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The FTC and state consumer protection agencies have shut down dishonest timeshare resellers for bilking timeshare owners out of millions of dollars. If you’re selling a timeshare, listen carefully for the promise of lots of money quickly and a request for an upfront fee. Those are two key signs of timeshare resale scam — and someone you don’t want to do business with.     

In one recent case, Vacation Property Services claimed to represent big-name companies eager to buy timeshares for business travel and events. The company guaranteed timeshare owners hefty returns if they moved quickly on the offer. But first, the company said the owner had to pay from $500 to $2,000, via credit card, in “registration” and other fees to seal the deal.

Timeshare Resale Scams Infographic

Timeshare Resale Scams
Infographic

The company’s promises of ready buyers, fast sales, big profits and money-back guarantees turned out to be lies. What’s more, the timeshare owners were stuck with debt on their credit cards from paying the “fee” after the company told them that the sale would be complete — and that they’d have their money — by the time the credit card bill came.

If you own a timeshare, question any offers to help you resell it. Be skeptical of companies that:

  • claim the market in your area is “hot” and that they’re “overwhelmed” with buyer requests
  • say they have buyers ready to purchase your timeshare — or promise to sell your timeshare within a specific time
  • guarantee you’ll get big returns on your resale
  • require you to pay fees upfront — even if there’s the promise of a “money-back guarantee”
  • don’t provide a contract — or provide a contract that doesn’t accurately reflect conversations you had   

Read about buying and selling a timeshare, or check out our infographic to see how timeshare resale scams typically work.

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AZJewel
June 07, 2017

In reply to by Buzzards Bay

They will scam you this way: you will have to pay the maintenance fee (they will claim to be "collecting it for your timeshare group" for the weeks they are "renting"... after that you will hear nothing from them! Ask your timeshare property about this...no doubt they will warn you that a third party does not rent your timeshare from anyone but you !

rmerrill75
May 12, 2017
playing the game with Irealty now (International real estate) just told them what I have to verify I had given them a correct amount of weeks. My offer based on what I said was not that outlandish.. but waiting to see if they want money up front. Had a scammer try a few years ago, got to the point where asked for money to close - will let you all know RM
prg
May 12, 2017
Has anyone heard of or dealt with Worldwide Property Solutions, Inc.? They are located at 1001 Brickell Bay Dr., Ste 131, Miami FL 33131?
Brian O.
May 24, 2017
The latest startup is "International Realty Corporation that started in April 2017. internationalrealtycorporation .com. I contacted the property manager for the address they listed and confirmed that the suite number doesn't exist at their address and that this company doesn't exist either. They are also using an Escrow agency West United Services that also has an address that doesn't exist and there is no building there either. westunitedservices. com They are contacting owners and saying that the original owners are buying back the units. We got a letter of intent for around double what we paid for it. We have played along a bit to see what they'd do next. I am reporting the company to the BBB and Chicago city scam department.
FTC Staff
May 24, 2017

In reply to by Brian O.

These are details would be really useful in a complaint to the FTC. Please report this at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

JRogers
May 26, 2017

In reply to by Brian O.

We've also been contacted by International Realty Corporation,Inc. Located in Chicago, Il. I found on the BBB that they have been in business for 25 years. Their website looks pretty nice and legitimate. So far, we've had (2)conference calls with the IRC contact. Their offer is to buy our timeshare in Mexico for a "to good to be true" amount. He has done nothing to quell our fears/ questions about him and his company. We have been trying to determine the legitimacy of the offer and the company. They sent us the documents to open an Escrow account with West United Services, LLC. I can not locate this company in Joliet, Il under a title company or an escrow company. I was only able to locate any information in Goggle search by typing in their website exactly as a web address, nothing comes up when searching the company name. This article came up as warning about West United. I'm so glad we went with our gut. No money or information was exchanged. We will be cutting ties on this offer
Poppyqueen
May 28, 2017

In reply to by Brian O.

