Vacation Time Share Operation Charged Under Consumer Protection Act

A vacation company based in Brampton has been charged with multiple violations of timeshare agreements and unfair business practices under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act.

FFL Vacations Ltd., operating as Fun For Life Club International, faces a total of 55 charges related to unfair business practices and violations of Time Share Agreement regulations. Cecil Hendrix, a company official with FFL, has been charged individually with 55 identical counts.

The charges were filed in a Brampton court Oct. 26, 2007. Another six charges were filed separately against FFL and Hendrix in a St. Catharines court on the same day.

The charges result from an investigation into numerous consumer complaints to Ontario’s Consumer Protection Branch since January 1, 2007. Customers of Fun For Life allege they were given false and misleading statements during sales presentations and that certain services and facilities were not delivered as promised in their agreements.

The complainants also allege they could not cancel contracts during the 10-day “cooling-off” period that is mandatory under the Consumer Protection Act.

On each count, an Ontario provincial offences court may levy fines in the amount of $250,000 for a corporation and $50,000 for an individual. An individual may also be subject to jail time of two years less a day on each count. The court can also order offenders to pay compensation or make restitution to aggrieved consumers.