Huntington Beach Firm Sued by State Over Offer of ‘Free’ Hawaii Vacations

International Credit Systems of Huntington Beach was sued Thursday for at least $100,000 in civil penalties by the state attorney general’s office for purportedly misleading consumers about “free” vacations to Hawaii.

The Los Angeles Superior Court civil suit claimed the company wrongly solicited from $99 to $249 from consumers to join a travel organization in exchange for a $1,500 Hawaii trip, including hotel and rental car discounts.

Senior Assistant Atty. Gen. Herschel T. Elkins claimed, however, that the trips cost more than ordinary budget vacations because a couple had to purchase one round-trip air ticket that cost three times as much as advertised bargain fares.

Michael Holleran, owner of International Credit Systems, told United Press International that he had not seen the suit but insisted that his company “does not do telephone solicitations” and “has never offered anyone a free vacation.”