HOTEL SCAM ADVISORY:  APS AmeriStamp & Stamp Show Guests

February 10, 2017

PLEASE BE ADVISED:
The American Philatelic Society (APS) has received several complaints from members regarding calls or emails received from a third party, indicating that the APS AmeriStamp Expo and Stamp Show hotel blocks are full and soliciting a room reservation through the caller’s travel agency.  When asked, the caller cannot typically identify the show hotel, and has no knowledge of our event.

This third party is NOT authorized by the APS to solicit room reservations on behalf of the APS.  This is a form of “Housing Pirating”.  These ‘housing pirates’ or ‘bandits’ are companies that phone, email, or fax convention attendees, claiming to offer room reservation services for hotels near a convention.  They may falsely claim to be affiliated with the APS.

Do not respond to any unsolicited calls or emails from a third party offering hotel reservations.  Unless you have initiated the communication, please do not provide anyone with your personal information, especially your credit card number.  If you provide your credit card information to one of these companies, your card may be charged and there is no guarantee you will have a room upon your arrival to Reno or Richmond.

APS AUTHORIZED LODGING
At this time, the only authorized blocks of rooms being held for upcoming APS shows are:

• Atlantis Casino Resort Spa – 3800 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89502.  To reserve a room:  Call 800-723-6500 (“AmeriStamp Expo” or “ASE”), or visit the Atlantis website.  For alternate lodging, contact Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority:  (800) 367-7366, visitrenotahoe.com.

• Marriott Richmond – 500 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA  23219.  To reserve a room:  Call (800) 228-9290, or click this APS Booking Link.  If you are seeking alternate hotels, please contact the Richmond Region Tourism: (804) 783-7450, VisitRichmondVa.com.

REPORTING FRAUD
If contacted by someone asking if you need a room at an APS stamp show, or misrepresenting themselves as a representative of the APS, please share details with the APS to help us make a case against the inquiring organization.

     • Get as much information as you can, such as the:
         » Name of the company
         » Name of the person calling
         » Company address
         » Email address
         » Telephone number
     • Request information in writing

The American Philatelic Society is NOT affiliated with the following company, whom we believe is responsible for the complaints to date:

National Travel Associates
1 (877) 595-ROOM (7666)
www .nationaltravelassociates .com
Business License: NV20111324251
Entity Number: E0274712011-2

This company, based in Nevada, may appear legitimate – having both a website and social media pages online, but it is not authorized to make room reservations for any APS Stamp Show.  Several complaints are on file about this firm with the Better Business Bureau.