with YTB or their lack of standards??
Sorry Kate, your argument doesn't work. No one starts a debate with the TTA screw up, it is a response to you people saying that YTB is bad because of a rogue RTA. Believe me, I have posted about TTA's screwups but only to make a point. I do not believe one bit that the actions of a few in any industry dictate that industry, company, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am sure, that that opinion is shared by many of the YTB folks that have posted here, admittedly not very clearly, but likely the opinion.
I don't think it's a "training issue" I think it is a "vetting issue" - it's the "Yale or Jail" thing....
ReplyDeleteCTA in MD
So then, by YTB logic, the TTAs that are doing this are ok because it was not sanctioned by their company?
ReplyDeleteNO, that's not what i said at all.
ReplyDeleteIronic that you used the word logic in THAT post
True-There are a few bad TTA's. And, I bet those so called TTA's who screw up are working by themselves and not affiliated with a host. Most hosts do a background check and a credit check on employees. YTB does not. They take money from anyone and brag "from jail to Yale" when recruiting. They prey on the lower income groups that they can make big money thus attracting people like this.
ReplyDelete" Most hosts do a background check and a credit check on employees. "
ReplyDeleteThis is not true in the majority of instances.
Tom
This is not true in the majority of instances.
ReplyDeleteTom
And Tom would be the one to know who does NOT do reference checks.
I thought you had moved away from travel and were busy scamming seniors for insurance. Or did that whole Dateline thing put a crimp in your business?
I don't think it's a "training issue" I think it is a "vetting issue" - it's the "Yale or Jail" thing....
ReplyDeleteI agree. The host I am currently with required 3 business references and 3 personal references, they did a background check, etc. It took about 3 weeks before I was approved and given a contract to sign.
If YTB were a bit more discerning, and not only require that RTAs havea pulse and a checkbook, they might be in a better place with their PR.