Travel Agent Stole From Clients Instead Of Booking Cruise: DA

A Long Island travel agent was arrested on Thursday for scamming clients out of more than $10,000 in payments for cruises, officials say.

Darlene Buonauro, 57, of Wantagh, was charged with first-degree scheme to defraud. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on Nov. 20. If convicted, she could face up to four years in prison.

“Instead of the luxury Alaskan cruise that they paid for, this unscrupulous travel agent allegedly left her victims high and dry when she stole their cruise fare,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “I encourage anyone else who may have been victimized by this defendant to call our Financial Crimes Bureau at 516-571-2149.”

According to Singas, in October 2017, one of the victims mailed a $250 deposit to book a reservation for a cruise through the Learning Through Travel Journeys travel agency in Bellmore. The cruise was a Norwegian Cruise Line to Alaska scheduled for Aug. 26 through Sept. 2, 2018. After booking the trip, which was to celebrate a 15th wedding anniversary, the victim told their friends and family about the cruise, and four more people booked tickets through Buonauro, Singas said.

Between October 2017 and April 9, 2018, Singas said that the six victims made payments toward the cruise through Buonauro. In July, Singas said that the six received notice from Buonauro that the cruise had been paid in full and that they would receive their travel documents in a few weeks. But when they never received their documentation, the victims reached out to the cruise line directly in August and were informed that their reservations were canceled for non-payment, Singas said.

In addition, even though some of the victims purchased travel insurance at Buonauro's recommendation, Singas said that she never actually purchased the insurance. As a result, the victims were unable to file insurance claims for the loss. Singas said that Buonauro's license to sell travel insurance expired in 2015 and was never renewed.

In total, Singas said that Buonauro stole $10,846.88 from the victims. The investigation is ongoing.

It is also alleged that although some of the complainants paid the defendant for travel insurance-

Singas offered these tips for finding a reputable travel agent:

• In addition to travel agency documents, ask for a copy of the booking confirmation issued by the cruise line, airline or hotel at the time of the initial deposit.
• If purchasing travel insurance through the travel agent, ask for the name of the insurance carrier. In addition to travel agency documents, ask for a copy of the travel insurance confirmation and the policy. (Note: some travel insurance companies provide additional benefits if insurance is purchased within 15 days of the booking.
• If the travel involves a cruise, note the date on which payment is required in full and how much money has already been paid and when it was paid. Request confirmation issued by the cruise line showing that full payment has been made.
• Luggage tags and boarding passes should be those issued by the cruise line or airline, not the travel agent.
• Check with Consumer Affairs to see if any complaints against the travel agent/agency.
• Payments by credit card may be reversible or may offer greater protection to the consumer because the charge can be disputed if the service was not received. Payment by check or by debit card would require a refund from the travel agent. In any event, always keep copies of records of payment.

Photo courtesy Nassau County District Attorney's Office