Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against GVN Michigan Inc. for misrepresentations to customers in order to sell travel memberships.
The lawsuit accuses GVN Michigan, which is affiliated with Global Vacation Network and Global Connections Inc., and Global Connections of allegedly violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, including failing to disclose exclusions and limitations in ads, violating the prize rule, making misrepresentations and failing to comply with an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance.
“We do not tolerate blatant violations of Ohio’s consumer protection laws, and this operation has routinely used advertisements that deceive and confuse consumers,” DeWine said. “Telling consumers they have won an award or prize when they really haven’t is deceptive, and we are taking action to hold these businesses accountable.”
GVN allegedly solicited Ohio consumers to attend sales presentations in order to sell Global Connections travel memberships. The solicitation mailings sent to consumers offered awards such as two round-trip airline tickets or an eight-day cruise with airfare. Another letter appeared to be a notification to pick up a new tablet. These prize vouchers fail to disclose that consumers would be required to pay additional fees to receive the prizes and attend a 90-minute sales presentation.
In addition to ending the company's alleged deceptive practices, DeWine wants to obtain restitution for consumers and civil penalties.