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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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pavila1954
August 31, 2021
Has any heard or done any business with Financial and management Corp of USA they want to buy my friends timeshare for $60,000.00 with a 6% commission upon closing
MJ
August 31, 2021
I received a call from Bill from Business Services. He gave me a business license number. Has anyone spoke to him or worked with that company? Seems it's the same thing as this thread...being offered money for a vacation membership that I have and the money from the buyer will sit in a Mexican bank before it is released to me. After reading this thread, I'm concerned.
CL
September 08, 2021
Anyone dealt with Century Title & Escrow out of St. Paul, MN ?
Crazy scams
September 13, 2021
Same story here. Be aware of Intercontinental Realty out of Chicago, IL.
Joeshmoe
September 13, 2021
Does anything know about business brokers int out of new york new york. They are trying to get me to sell my timeshare. I been in the market but dont see anything online about it? My contact name is Joe Leavy
Willk1129
December 07, 2021

In reply to by Joeshmoe

I too was recently approached by BBI. They claim that I don’t have to pay anything before I receive the agreed payout. I’m still checking BBB for any leads to confirm or deny their credibility.
juliemccoy
September 17, 2021
Anyone heard of Business Brokers International from NY?
steve
September 22, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

They have just contacted me regarding our Bliss membership in Cancun (Mayan Palace Group)
Working Guy
October 21, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

Have you figured anything out about BBI? They say they want to buy 10 weeks of vacation but want upfront money for international fees
Sue
December 16, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

Received a phone call from them Can't find anything about them mayb a scam?
Jose R
September 21, 2021
Have you heard of Destinations Travel Consultants? I was offered big bucks for my time share and I want to find out about it. Thanks
lofern
December 03, 2021
Has anyone been approached by Colorado Venture Consulting in Denver? They are offering a lot of money to my parents for their time share at the Moon Palace in Cancun. They seem to have a legit website but the broker who emailed us is not on their website. Thanks!
Jack
December 07, 2021
I got call from BBI for renting timeshare in Cancun. When I said I can sell the timeshare - then they also be ok - just send them my contract. Before this I checked Internet and found here valuable info. Now I would not deal with them.