The Crafty Getaways lawsuit picture, as of April 2025, is this: the New York State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the Long Island travel agency after multiple customers reported paying thousands of dollars for vacations that were never booked, but no civil suit or criminal charges have been publicly filed against the company or its principals.1NBC New York. Travel Agency Scam Long Island Victims
What Customers Say Happened
The complaints follow a common pattern. Customers paid Crafty Getaways in full, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, and only later discovered — often when trying to check in for a flight or contacting a hotel directly — that no reservation existed in their name.
Pat and Valerie Policastro, a Long Island couple, paid $23,000 in October 2024 for a European cruise and hotel package. When Pat Policastro returned to the agency’s office in February 2025, he found it vacant. The cruise line and the hotels both confirmed no reservations had ever been made.2New York Post. Long Island Grandparents Book $23K Vacation to Europe, Travel Agency Vanishes1NBC New York. Travel Agency Scam Long Island Victims
Paul and Janice Piazza of Coram said they paid $20,000 for a family trip to the Dominican Republic to mark their 60th anniversary. The trip was never booked. They rebooked it themselves and, as of April 2025, were disputing the original charge with their credit card company.3News 12 Long Island. Travel Nightmares: Long Islanders Say Travel Agency Took Thousands Without Booking Trips
Christina and Nick Badami of Suffolk County paid $10,000 for a Tuscany honeymoon and learned at check-in that no reservation existed; they were told the trip had been canceled by the agency itself for “lack of payment.” After ABC7’s consumer segment contacted the owner, a $10,000 credit card refund was processed within the hour.4ABC7 New York. 7 On Your Side Helps Get Couple Reimbursed After Honeymoon Never Booked
Christine LoPiano of Miller Place reported a $1,000 loss.3News 12 Long Island. Travel Nightmares: Long Islanders Say Travel Agency Took Thousands Without Booking Trips The Better Business Bureau’s file on Crafty Getaways LLC carries an F rating and six unanswered complaints, one alleging a $34,000 loss with no services rendered.5BBB. Crafty Getaways LLC BBB Business Profile
The Abandoned Office and Luxe Travel Society
Crafty Getaways operated from 691 Route 25A, Unit 27, in Miller Place. By February 2025 the office was empty and phones went unanswered.1NBC New York. Travel Agency Scam Long Island Victims Customers reported that the business had moved about 40 miles to Bethpage and was operating as Luxe Travel Society. NBC New York located the Bethpage office but found it closed as well.3News 12 Long Island. Travel Nightmares: Long Islanders Say Travel Agency Took Thousands Without Booking Trips
The BBB has confirmed a link between the two entities. Luxe Travel Society LLC was incorporated on November 24, 2024, at 4222 Hicksville Road in Bethpage, and its BBB profile — opened April 10, 2025 — lists Crafty Getaways LLC as a “Related Business.” Luxe Travel Society also carries an F rating, with two unanswered complaints.6BBB. Luxe Travel Society LLC BBB Business Profile5BBB. Crafty Getaways LLC BBB Business Profile7TravelPulse. Travel Advisor Success Stories: Sam Yaffe, Crafty Getaways8Travel Weekly. Crafty Getaways Thought Leadership
Where the Investigations Stand
The New York State Attorney General’s Office has confirmed it is investigating and reviewing complaints filed against Crafty Getaways.1NBC New York. Travel Agency Scam Long Island Victims3News 12 Long Island. Travel Nightmares: Long Islanders Say Travel Agency Took Thousands Without Booking Trips The Policastros filed complaints with both the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. A spokesperson for the DA’s office would “neither confirm nor deny” any investigation.
No formal criminal charges, indictments, or civil lawsuits against Crafty Getaways or its principals had been publicly announced as of April 2025. A person identifying themselves as a public relations representative for the agency acknowledged media inquiries but did not respond to the allegations.1NBC New York. Travel Agency Scam Long Island Victims
If You Paid Crafty Getaways
Customers in the reporting took several routes at once. Dispute the charge with your credit card issuer, as the Piazzas did. File a complaint with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, which is already collecting them. Contact Suffolk County law enforcement if you are a Long Island resident, as the Policastros did with both the police department and the DA’s office. Verify directly with the airline, cruise line, or hotel whether any reservation exists in your name. In the Badamis’ case, a refund followed once a news outlet contacted the owner directly.4ABC7 New York. 7 On Your Side Helps Get Couple Reimbursed After Honeymoon Never Booked