I was contacted by the same company. They didn't offer an outlandish amount for our 2 weeks in Ixtapa. We quit paying our maintenance fees 4 years ago because they have tripled and we keep getting hit with special assessments. We basically walked away with no repercussions yet... Then out of the blue, an offer from this company. It seemed too good to be true. The "buyer" didn't care about the missed payments or that our timeshare is due to expire in 2 years. Supposedly he owns 20% of Pacifica, the resort and is not allowed to purchase any more himself. The story goes that he is buying up memberships privately that he can then convert to full ownership and gain majority interest in the resort, allowing him to offer them up as rentals on his own... It sounded logical, but I was still skeptical. IRC has since upped their offer after I confirmed what type of unit we had. How they got our info in the first place is a mystery. He told me all realtors can get lists of "owners" with phone numbers and state of residence, then they just track them down. Again, it made sense... In the mean time I have had no luck tracking them down. Just the address of 300 s. Wacker, suite 4200, Chicago,il. I checked the Illinois govt license site and they are not listed.. We are leaving on vacation in 2 days for 6 weeks in France. They are putting pressure on for us to sign the letter of intent and send a copy of our contract before we leave. I'm not going to do it.... All of this started last week... I'll be curious if this does indeed turn out to be a scam. Thanks for posting about them... I would have never sent a dime. It hadn't gotten to that point yet, but now I know it's a waste of my time.
Brian O.
May 31, 2017

In reply to by Brian O.

I received a nasty call from West United Services yesterday and was screamed at for nasty notes on the internet. They made a number of threats and I attempted to discuss the that their address doesn't exist and they slammed down the phone. I guess we aren't getting double what we put in any more. ;)
KM
May 26, 2017
I too have been contacted by this company. They have a website and are registered with the Department of Financial & Professional Regulations but if you pull them up the address does not match what they have presently given. I am very suspicious of them. Keep me posted if you get any good results.
Poppyqueen
May 28, 2017

In reply to by KM

I've been approached by them as well. Last week. I could not find them listed in the dept of Financial & professional regulations at all.
Poppyqueen
May 28, 2017
I've had an offer through International realty Corp. 300 s wacker rd., Chicago,il They say we don't have to pay any money up front. Has anyone dealt with them.
HTR
May 29, 2017
Yeah IRC made a mistake by calling me on a Memorial day. No reputable company does business on a holiday.
cbrown81
May 31, 2017
I just got off the phone with International Real Estate Solutions (for the 3rd time), and they did a pretty good job of trying to convince me that they are legit. My problems are: 1) They are offering us 3 x's our original purchase price for Temptations Cancun. Major red flag. Why wouldn't they save the money, send someone down to Mexico, buy it themselves, and reimburse them? I now they say they cannot sell to corporations, which is why they have to buy from private buyers like us, but their employees could save them a lot of money doing it that way. Why buy at 3 X's the price?? 2) The only information I can find on them (even on Google!!!) is from their website. It's a nice website, but it doesn't show anything to do with timeshares at all. Also, the website date (at the very bottom of the page) shows that it was created in 2017, even though the woman who contacted me said they have been in business since 2008. If that's true, how is there no record of their existence on Google??? 3) The representative said the owner, Donald M Johnson, would be happy to talk with me..... but he is so busy it could take up to 1 month to get a hold of him. After Googling his name and International Real Estate Solutions together, again, nothing came up! If they've been in business since 2008, something would come up! 4) The "escrow" company they will be using with called "West United Services" out of Joliet, Illinois. Again, there is no record of them either. When I asked the representative for more information on their business so my lawyer could do the due diligence on their company, she simply referred me back to her website to "read the customer reviews". She assured me that I wouldn't find any negative reviews. Really??!! Of course I wouldn't!! Lastly, the only time I heard her typing on her computer was when I told her that her offer seemed too good to be true. That they are offering 3 X's the amount paid. Maybe my suspicions got the better of me, but I assumed she was making a note to be more careful. Just speculation. Anyway, be careful and do NOT give these people any personal information!!!
kas0604
May 31, 2017
I am talking to a Jessica Bowerman who offered almost 3x what our timeshare at sunset was worth too. I also look hard for any negative information and found exactly what you found. That there was no information out there on this company. They have LinkIn and Facebook but no company information or post. No social media at all. I was debating whether to go the next step with them and I am glad I found this post. Looks like they just created this company out of thin air.
Wont Be Fooled
May 31, 2017
I too have been contacted by International Real Estate Solutions Inc of Chicago by phone regarding a timeshare in Mexico. Their offer is also more than we paid. Haven't taken it any further than that and won't after reading these recent posts either. The address on my offer was 100 North LaSalle Street Suite 1300, Chicago IL. 60602
Always Be Skeptical
June 05, 2017

I've also been contacted by International Realty Corp. Inc. concerning a time share with Sunset in Cancun, Mexico. I am glad I found this website. I don't give out my cell phone number to any companies, so I don't know how they managed to contact me via my cell phone. They recently sent me an email but I didn't get it at first since it was placed in my scam folder. I was curious to see how much they would offer us. Now, I'm just glad I didn't pursue this any further.

