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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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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Gldy23
September 14, 2017

In reply to by andrew17

Andrew17, what happened with this "no fee upfront" offer? My parents have been offered a higher price for their Nuevo Vallarta property too with same no free up front. Thanks!
andre11
April 07, 2016

In reply to by Jayman372

Hi! I just recived a call from Premium International Vacations asking me for the sale of my timeshare. What happen with you and your timeshare, they really bought it?
mnbog
July 17, 2015

In reply to by blondie60

Has anyone heard of Vacation Marketing, Inc or the "escro and title company" Closing Escro, LLC? They contacted me wanting to buy my weeks with Bahia Principe resorts and have a contract that looks legit (even had a lawyer look at it and he said it did) but there is no way this can be legit. They want me to pay a 10% transfer fee to that they say is required to come from my bank and it is to be wired to Mexico. Anyway, I had signed a contract before I realized the transfer fee was to be wired to mexico so I am not going through with it. It said in the contract I had to pay them 6% commission if I backed out but since this seems to be a scam I am assuming I can get out of this...any advice on the situation?
Caught again
November 16, 2015

In reply to by mnbog

Did you get any where regarding Vacation Marketing, Inc. and Closing Escrow, LLC? We are in the middle of the situation and sadly I believe we have been taken for several $K. 354
oldman75
November 16, 2015

In reply to by blondie60

The time-share reseller, "Premium Marketing International", based in Orlando, FL, claims they should be able to sell my time-share within 90 days. I cannot find any complaints about them..are there any??

suspicious9
March 09, 2016

In reply to by oldman75

Oldman75, what happened with Premium Marketing International? They just contacted us with the same story and want 845$ up front. Which we haven't given them. Told us they were BBB approved. I went to their site, their links do not work. I went to the BBB link on their site and it was the "online BBB", which I'm now going to Google.
FTC Staff
March 10, 2016

In reply to by suspicious9

It's important to check out a reseller, especially if you think it has given you mis-information about being approved.

This FTC article about timeshares and vacation property has tips. For example, don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check the reseller with your state Attorney General, your local consumer protection agency, and the consumer protection agency in the state where the reseller is located. Ask if the agencies have complaints are on file. You also can search for complaints online by typing the company name and the word "complaints" or "reviews" into the search bar on your computer.

shsazi
April 19, 2016

In reply to by oldman75

This co is a scam....over 50 complaints documented! Want 4000 up front...promised but no results.. Read all the cases! Beware¡!!!!!
Vacation Resor…
November 27, 2015

In reply to by blondie60

Please be aware that this company does NOT exist at all!! They stole my company's address of 12003 S. Pulaski Rd. Alsip,, IL 60803. How did I get so lucky to have Vacation Resort Experts scam others using my address? Not too lucky as I have had to deal with countless people coming into my store and writing asking about this company. I have warned as many people as I can that Vacation Resort Experts is a fake/scam company set out to steal your money!! Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT send them any money as you will lose your money. You should not have to pay to sell your time share ... that is your first clue that they are scammers. You would not get a phone call to sell your time share ... that is your second clue. We took our time and found out that Vacation Resort Experts is a scam coming out of Mexico. Other than that, we do not know who they are. Their website has been pulled down now, but the pictures, names and addresses on there were ALL FAKE!! Be aware and do not fall prey to their scam. They have now changed their name to Vacation Reservation Experts, but they are still using my store's address to run their scams!! Beware! They have a new website, too by the name Vacation Reservation Experts, but they are running the same scam -- to defraud people out of their money.
lizardking
January 27, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

Has anyone had experience with W&A Consulting? They offered a contract with sale price, commissions and tax liabilities. I haven't seen an issue to this point. I hope someone has an experience to share
dirtdigger
February 01, 2016

In reply to by lizardking

I've also been contacted by W&A. Although I was told they have almost completed their purchase of 100 weeks at Villa Del Palmar, membership services has no knowledge of either them or John Hoyt at Title Executives Agency. Had my attorney do a check and he came up with a couple of additional "red flags" I hadn't thought of.
DVB
February 06, 2016

In reply to by pattyrue503

I have also been contacted by W & A Consulting to buy my timeshare. I'm curious about the red flags! Would you share?
grandmayan
March 30, 2016

In reply to by dirtdigger

we've also been contacted by W&A, and they sent us a nice-looking contract that sounded good. Of course they wanted us to 'wire' about $9000 up front to cover the taxes in Mexico. I've reviewed the FTC, but it's not so clear. They do warn, but I wish it was clearer and more definite.
FTC Staff
March 31, 2016

In reply to by grandmayan

This FTC article abtou timeshares and vacation plans has information to help you. For example, don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check on the reseller. Contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located. Ask if any complaints are on file.

You also can search online for complaints. Type the company name and the word "complaint" or "reviews" in your browser search bar to see what other people say.

