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ELGIN, Ill. — In a developing investigation, the ABC7 I-Team is delving into another case of alleged deceit by a travel agent. The latest to come forward is a woman claiming she is owed over $10,000, joining a growing list of victims.
The travel agency owner is facing accusations of accepting substantial payments from clients and then shuttering her business before the scheduled trips could occur.
This situation has attracted the attention of both the Illinois and Georgia Attorneys General, who are now involved in the case.
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An Elgin resident has reported that her planned Dubai vacation was abruptly canceled by the agency last year, and she is still awaiting a refund.
Virginia Gasber, who is retired, has always sought out opportunities to explore new destinations around the globe.
“I’ve been to Australia. I’ve been to the Caribbean,” Gasber said. “Seeing new sights, doing new things.”
Gasber came across a travel agency, called Ladies & Luggage, on Facebook, advertising an unforgettable trip to Dubai in the name of sisterhood, with 20 women. She says the owner, Dacia Woods, had apparently planned other trips for large groups in the past that were said to be successful. They had several meetings about the upcoming Dubai trip via zoom.
“She was able to answer questions, she put things out there that we were going to do and plus she posted other things like other people that went on trips with her and what their reactions and what fun they had,” Gasber said. “I’m feeling like my money was going to be in her capable hands.”
Gasber says she made payments leading up to the trip, totaling more than $10,000. But she says a week before her big vacation, she received an email from the owner.
“It is with a heavy heart that i write to inform you of the closure of Ladies & Luggage, effective immediately,” the email read in part. ‘Looking back, I realize now that i should have been more present in the financial side of the business.”
“Where’s my money?” Gasber said. “It stills comes down to, okay fine you’re closing, okay, where’s my money.”
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More than a year later, the Elgin woman says she still hasn’t gotten her money back, and she’s not alone.
“It’s been a troubling situation for these women across the country,” attorney Juan Thomas said.
Thomas says he’s heard from more than 60 women, including several from the Chicago area, who say they were ripped off by the same agency.
“They’re not just going down to Miami for the weekend,” Thomas said. “These are trip s to Greece, South Africa, other parts of Europe… and these trips are getting canceled and they don’t get their money back.”
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has received nine complaints against Dacia Woods and Ladies & Luggage. Also, the Georgia Attorney General’s Office told the I-Team it has an “active and open investigation” into the company.
SEE ALSO | Vacationers lose thousands, say Chicago travel agent left them stranded: ‘Where’s my money?’
In a statement to the I-Team, Woods said in part, “I deeply regret the hardship this has caused our valued clients, team members, and loyal community. Recent allegations suggesting that i have misappropriated or absconded with company funds are entirely false. Comprehensive financial records will confirm that every dollar of company revenue was allocated solely to legitimate business operations and vendor obligations. While Ladies & Luggage has multiple owners under formal legal agreements confirming shared ownership and responsibility, I have been left to manage this crisis alone.”
But Gasber says she only worked with woods and is holding her solely responsible.
“You can blame anybody you want, but you have our money,” Gasber said. “If we didn’t have a trip, where is our money?”
The company’s owner told the I-Team their financial and legal matters are being addressed through legal channels, including a pending bankruptcy filing. ABC7 checked the bankruptcy filing, and it was declared void by the court.
Several women are now considering taking legal action against the owner in the hopes of finally getting their money back.
Remember, Sam is on your side! If you have a problem you want the I-Team to investigate, call 312-750-7TIP.
