Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Solano County Government Center, County of Solano Facebook page

Article (news)

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783240314607469999737_982324180598119_4926542585410232131_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Solano County Government Center, County of Solano Facebook page"/>Solano County Government Center, County of Solano Facebook page</div>SAN FRANCISCO, California — Several California residents have come forward alleging financial losses from travel bookings, airline ticket financing arrangements, and private business transactions, hoping to get their money back from travel company Premier Luxe Travel &amp; Tours and raise awareness against risky transactions. The allegations, which span several years and involve multiple individuals, have led to civil lawsuits, consumer complaints, and police reports filed in California.Several complainants interviewed for this report said their transactions involved Cristine and Jimwell Garcia — travel consultants of Premier Luxe Travel &amp; Tours, a travel-related business identified in business cards, communications, and supporting documents.Frevelino and Alma Tabas of Vallejo said their financial relationship with Cristine Garcia began in early 2021 after a mutual acquaintance introduced them when she needed a small personal loan.The couple said she repaid the loan promptly, which established trust and led to additional financial transactions over several years.The Tabases allege that they later participated in various business and travel-related financing arrangements involving business equipment purchases, inventory financing, cash advances, and airline ticket transactions.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/25/philippines-parcel-delivery-boom-becomes-new-fertile-ground-for-digital-fraud-0800">Philippines&#x27; parcel delivery boom becomes new fertile ground for digital fraud </a></div>They said the amounts involved increased over time and promised repayments were ultimately not made.According to documents reviewed for this report, the couple alleges that they are owed more than $288,000 related to airline ticket financing arrangements, in addition to other disputed business transactions.They said they pursued private efforts to recover their funds before seeking legal assistance and filing complaints with government agencies.&quot;We are sharing our experience because we believe there may be others who have had similar experiences,&quot; the couple said.&quot;Our goal is to raise awareness and encourage individuals to exercise caution when entering financial arrangements.&quot;The couple said they hope their decision to speak publicly will encourage others to seek legal advice and consumer protection resources when financial disputes arise.<div> </div><div>REPAYMENTS ON FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS STOPPED</div>Victoria Vaezinia, a business owner from Vacaville, meanwhile alleges that she entered into financial agreements beginning in May 2025, also involving airline tickets and other travel-related products.According to documents reviewed for this report, Vaezinia alleges that repayments were initially made and then stopped later that year.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/3/90-million-e-wallet-users-still-invisible-to-lenders-outside-affordable-credit-expert-0800">90 million e-wallet users still &#x27;invisible&#x27; to lenders, locking millions out of affordable credit: expert </a></div>She alleges that she suffered financial losses totaling approximately $153,000 involving airline tickets, hotel accommodations, vacation packages, and other travel-related productsShe said several checks issued in connection with some transactions bounced.Vaezinia filed a complaint with the Consumer and Environmental Crimes Unit of the Solano County District Attorney&#x27;s Office and later filed a civil lawsuit at the Superior Court of California, County of Solano.Vacaville and Vallejo are part of Solano County.&quot;I hope the legal process will provide clarity and allow all parties to present their evidence,&quot; Vaezinia said, referring to the pending suits.She said she hopes sharing her experience would encourage others to exercise caution when entering private financial arrangements or travel-related business transactions.Gloria Gamit, a medical administrative assistant from San Francisco, alleges that she purchased airline tickets through Cristine for family members traveling from the Philippines to California.She said she paid approximately $2,000 for airline tickets for her family members and received travel documents that she believed contained discrepancies on passenger information.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/18/sec-penalizes-home-credit-for-unfair-debt-collection-2300">SEC penalizes Home Credit for unfair debt collection </a></div>Despite attempts to resolve the matter, she did not receive the travel arrangements she expected and pursued legal remedies through California&#x27;s small claims court system.Gamit said that she obtained a default judgment after the defendants allegedly failed to appear in court proceedings and that collection efforts remain ongoing through legal channels.&quot;I hope sharing my experience encourages others to carefully verify who they are doing business with before sending money,&quot; she said.Public records reviewed for this report confirm the existence of police reports, consumer complaints, and civil proceedings involving allegations related to financial transactions and travel services.Vaezinia said that after filing complaints and pursuing legal remedies, she was contacted by other people who alleged experiencing similar financial disputes involving travel-related and private financial transactions.She said several have since come forward with their own accounts and supporting documentation.A complaint filed with the Solano County District Attorney&#x27;s Consumer and Environmental Crimes Unit outlines allegations involving travel-related financial transactions and requests review by consumer protection authorities.The agency noted that complaints are used to identify potential patterns of consumer harm and do not constitute findings of wrongdoing.<div> </div><div>CRISTINE GARCIA: NO INTENT TO DECEIVE</div>In a written statement, Cristine Garcia denied intentionally deceiving or misleading anyone and said she intends to address the allegations through the legal processShe said she was &quot;shocked and deeply saddened by the allegations&quot; and that they have led to an &quot;extremely difficult&quot; experience for her and her family.&quot;I understand why people have questions, and I believe everyone deserves to know the facts,&quot; she also said.She said that she believes the issues came up &quot;after serious issues affected the ticketing operations and bookings.&quot; Garcia said she understands that people are frustrated and added she &quot;never intended to deceive anyone.&quot;She said that she sought legal advice as the situation escalated and hopes the matter will be resolved through the appropriate legal process.She also said that, based on information provided by legal counsel, they were not aware of criminal charges against them at the time of their review, and hope that the public would allow the legal process to proceed before making conclusions.Jimwell Garcia has yet to respond to a request for comment.<div> </div><div>CONSUMER AWARENESS AND PROTECTION</div>According to consumer protection experts, disputes involving travel services, private loans, and investment arrangements highlight the importance of exercising caution before transferring funds or entering financial agreements.According to the US Federal Trade Commission, consumers should independently verify businesses, travel agencies, and individuals before making payments.The FTC also recommends researching businesses through public records, licensing agencies, and consumer complaint databases.Consumers should obtain written documentation of transactions whenever possible, it also said.It also advises consumers to use payment methods that provide consumer protections, such as credit cards, which may offer dispute rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act if goods or services are not delivered as promised.In contrast, cash transfers, gift cards, wire transfers, and some peer-to-peer payment platforms may provide limited recovery options.The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also encourages consumers to understand the limitations of fraud protection associated with peer-to-peer payment applications.Federal consumer agencies recommend that individuals:    •    Verify business licenses and professional credentials;     •    Request written contracts, invoices, and receipts;     •    Confirm travel reservations directly with airlines and providers;     •    Keep copies of all communications and financial records;     •    Avoid relying solely on verbal agreements or personal relationships;     •    Exercise caution before making private loans or investments; and     •    Consult legal or financial professionals before making substantial financial commitments. Consumers who believe they have suffered financial losses may have options through financial institutions, consumer protection agencies, law enforcement agencies, and civil courts.

Several California residents have come forward alleging financial losses from travel bookings, airline ticket financing arrangements, and private business transactions, hoping to get their money back from travel company Premier Luxe Travel &amp; Tours and raise awareness against risky transactions.

Several California residents have come forward alleging financial losses from travel bookings, airline ticket financing arrangements, and private business transactions, hoping to get their money back from travel company Premier Luxe Travel & Tours and raise awareness against risky transactions.

Filipinos in California financial dispute highlight need to be wary of risky deals

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Filipinos in California financial dispute highlight need to be wary of risky deals

John Saavedra

Published July 05, 2026 04:54 PM PHT

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Solano County

California

Consumer Protection

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US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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