JOE-V
June 02, 2017
ANY INFORMATION RE ST JOHANN ALPENLAND RESORT CORP??? A TIME SHARE CO.....TRYING TO SELL. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. CAN'T TELL THE GOOD GUYS FROM THE BAD GUYS ON GOOGLE. THANX!! JOE-V.
Peter D
June 05, 2017
Thanks for all your posts. I filed a complaint with the FTC tonight which is listed below. I was contacted by International Realty Corporation, Inc and an offer was made to purchse my timeshare (Pacifica Resort in Ixtapa Mexico). The offer was more than expected and I was sent a letter of intent which I signed. Afterwards I receive a form from West United Services LLC to set up an escrow account. The form required personal information that I wasn't willing to provide. I researched both companies, along with Christopher Porter and couldn't locate much of anything.I found some information on the Consumer Information of your website - consumer.ftc.gov/blog/be-lookout-timeshare-resale-phonies?page=55 where many others were complaining about these same companies. I don't know if an official complaint was reported yet - thus my complaint. I'll keep my emails and documents should you require this information. Christoper Porter is the only International Realty Corporation representative I've spoken with and he calls me from 866-879-1025. Please let me know if you need anything additional from me.
FTC Staff
June 05, 2017

In reply to by Peter D

Thank you for reporting this to the FTC. When you file a complaint at FTC.gov/complaint, the information goes into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

woken
June 15, 2017

In reply to by Peter D

been dealing with the same thing for six weeks. We need to thank our bank Washington Federal for the heads up when we went to do the wire transfer.
very concerned
June 23, 2017

In reply to by woken

did you get paid the agreed amount or did you pull out?
angel
July 06, 2017

In reply to by Peter D

Hi peter, did you file the complaint against these people and company? If so, who do you contact? I was contacted by same company and different names, I think this is fraud.
floridagal
June 05, 2017
Don't deal with David Bronson of Bright Vacation Rentals or Michael Anderson of 360 Title Agency. Both out of Ohio. Cost me $1900.00 They are no where to be found now. Scam, Scam
SAC
June 06, 2017
Received calls on my landline and cell plus email with offer that was 3x the purchase price. Followed the old adage "If sounds to good to be true......." Wouldn't mind selling at that price.
Htr
June 07, 2017
Just got a call from one of the Looney tunes from 'IRC' from a new number, 773-867-1117, that seems to be a landline at 4665 N Manor Ave. , Chicago. Until now, all calls have been from 866-879-1025.
FTC Staff
June 08, 2017

In reply to by Htr

You can help law enforcement by reporting this new information. Go to FTC.gov/complaint and report what you've learned. The information will go into a secure database that law enforcement agencies nationwide use for investigations. Thank you.

Big D
June 14, 2017
Fellas, this is all the same scam. No worthwhile agent would do any of these acts!! ITS A SCAM, BIG TIME!! Do not wire money to any of them. I checked on "Nationa Federal Holdins, no real estate license, contracts have all kinds of legal and ethical problems. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!!!
Awilltosing
June 21, 2017
Has anyone heard of, or delta with Winterfeild Funding? Located in Fort Worth Texas.
very concerned
June 23, 2017
I was contacted by International Realty Corporation, Inc and an offer was made to purchase my timeshare (La Herencia, play del carmen Mexico). The offer is about double the value. We signed letter of intent. Afterwards West United Services LLC to set up an escrow account in our name. . I researched both companies, along with Gary Beckman and William F. Reilly of international Realty and couldn't locate much of anything.. we get calls me from 866-879-1025. Still trying to verify if this is a scam or not.
Dave-dean
July 17, 2017

In reply to by very concerned

We are in the same process for the same place with the same people. Also trying to verify;)
Concerned2
July 17, 2017

In reply to by very concerned

I am in same position right now...have you proceeded? I've halted as I'm not thinking this is legit.
Concerned2
July 17, 2017

In reply to by Concerned2

Same number. Different 'broker' name. When you call, there is no switchboard. Def not proceeding.
cr
July 21, 2017

In reply to by Concerned2

Anyone have any new info re: international realty and west united? anyone have success? seems very legit but I am thinking of backing out due to postings and requests for additional funds- I, too, already sent them money.
MadWoman
August 04, 2017

In reply to by cr

They got me too I lost thousand STOP sending them money after the custom clearance number they will still asking for more money for the insurance bond
AngryDupe
July 22, 2017

