Possible Scammer on Disney Property, claiming to be DVC Member

[nd43]

So you're saying that Downtown Disney should only be accessible to people staying on property? Sorry, but if I live in Orlando, I'm not buying a night at a Disney hotel just to go see my friend's band play at the House of Blues one night.

No, I did not mean to imply restricting access to DTD. I mean they should confirm Disney guests are truly guests when using Disney transportation FROM DTD.

As it stands, anyone can get access to all Disney hotels from DTD without ever being checked. Given they have free access to DTD parking without checks, it is the easiest way to access Disney properties as non-guests at zero cost or checks. Therefore, to me, it is a scammers way to get easy access to hotels. Granted, it is not the only way, but it is easy and cheap.

 

[DizBub]

Let's not forget the famous (or infamous) pizza flyer scammers. Either the guards at the resorts are letting them in or they get access by jumping on a bus at DTD and using the internal transportation to get around. Years ago they checked resort IDs to board the buses. I guess it became at PITA so they stopped. Maybe MagicBand scanners on the buses?

 

[disneynutz]

Let's not forget the famous (or infamous) pizza flyer scammers. Either the guards at the resorts are letting them in or they get access by jumping on a bus at DTD and using the internal transportation to get around. Years ago they checked resort IDs to board the buses. I guess it became at PITA so they stopped. Maybe MagicBand scanners on the buses?

I expect Disney to use MB's for access and queue size reporting.

Bill

 

[Dano1182]

Anyone can use a resorts resturants or bars can't they?

 

[DizBub]

Anyone can use a resorts resturants or bars can't they?

I think the point here is to keep people out that are up to no good.

If you want to get in to eat dinner or have a drink in a lounge you may be expected to pay for parking. I know that if you have TIW it entitles you to free parking and you can get in wherever you want to.....

 

[Dano1182]

There are many ways to get into resort. Including getting dropped off by an accomplice .

I do understand that non guest using tansportation can be a problem.

The most important thing is to always keep your guard up. Even in WDW There are many proffesional thieves ,scammers and perverts there every day.

There are also the ametuer who takes things on a whim.


If approached by some one with a sob story a discreet mention to a cast member is in order. If the person reaaly is in distress they are in the best position to help them.

If not the offender will go away.

 

[happymommy]

To the OP: I think you pretty much KNOW that this was a scam. No one asks a total stranger to pay for their lunch. And nothing she said even adds up.

I agree that your real concern now is your mother. She should have never believed a word this woman said; it just doesn't make sense. Your mom is vulnerable to scammers, and it is a real concern. I would be honest with her and let her know that it can become a serious concern in the future; these people can spot out someone that will believe their story very quickly. They know who has no street sense. Florida especially has many more of these types, as we discovered when my folks bought a home in Florida (more than once, someone claimed my mom's car had hit them in the parking lot while she was in the grocery store - she didn't fall for it luckily!).

I'm glad nothing more came of it, and that you were safe.

 

[schrammalot]

Don't forget that even criminals go on vacation.

You know what's funny? I keep getting scam calls from Lake Buena Vista saying that they kidnapped my sister (HAH, i'm an only child) and that I had to forward them money. I wonder if they're related.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I keep getting scam calls from Lake Buena Vista saying that they kidnapped my sister (HAH, i'm an only child) and that I had to forward them money. I wonder if they're related.

Um, seriously?! That is awful!

 

[schrammalot]

Yeah, my dad's clients have been hit multiple times and one almost fell for it.

Both my parents got calls this morning from the same number. It sounds like it may be a whole group down there.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Yeah, there are just a ton of things about the scammer's story that make no sense and make me 99% certain she was a scammer:

1) If you are staying on property and provided a credit card or debit card when you checked in, then you have a $1500 limit to charge stuff to your room. She could've gotten a replacement key from the front desk and used that to buy any food she needed.

Even if she didn't put a card on file, she probably could've worked something out with the front desk staff. I'm sure this kind of thing happens at WDW all the time. Disney World has 30,000+ on site hotel rooms...i'm sure something like this happens several times a day. There is almost certainly a policy that will enable someone to get access to the basics.

2) The whole point of travelers checks is that they replace them when they are lost/stolen. And quickly. That is the service you pay for when you buy them. American Express would've overnighted replacement traveler's checks. I wouldn't be surprised if she could've gone some place on property to get them replaced without having to wait for overnight shipping...since Disney World is one of the biggest travel destinations in the world.

3) Credit card companies will overnight you a new card if you ask. You sometimes have to pay for it, but if you can't even eat a meal then the nominal fee of probably around $25 is worth it.

4) How does the 19yo daughter, who is auditioning to be a character, afford a DVC membership? She couldn't have purchased before she was 18. So she couldn't have had the membership for longer than two years tops...so...160 points at $130 (I think at the time) is over $20,000.

5) Where was the daughter? She was there to support her daughter, so where was she? Even if her daughter was busy "auditioning" all day the daughter could've gotten away during a lunch break to slip her mom a $20 or a credit card. Or wait until she got out of the auditions in the evening.

6) There wasn't anyone else who could've sent her money through western union? You don't need ID to pick up cash at western union as long as the sender marks the transaction as such. Just the tracking number.

 

[jillmc40]

I would venture to say that if there is ever a good place to get robbed, it is Disney. They will break their necks to help you. This woman was a scammer. I understand your Mom wanting to help her. Maybe stress to your mom that in the future if someone is in need of help, calling an authority/professional to help would be in their best interest. If they don't want that, that should be all the proof you need!

Sorry you had to deal with that. I work in NYC, and I think almost all of my co-workers have come across a story like this at some point in their commute . It stinks that if there really is someone in need you tend to think they are scamming. You just never know!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't forget that even criminals go on vacation.

You know what's funny? I keep getting scam calls from Lake Buena Vista saying that they kidnapped my sister (HAH, i'm an only child) and that I had to forward them money. I wonder if they're related.

I got an email from someone saying they had been robbed in Manila.

 

[maburke]

This woman was a scammer. I understand your Mom wanting to help her. Maybe stress to your mom that in the future if someone is in need of help, calling an authority/professional to help would be in their best interest. If they don't want that, that should be all the proof you need!

I agree. Don't let this be a point of stress between you and your mom. Just help her realize that Disney can provide a lot more help in this situation than she can -- she should offer to walk the person to the front desk and wait with her while Disney helps her call her credit card companies, traveller's check company, reports it to security, etc. Your mom can be there for emotional support for the person. Guaranteed that the scammer would run from this.

 

[eeyoresmom]

OP, just out of curiosity,was the woman really strange looking? I stayed at Jambo last year and kept encountering a woman who was never with anyone else, but I saw her approach other guests, etc. She had an old refillable mug at the time and I saw her all times of day and night in all the public places. I went to the front desk for something and she approached the CM next to us and was trying to reach a "friend" she knew was staying there, but she wasnt sure of the room number. The CM called the room himself (which I don't think he should have even done that ) but the "friend" didn't answer. She then just hung around the lobby. Really bizarre. She looked to be in her 60's.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I agree everyone sounds like a scam... Sad to say they can even happen at Disney :-(

I wonder what would have happened if the OP and her mother took the lady to the front desk, and explained the situation?
This is exactly what my DH would do. Knowing Disney could help her better than we ever could..



Has for the the 19 being a dvc.. I feel age is irrelevant.
She could have inherited it..
Saved for it... No different then saving for a car..
Maybe she didn't want to go to college and use the money for DVC..
Or maybe she was married, and her DH helped her buy it..

There are a number of reason she could be an owner..