What was supposed to be a series of dream vacations has turned into a financial mess for a group of Chicago-area travelers. Women across the region say they lost thousands of dollars after Ladies & Luggage, a group-travel company run by Dacia Woods, abruptly shut down, canceling planned trips and leaving prepaid customers without refunds. One Elgin retiree told reporters she is owed more than $10,000, and several other travelers say they have been trying for months to get their money back.
I-Team investigation and owner response
According to ABC7 Chicago, Virginia Gasber said she paid more than $10,000 for a Dubai trip that the company canceled a week before departure. The station reports that attorney Juan Thomas says he has heard from more than 60 women who say they were ripped off.
ABC7 Chicago reproduced an email from Woods that began, "It is with a heavy heart," and published a statement in which Woods said allegations that she misappropriated client funds are "entirely false."
Online complaints and customer reviews
Online, the story looks grim as well. The Better Business Bureau lists multiple unresolved complaints against Ladies & Luggage, and Tripadvisor reviews going back to 2023 and 2024 recount canceled itineraries, missing refunds, and last-minute changes.
Several customers' posts say the company emailed that it was "closed effective immediately" in mid October 2024 and then failed to deliver promised refund paperwork or reimbursements.
Investigations and legal status
ABC7 Chicago reports the Illinois Attorney General's office has received nine complaints about Ladies & Luggage, and the Georgia Attorney General told the station it has an "active and open investigation" into the company. The I-Team also checked a bankruptcy filing tied to the business and says the court declared that filing void.
Consumers who believe they lost money can file complaints with the Illinois Attorney General or through the Georgia Attorney General's consumer portal.
What victims can do now
If you are caught up in this, the first step is to gather everything. Document payments, correspondence and itineraries, then contact your bank or credit card company right away to request a dispute or chargeback if that option is available to you.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission through its ReportFraud.ftc.gov portal and consider filing with your state attorney general. The earlier you act, the better the chances of recovering funds. If you paid with buy-now-pay-later plans, wire transfers, or other non-reversible methods, recovery can be more difficult and may require additional legal steps.
Legal options and next steps
Several customers say they are weighing small claims suits or private civil actions to try to get their money back, although restitution in these cases can be slow and uncertain. Anyone who thinks they were harmed should preserve all records, reach out to payment providers, and consult a consumer attorney about the strength of their case.
