Getting Something for Nothing does not exist

Netizens, let’s practice some cleverness and be aware of false promises! Okay.

If you get a call from a Brendon or Brandon Mabasa who allegedly is a person working for Breakaway Communications, and he calls you on behalf of LVC (Lifestyle Vacation Club) from number 087 805 2350, please do not fall into the trap of believing you’ve actually being given a FREE 7-day holiday (all expenses paid except travel) for doing absolutely nothing!

1. Breakaway Communications does not exist in SA or is trading as another entity altogether. There is a marketing and PR company with the same name based in the States and should not be confused with the above-mentioned company.

Brandon told me that my cell number was randomly selected to win a complimentary voucher which entitled me to a ’7-day holiday for 4 people’. He said this was not part of any competition and that I didn’t need to do anything but show up at his offices with proof of ID, enjoy a hearty lunch and collect my voucher for the holiday.

2. According to Brandon, Vodacom and other mobile service providers have provided his company with mine and many others’ cellphone numbers. Apparently the “We will not sell your details to third parties” clause did not apply to my number when I signed up for it almost 10 years ago…

I thought that all South Africans needed to get their SIMs RICA-compliant in a bid to prevent fraudulent cell numbers from being circulated. Why is it then that the 087 805 2350 number which Brandon called me from is still being used to scam people, and has done so since 2008, according to HelloPeter entries about the same holiday points/timeshare scam?

3. Brandon has told me to come claim my voucher for the supposed “7-day holiday getaway for 4 people” on Friday at 12 noon at Office 216 on the Second Floor of the Design Quarter in Fourways.

However, alarmingly or not so in my case, I called DQ’s Centre Management Office this morning and according to CMO, office 216 does not belong to a company called Breakaway Communications or “LVC”, but is the official premises for a company called Terramarique, which just happens to sell ‘holiday points’ to make its living.

Can you see an ‘aha’ moment forming in the clouds at this point?

The strange bit is that the woman at DQ’s CMO told me that Terramarique is only set to re-open its offices in February, and is closed at present. This she said is the reason for Terramarique’s office number, as is listed on DQ’s website, being engaged or not working when you dial through to their office (0114675223). Telkom has actually listed this number as “no longer being available” and does not list a new number for the business.

Now that you have some of the facts, you can choose to make your mind up on whether or not to dilly-dally with scammers who call you out of the blue.

Please Note: I accept no responsibility for the way the information provided may be used in a court of law or in any civil action suit that may arise against the above-mentioned companies. I merely wrote this piece to make the public aware of the unethical marketing and promotion of “free-for-nothing” products and services that are being used to dupe people into timeshare schemes.