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Friday, March 29, 2024

Pennsylvania alleges Philadelphia travel agencies violated consumer protections

Travelagency

PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced a lawsuit against Philadelphia travel agencies, alleging violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

The state is suing the businesses operating under the company names Fly America, Fly American, Africano Travel Services and Fly USA Travel, alleging failure to deliver airline tickets consumers had purchased.

The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection received multiple complaints related to these companies’ and their owner’s business practices, the suit says. Mohannad Samara is president of the companies, which all formally operate out of 2338 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.

Consumers reported paying for accommodations or plane tickets only to never receive them, and Samara’s companies failed to refund any undelivered tickets, the lawsuit states. Some consumers even got all the way to the airport on the day of their trip only to learn their tickets had been canceled, the suit says.

Kane’s office will seek restitution for consumers, as well as permanently enjoin the defendants from violating the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The lawsuit would require a $1,000 payment by the defendants for each violation and a $3,000 payment for each violation involving a consumer older than 60.

Kane’s office encourages consumers wishing to use a third party travel agency to visit the Better Business Bureau’s website to seek company and research information.

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