In general, the FTC warns people against sending money to someone you've never met. If you wire money, it's like sending cash. The person on the other end can take your money quickly, no matter what he's promised you.

Seattle Rammer
April 13, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

Anytime you have to pay upfront fees it is a scam when being approached by Premier Rental Solutions and they want $2,200 upfront in no way am I going to fall for that
Sabrina
April 15, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

Has anyone heard of Resort Vacations Inc? We received a call from them yesterday and apparently they got our info from a form we submitted when we went to game at Staples Center. They are sending a group of people from a certain demographic on expensive vacations to "test a new form of travel" and hoping that these people will recommend them to their friends and etc... They said all we need to do is visit and meet them for 90 mins.
Marc
May 24, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

Has anyone been approached by Sales Management Systems LTD from Elmhurst, IL? They want to purchase my UVC for more than we paid for it. Using a title company, and requiring a 6% fee/
Moe
May 31, 2016

In reply to by Marc

I was approached by the same company. I am trying to investigate. They sent me their license number and all. I didn't find any filings with the BBB.
Jenni
June 03, 2016

In reply to by Marc

They called me too and sent a letter of intent today. Let me know if you find out anything and I will do the same.
tred
June 14, 2016

In reply to by Jenni

We have a similar time share scam by Complete Capital & Business Services LLC out of Denver Colorado. State they do not charge any upfront fees but have we signed the contract that did not mention any fees. The sent a form requesting $4800 to be wired to a Mexican bank for the Publico Notario fees. We will not be sending this money. So now we are getting daily calls stating they will be bringing a breach of contract law suit against us. Bring the contract to our lawyer tonigh
LJ
August 03, 2016

In reply to by tred

Complete Capital & Business Services LLC out of Denver Colorado is a complete scam. They work with S&R Title in Atlanta George and they are also a scam. We fell for it and sent money and they came back with "sorry but due to unforeseen circumstances we aren't able to close on your transaction. You will receive a full refund within 10 business days". That was on May 9th and needless to say we've gotten nothing back.
tammy
July 04, 2016

In reply to by Marc

Did you find out anymore about this company? I have been contacted by them as well!
Joni
July 13, 2016

In reply to by tammy

I have also been contacted by Sales Management Systems out of Elmhurst, IL. It seems to good to be true (the typical - they'll pay more for our UVC membership than we paid originally). Has anyone figured out if this was a scam?
Joni
July 13, 2016

In reply to by Marc

I was approached by Sales Management Systems out of Elmhurst, IL and it is a scam. They do not physically reside at 340 W. Butterfield Road in Elmhurst (even though this is an office building). Sales Management Systems, LTD is not a registered business (Sales & Management Systems is, but it is completely different business). Further, they are using the Broker License # of a an actual Real Estate agent out of Hampshire, IL. She has hired an attorney and has filed a cease and assist order. DO NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION TO SALES MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, LTD. Scammers.
dezjesse
August 09, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

has anybody heard about the company's diamond international events services out of las vegas? and western title escrow corporation? wanting to buy timeshares
JuliaC
August 15, 2016

In reply to by dezjesse

We received an offer for resale from them. They made it look like they were Diamond Resorts International on a major "buyback" of units at a very high price. Claimed to be working with Grand Mayan resorts and obviously had some accurate information, but also some false information. The 2 companies are located in LasVegas, but the addresses are different, the logos are different. They are obviously 2 different companies. Beware!
coffee
August 17, 2016

In reply to by JuliaC

Hi there: We also recently were contacted by Diamond International Events Services and were told we could get $24,000 US for our timeshare at the Mayan Palace. We paid $5,600 US in December 2009. Beware is right. They sounded very professional, they also had a copy of our "contract" in front of them and were definitely smooth talkers. I really do feel very sorry for people who believe them and send money of some kind as this would be a difficult situation to get out of after. I am very glad to have found this website and read a lot of comments with interest. I will pass the word on to others that have timeshares. Thank you to all of you for your advice.
Calrado
September 01, 2016

In reply to by dezjesse

We were just about to sign & return an intent to sell Mayan Palace membership for over 3 times what we paid 5 years ago...has ANYONE dealt with Diamond International Events Services? After reading this thread, "no upfront fees" could mean nothing in a foreign escrow process!
roberto
October 31, 2016

In reply to by blondie60

Anyone been sent a contract by First Brokers/Global Federal Trust in St. Louis, MO offering way more money than your timeshare is reasonably worth??
LT
May 23, 2017

In reply to by blondie60

I was approached by All American Real Estate, LLC in Oregon offering me a lot of money to by 10 weeks from the back end of my 15year Genesis Collections agreement at Fiesta Americana and then American International Investment Group sent a contract with a buyer (I did not sign anything) to go forward. I asked about a few items on the contract (regarding the 5% fee etc) and they will not respond via email which made me cautious, they want to answer my questions via phone. I guess so there is no paper trail. Anyone else approached by these companies?
karstroh
November 09, 2017