In reply to by very concerned

This is a very sophisticated and complicated SCAM. Unfortunately, we fell for it. Here is our story: International Realty Corporation, Inc., (IRC), Chicago/Skokie, IL, contacted us that they had a Buyer interested in purchasing our timeshare from Club Sunset/Hacienda Tres Rios aka La Herencia Residence Club at Tres Rios-Riveria Maya, Mexico. IRC told us that all we had to do was pay, via wire transfer, for a Mexican federal tax ID number so the Buyer could pay the federal tax for the sale. An escrow account was be set up in our names at CITIBANAMEX in Mexico City, Mexico. We were given an initial closing date for the beginning of June 2017. West United Services, LLC, (Joliet, IL)was the escrow agent handling all wire transfer instructions, sending of receipts, and notices. IRC promised that all upfront fees we paid would be refunded to us by the Buyer through escrow at the close of the sale. All paperwork looked very official with letterheads and stamps from the Mexican S.A.T. (same as the IRS in the U.S.). As well as statements from the bank showing funds being held in escrow for each transaction. The closing date kept getting extended out week by week as additional money was requested for more taxes and fees.These included state tax for Quintana Roo and a federal recording fee. Finally there was a notice the escrow funds were SEIZED by the Mexican authorities because of the large amount of the money involved. These would not be released w/o a customs clearance number. Unfortunately, the last wire for the customs clearance number was "lost." IRC claimed the money never got to their beneficiary. My bank was able to do a wire trace and obtained a reference number that indicated the money was indeed deposited into their designated beneficiary's account. IRC also claimed that they even sent an investigator to Mexico, at their own expense, to try and "find" the missing funds. However, now that the investigator had left Mexico, they had no one else to interact with bank and customs authorities. At this point, IRC wanted us to send another wire transfer to cover the customs clearance number.They said that we HAD to come up with the additional money or the deal would fall through and we would FORFEIT all our money. Donald M. Johnson, managing partner at IRC, suggested borrowing the money from friends or family, loan from the bank or IRA; getting a cash advance from a credit card, even pawning my car. He said we could easily the money back once the deal closed..approx. 72hrs..and we were disbursed the money held in escrow. Additionally, he would give us back the extra money we sent for the customs clearance number from his personal Chase account to help us out ONCE THE DEAL CLOSED. As their latest deadline loomed and their Buyer was getting "anxious," Mr. Johnson had a conference call with us involving their attorney. They offered to put us in a special category wherein they would take a huge tax deductible "loss" just to close this deal. We just had to fund the customs clearance number. They even offered to DOUBLE the funds we had already put out so far. We finally wised up (too late) after several thousand dollars gone. Doubt we will ever recover the money. Now we are just trying to warn others. There are several of these complicated scams going around. They may all come out of the same paper mill. We accidentally got sent an email to someone else with the same money details. This other company is purported to be IBEX, Inc., 2646 Compass Road, Glenview, IL 60028; 866-978-5102 x471. BEWARE.
AngryDupe
July 24, 2017

In reply to by AngryDupe

UPDATE: Paperwork from INTERNATIONAL REALTY CORP., used INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS, INC. interchangeably. Think they are one and the same even though they may show different addresses on their letterhead. The different name didn't initially ring a warning bell because the names are so similar. I have the two addresses for International Realty Corporation as 300 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago, IL 60606 and 8424 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077. When I called the building manager in Chicago for this building, they said that there was no such company there and they had been getting a lot of calls regarding them. When I asked Don Johnson about the Wacker Drive address, he said that letterhead must have been old, because they had moved to the Skokie Boulevard address some 7 years ago. He claimed that when my paperwork was prepared, they had temps working because they were so busy. However, ALL my paperwork had the Wacker Drive address. This was over a period of 2 months! They must have generated all my paperwork the SAME day? and just kept stringing me along. Yup, this dupe kept paying for a long time.
JKB
July 29, 2017

In reply to by AngryDupe

We also have property at Hacienda Tres Rios and fell for this same scam. We have also lost a fair amount of funds before we finally decided enough. Same exact story. We are also going to pursue every avenue we can, assuming we will never see thee funds again, but not going down without at least a fight.
tanny
July 24, 2017

In reply to by AngryDupe

They are good,soft spoken SCAMMERS, both International estate solutions(Andrew Fox/Donald Johnson,James Long) and West United Services(Bryan Montes)..They got me too,we were in the same situation!!!
AngryDupe
July 27, 2017

In reply to by AngryDupe

UPDATE: You bet I am reporting this to every place I can. I have prepared documents for the FTC, Oregon State Atty., and Illinois, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation/Division of Real Estate. I am going to look into sending this same complaint to the Illinois State Attorney as well making a complaint with the Illinois Better Business Bureau. Any other suggestions?
out the money
July 30, 2017

