👮🏻‍♀️💰Travel agent arrested, charged with stealing $35,000 from cruise ship passengers

 ⛑️Consumer Rescue presents🛟

Tales from Consumer Advocacy Land

Real stories. Real rescues. Real advice.

Happy Tuesday, friends!❤️

Today I have two all-new articles, one here at Consumer Rescue and one over at The Points Guy. And if you’re new to the Tales from Consumer Advocacy newsletter, all the articles are new to you!

First, I want to welcome everyone who is new — we had a huge surge in subscribers since the new year. Welcome, new friends!!  😘

Now let’s dive into what’s going on in Consumer Advocacy Land this week.

First up, I have my report on the New York travel agent who was arrested and charged with grand larceny last week — accused of pocketing over $53,000 from her former clients. In one awful case, a large family showed up at Cape Liberty expecting to be sailing to the islands on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. The only island they reached that day was the one they started in: Long Island, after finding out at the pier that their agent never booked their trip.

I have the whole awful story, plus how you can avoid handing over your vacation dollars to the wrong person.

Then over at The Points Guy, I’ll tell you about yet another car rental customer who got dinged by artificial intelligence twice. First by an AI scanner and then by AI customer service. Find out what my investigation revealed — and how I helped this Sixt customer make a $2,200 damage charge disappear — in our second featured article.

And then I have last week’s article about cruise mistakes to avoid in 2026 and a story you may have missed about a budget traveler who booked a cheap hotel on Agoda but got hit with a nearly $6,000 tab after a 3-night stay.

One quick housekeeping note:

🐝Since moving to Beehiiv last October, I’ve been approached regularly by advertisers who want to appear in this newsletter. Until now, I’ve turned them all down — because I didn’t feel their products were a good fit for you.

Today’s newsletter is different. You’ll notice an “In partnership with” at the top from REI’s Intrepid Travel. I said yes because I genuinely think many of you — especially the adventurers, hikers, and curious explorers among us — might find the company interesting.

I’ve intentionally placed the ad at the very end of the newsletter so it doesn’t interrupt the flow. If you’re here just for the stories, you won’t miss a thing or be bothered by a colorful ad. If you’re curious, you can scroll down and take a look before my signature sign-off.

As always, thank you for trusting me — that trust is something I take very seriously. 💛

Do you have an opinion about today's articles? Want to share a suggestion? I love to hear from you.

Our site's comment section under the articles is open and ready for you to offer your thoughts. You can also add your comments under our articles on the Consumer Rescue Facebook page.

If you haven’t already checked out our Facebook group “What’s your Problem?” - have a look. That’s our friendly private community where you can ask quick questions and get quick answers.

It's a private group, so only members can see what's inside. We hope to see you there!

🤗Welcome to all our new subscribers! We are thrilled to have you join us.

*Ps. If you've received this newsletter as a forward, here's how to subscribe. 

Friends! Don’t be shy. Sharing our newsletter with other like-minded consumers is a great way to show your support for our mission!

This week’s sponsor:

What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.

It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.

REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.

Find your next adventure

_{For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.}

Until next time 😃

Don't forget! Consumer Rescue is just a click away. One of us is always here to answer your questions. 

Of course, you can always reach me at [email protected]