In reply to by LT

We are being harassed by Network Brokerage Corporation out of New York with exactly the same offer for our Sunset Membership. Previously, we had been approached by about 6 other scam companies trying to buy it. We are treating this the same way. NBC flips from wanting to get 10 weeks of rentals to a purchase offer. Can not find anything on this company and the list of tenants in the building they say they are in does not include them.
hobewon
November 15, 2017

In reply to by karstroh

I just received a call today from Network Brokerage Corporation. Are they a scam or real?
kpen859
December 10, 2017

In reply to by hobewon

KJConsulting: I am also being pursued by NBC and they want $937 to pay for 30% of the SAT work as relates to Mexican Taxes. This will be reimbursed when the closing occurs. I this a scam or fraud?
mjw2000
November 21, 2019

In reply to by karstroh

We were also contacted by NBC and told they would not be requesting any up front fees. However, their escrow/closing company was asking for up front fees. When I said I would go through with the sale but only if I could use an escrow company of my choice they quit calling. Big surprise!
Munch
February 21, 2018

In reply to by blondie60

Has anyone been contacted by Mesa Advisory Group in Arizona offering to sell your timeshare but you have to pay a 6% tax upfront
ric77 May 16/2014
May 16, 2014
Today I was almost scamed by a caller that told me to go to CVS and get green dot for $205 dollars and then call the number they gave and they would give me directions what I had to do to get my $9000 grant. But I got upset and called the FTC they said the federal Goverment does not charge a fee or does business in this way. Whats going on with these callers scanning people in this way
cwetzbarger
May 19, 2014
On 19 May 2014 at approximately 1215 PM I received a telephone call from 949-776-1604 from an organization claiming to be able to lower my interest rate to 6.99%. This is the third such call I have received in as many weeks and the first one with an identifiable phone number. I selected 1 to talk to a human being who said that they represented Chase and Bank of America. His accent and grammar were common to that which I have heard from Asian Indians and there was sufficient lag time to have the telephone call connected to India. This gentleman knew my credit card balance, payment history, and pronounced my last name better than most Americans. He then asked for my credit card number, SSN, address, and mother's maiden name. I knew that this was a phishing call and did not provide any of this information. I instead told him that I would be contacting Chase, the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission. I also told him to remove my phone number from their records and to never contact me again. I have already contacted Customer Services with Chase and reported this. I have asked that at statement be added to my account that I would not be requesting additional credit, address change, or any other changes.
Pat Parham
May 23, 2014
We have call from Ian Thompson of San Antonio Title (supposedly) to sell time share to Pro Alliance Management. First we have to sign contract and send money to them. Would love to send you all copies of paperwork. My husband is tempted, I am not!!!!
Rbr- Texas
January 06, 2015

In reply to by Pat Parham

Do you have anymore information on this Ian Thompson? We have received a call also. Thank you.
Scott
February 03, 2015

In reply to by Rbr- Texas

hi there my name is Scott I was also contacted by in Thompson to close on a timeshare we have and he can be reached at area code 210 3074 282 but I do not believe he is very honest and what he is doing is not right we must stop him thank you
Canuck
June 05, 2014
Peachtree and Cincinnati Premier...
CampStein Photos
June 11, 2014
BEWARE of a company called International Luxury Events. They are contacting timeshare owners and offering to buy at 60-75% above your purchase price. We confirmed they are not even a real company- and their business location is fraudulent. They have been reported to the FTC, Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Attorney General. They call from phone #'s 323-786-1958, 818-924-2816 with names Brian Wright, David Snidee or Gregory White. But they are CLEARLY trying to imitate someone else, as their English is not great. Potential Spanish accent. Suspected to be in Mexico.
Disgusted
July 15, 2014

In reply to by CampStein Photos

YES!!!! Just dealt with them again today! Received phone calls from the same numbers asking if I was interested in selling my Unlimited Vacation Club timeshare, because they have companies that buy them and send clients there and then write it off. We had to sign a paper and send it back. Come to find they were going to pay us almost double what we paid for it! RED FLAG!! I was then told that I had to pay a $3,500 sales tax to Mexico b/c that's where the company that is buying it is located and I couldn't receive my $21,000 until that was paid. If I was to opt out I would be charged a 12% penalty and it would go into collections if we didn't pay up! Thank God for Google, otherwise I would have considered it since I just lost my job! The best part is that my husband called them back and ripped them a new one and they called me a few days later like nothing happened! They're scamming so many people they don't even know who they talk to! When something seems too good to be true, it usually is!! Don't fall for it!!
lisa
December 03, 2014

In reply to by Disgusted

Thank you!! I was just called today with an offer to buy my UVC membership out of an investment company in Chicago. They were also offering us more than what we paid!