In reply to by AngryDupe

I could have been reading my own story here. it is the same as angrydupe, but not as far along. I did research as best I could all the info. they are very complete on follow thru and detailed. they got me for some money. spread the word it is a SCAM. i think the sales person at the resort is in on it, as they had mentioned to me before i even got the call " that one of the partners in the ownership may buy out members" then two months later i got the call from IRC. it is a well planned out. Don't believe a word from them.
FTC Staff
July 31, 2017

In reply to by out the money

Please report your experience to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Law enforcement needs to hear from people. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

You can also report to the state Attorney General

in your home state and the state where the business is operating.

The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.

AngryDupe
August 01, 2017

In reply to by out the money

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT!! When I spoke to the FTC rep. in my state, he mentioned that same thing. I was trying to sell my timeshare at Hacienda Tres Rios and before I got around to getting anything done on that, I got snagged. I will go ahead and started the process of trying to sell it through the resort now. I have read on this blog that that is not easy either. When I contacted the resort, about cancelling my membership, they said they had other programs. If they are not comparable to what my other timeshare has, I am out of there. Not gonna give them another dime. It was such a "dog" to use. I have other timeshares with points and I can use the points for other travel than just accommodations---air travel, car rental, events, etc.
reginalya
August 03, 2017

In reply to by very concerned

Unfortunately I gut in the same situation,when International Realty corporation contacted me,everything seemed very easy,but then,,they were asking more and more money for all kinds of leagall fees.After paying thousands of dollars,they requested moor,blaming Mexican government.I can provide phones # with extantions and names Kevin Bell (773)867-1117 ext241broker agent Anthony Garcia (866)879-1025ext 234 Sr.Broker John Lopez didn't give me his extention,his Mexico # +52(55)7425 4070 Ryan Adan Kincaid "legall department ext 244 Donald Johnson Nanaging Partner Thomas Henderson Legal Department Something has to be done ,so they don't get involved moor ppl in their scam Now after all this scam,they have a nurves to blame me for brbteach of contract
AngryDupe
August 04, 2017

In reply to by reginalya

Be the one to report it. I have filed complaints with the FTC, Better Business Bureau, State Attorney Generals in Illinois, and my home state, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations--Real Estate (licenses). I also posted on Facebook and intend to contact AARP. Let's get together an get these guys out of business--at least put a black mark next to their names!!
Close Call
June 23, 2017
I've been talking to IRC and West United for two months. They knew my name, address, phone, email, DoB, time share location and status. All was right. The only confusion was we let a friend use the time share one time and they thought they were partners. They offered 2k over what we paid and that seemed reasonable. I have talked to at least four people from the two companies and it seamed legitimate until they wanted me to wire $2,992.00 for a Mexican tax number. At that point I stopped talking to them a week ago. Today I received a cancelation letter with a bill for half the commission (3%)demanding payment in 5 days or they will pursue legal action.
Are IRC and We…
June 27, 2017

In reply to by Close Call

Have you found out any more about who these people are? I've been getting the same phone calls and emails, and everything seems legit - and also too good to be true. I've tried looking into this every way I can, but can't quite figure out the best way to get honest information.
beerjudy
July 11, 2017

In reply to by Close Call

We are at the same place you were. Do they have any "legal recourse" if we don't wire them the funds?
JoeC
June 27, 2017
I've also been in discussion with a "Dana Allen" from IRC and they're setting me up with an escrow account at a Mexican bank. I haven't filled out the paperwork yet, thinking that 1) that's the point where they're likely going to ask me for money, and 2) I don't want to give them even more personal information than they already have. My questions to this group: A) is there anyone out there who has experience showing that this is really legit, or are all of these scenarios just scams, and B) has anyone reported this particular one to the FTC or other local, state, or federal authorities? I've researched the companies involved, and even the broker, and things seem to be on the up and up - Chicago address, legit looking website, BBB rating (and I even discussed what I found with the broker), broker's background and active real estate license (I stopped short of reaching out to the person I found to check if it's really her or if someone stole her identity as I've seen reported elsewhere - I'm afraid that it might just be a created identity). Anyone have advice on how else I can confirm whether it's legit before continuing? I know - if it walks like a duck and talk like a duck.....but I'd sure love to find out if this is real or not.
reginalyan7
August 21, 2017

In reply to by JoeC

Joe C,from my experience with IRC and WU,this is very good quality scam. Don't even think to get involved.
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