Hotel Booking Scam Alert

FCOA has learned that a third-party company, Exhibitor Housing Services (one of 3-4 company names), is AGAIN targeting FCOA sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and attendees with a fraudulent travel and hotel booking scheme. The company is calling attendees, falsely claiming it is the 'official' housing bureau authorized by FCOA to book hotel and/or travel accommodations for the conference. FCOA is not affiliated in any way with these companies. All accommodation bookings for the annual conference should be made through the official booking link on the website or directly with the Hyatt Regency in Orlando.  Neither FCOA nor the Hyatt Regency will call you to facilitate travel.  YOU must book through the OFFICIAL Hyatt website or phone number to receive the special concessions that FCOA has negotiated on behalf of our guests.

This scam targets conferences big and small and all over the world. The person calling may try to lure you into booking with them with:

• Claims that the hotel rate has dropped and they would like to adjust the cost.
• Claims that rooms are running out and must be booked as soon as possible.
• Claims that rooms are sold out and that they can help find you alternative hotels.
• Claims they can get you a better room rate than the conference organizers.

Please be aware that this is a SCAM designed to obtain your credit card information and/or make charges to your credit card. Please exercise extreme caution when contacted by these scammers. The representatives are often extremely pushy and will not provide their contact information OR if they do it is often false. Many times they transfer calls between several people; all of whom will increasingly pressure you to provide information they can then use in an unscrupulous manner.  We recommend that you do NOT give this company your credit card number, personal information, or any details about your hotel reservation or ANY travel.

If you receive a phone call from a company offering a hotel and travel booking service please let FCOA know by emailing moreinfo@fcoa.org.