Travel Resorts of America Lawsuit

Resorts of America is accused of EFT Act violations in this class action. They involve the company’s unlawful bank deductions after members cancel. Key players are: Former resort guests complain of excessive fees. Travel Resorts of America forged bank withdrawals.

The EFT Act protects consumers against unlawful electronic deductions. Electronic Funds Transfer Act infractions are the core of the lawsuit. Plaintiffs demand interest, legal costs, and reimbursement for improper payments. They want an injunction to stop Resorts of America from violating EFTA.

Travel Resorts of America Lawsuit explanation

The lawsuit against Travel Resorts of America is primarily centered around allegations of misleading advertising and inadequate facilities. Consumer legal action suggests that Resorts of America, also known as TRA, used deceptive marketing techniques. These tactics left consumers frustrated, leading to the lawsuit.

Key among the allegations is the issue of unauthorized payments. TRA is accused of violating the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. This act prevents companies from enrolling consumers in auto-payment plans without their express consent. However, according to the lawsuit, TRA did exactly that. As a result, many consumers found unexpected deductions from their bank accounts. This led to a collective decision to pursue legal action against the company.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time TRA has faced such allegations. In 2017, they settled a similar case for $1.5 million. This current lawsuit not only seeks damages for unauthorized payments but also aims to prevent TRA from violating the Electronic Funds Transfer Act in the future.

Parties involved

On one side of the ring is Travel Resorts of America, a popular resort group that, unfortunately, found itself at the center of a class action lawsuit. This case was filed against them at the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, placing them in the defendant’s seat.

On the other side, we have the plaintiffs—the alleged victims of Resorts of America’s actions.

The cause of action

1. Misleading Advertising: Customers accuse Travel Resorts of America of false promises. They claim the resort falsely advertised its amenities, leading to unsatisfactory experiences.
2. Unauthorized Deductions: The second part of the lawsuit revolves around unauthorized deductions from customers’ bank accounts. Customers allege that Travel Resorts of America enrolled them in auto-payment plans without their consent.
3. Canceling Memberships: The complication doesn’t stop there. Customers report having trouble canceling their memberships due to these unauthorized auto payment plans.

Relief being sought

The plaintiffs aren’t just after monetary compensation. The lawsuit against Travel Resorts of America seeks resolution for affected members who experienced unauthorized deductions from their bank accounts. Damages include unauthorized payments, interest, and attorney fees.

This class action lawsuit aims to stop the Resorts of America from further violating the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The EFTA protects consumers from unauthorized electronic fund transfers, and the plaintiffs allege that the company violated this Act.

In addition to damages, the plaintiffs are also seeking attorney fees. The plaintiffs feel that since the company is allegedly wronging them, they shouldn’t be responsible for the high costs of litigation.

Key events and timeline

The key events unfold as such:

1. Unauthorized auto payment plans: The lawsuit accuses Resorts of America of enrolling customers in auto payment plans without their explicit consent, a clear violation of EFTA.
2. Cancellation difficulties: Alongside the unauthorized payments, the lawsuit highlights the struggles customers faced when trying to cancel their memberships. The company allegedly made it unduly challenging for clients to exit their plans.
3. Previous Settlement: It’s worth noting that this isn’t their first encounter with legal trouble. In 2017, the company faced a $1.5 million settlement for similar violations.

Key arguments

Travel Resorts of America is accused of several significant EFTA violations, including misleading advertising, misrepresented amenities, and unauthorized bank deductions even after membership cancellations.

Allegedly, the Resorts of America lured unsuspecting consumers with promises of luxury amenities and exclusivity, only to disappoint with reality. The company is also accused of enrolling customers in auto payment plans without their explicit consent, a direct violation of consumer rights and the EFTA. These automatic deductions continued even after cancellation requests, causing financial stress for many.

Current status

As of now, the plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed the class action lawsuit. This move came about in June 2016, closing a chapter that was thick with allegations of unauthorized deductions from consumers’ bank accounts, high-pressure sales tactics, and failure to respond to legal complaints.

Implications

The implications of the lawsuit against Travel Resorts of America go beyond the courtroom, shedding light on deceptive business practices and the critical importance of transparency in the travel industry. This legal battle reveals how the Resorts of America made false promises to their members, leading to unsatisfactory vacations due to the misrepresentation of amenities.

These deceptive practices at TRA illuminate the need for honesty and integrity within the travel industry. Members entrusted their vacations to TRA, only to be met with disappointment.