FROM:
Al Weger, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Al Bender, Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Unit
(408) 792-2568 For Release on February 27, 2003 OWNER OF TRAVEL COMPANY FACES FELONY CHARGES FOR FAILING TO REFUND FUNDS ON CANCELLED TRIPS The owner of Custom Travel, Edward Allen Camp, of San Jose, age 47, has been arrested and charged with violations of the Seller of Travel law. Mr. Camp, who also operated his business under the name San Jose Travel Emporium Inc., advertised travel services consisting of tours to destinations throughout the United States, including a “Grand Fall Foliage Tour” on the East Coast. During 2001, according to consumers who complained to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit, Mr. Camp cancelled tours and failed to refund the money which the travelers had prepaid. Mr. Camp had never registered his business with the Attorney General as required by law. Effective 1996, all sellers of travel that sell, arrange, or advertise air or sea transportation must first register as a seller of travel. Each seller of travel must establish a trust account and deposit into that account 100% of all funds received from any person in payment for air or sea transportation or travel services related to that transportation. If the travel is cancelled, the seller of travel must return to the purchasers, within 30 days of the date of cancellation, all money received for the travel. Failure to make the refund is a felony when the amount obtained exceeds $1000, in any 12-month period, or exceeds $400 from any one person. Mr. Camp has been charged with 11 felonies for failing to make refunds to his customers, and 4 misdemeanor counts for continuing to operate his business during 2002 without registering as a seller of travel. ###
Al Weger, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Al Bender, Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Unit
(408) 792-2568 For Release on February 27, 2003 OWNER OF TRAVEL COMPANY FACES FELONY CHARGES FOR FAILING TO REFUND FUNDS ON CANCELLED TRIPS The owner of Custom Travel, Edward Allen Camp, of San Jose, age 47, has been arrested and charged with violations of the Seller of Travel law. Mr. Camp, who also operated his business under the name San Jose Travel Emporium Inc., advertised travel services consisting of tours to destinations throughout the United States, including a “Grand Fall Foliage Tour” on the East Coast. During 2001, according to consumers who complained to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit, Mr. Camp cancelled tours and failed to refund the money which the travelers had prepaid. Mr. Camp had never registered his business with the Attorney General as required by law. Effective 1996, all sellers of travel that sell, arrange, or advertise air or sea transportation must first register as a seller of travel. Each seller of travel must establish a trust account and deposit into that account 100% of all funds received from any person in payment for air or sea transportation or travel services related to that transportation. If the travel is cancelled, the seller of travel must return to the purchasers, within 30 days of the date of cancellation, all money received for the travel. Failure to make the refund is a felony when the amount obtained exceeds $1000, in any 12-month period, or exceeds $400 from any one person. Mr. Camp has been charged with 11 felonies for failing to make refunds to his customers, and 4 misdemeanor counts for continuing to operate his business during 2002 without registering as a seller of travel. ###