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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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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Very doubtful
October 19, 2017

In reply to by ThrowAway

My husband was just contacted by an Aaron Moore from Evergreen Equity Investements. He sent us an offer for a pretty reasonable amount. Only $17,000. Most of these scams send you offers for some crazy amount that is way more than what you paid for. We haven’t signed anything or agreed to anything. We’ve been scammed before and do our research before signing anything. Is this a scam? They seem more legit than other companies we’ve been approached by in the past. Thank you for your insight.
Larry 59
September 27, 2017
Does anyone have any info on Evergreen Equity Investments in San Diego, California. Just wondering if this is another time share scam??
Skeptical
September 27, 2017

In reply to by Larry 59

Yes, I am talking to a George Williams that's has a "buyer" for my timeshare. I got an email from a company in Detroit that's shows a screen shot of an escrow in my name. I'm supposed to pay 10% that is already in my escrow, then 8% in the end. I have not signed anything binding yet and won't until I have cash in hand.
Skeptical
September 27, 2017

In reply to by Larry 59

Yes, I am talking to a George Williams that's has a "buyer" for my timeshare. I got an email from a company in Detroit that's shows a screen shot of an escrow in my name. I'm supposed to pay 10% that is already in my escrow, then 8% in the end. I have not signed anything binding yet and won't until I have cash in hand.
Links2
December 23, 2017

In reply to by Larry 59

My wife and I just got an email from Evergreen Equities to buy our timeshare in Los Cabos. They just sent us a purchase offer for three times more than we paid for it. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Will request more information from them and decipher what they provide me.
kp859
September 27, 2017
I have been contacted by International sales group New York and they have a buyer for my property in Cancun. They state that everything is ready to proceed with the sale but that I need to pay a RSC fee to the Mexican government in order to sell my property. The fee is 4500 dollars. Should I pay this.
Director Z
September 28, 2017
Has anyone been contacted by Plant Travel out of Cheyenne or NNewport In t. Investment out of Colarado Springs, Colarad? They are offering to lease my timeshare and paying me 23K.
Watch out Gold…
September 29, 2017
We were contacted by Gold Coast Real Estate in NY who had buyer for our timeshare in Cancun. The offered us $48700 with no money upfront but 7% commission taken out of the proceeds. Sent us a bank statement on Citibanamex showing they had set up an account in escrow using Global Alpha Capital and the moneu was waiting for us. Then another phone call they are ready to proceed but I need to pay $3,709.00 USD to open a SRE Taxpayer ID in Mexico but Reimbursement would come from the buyer. And I just saw some pink pigs flying past my window!!!!!
FTC Staff
September 29, 2017

In reply to by Watch out Gold…

You can help law enforcement by reporting this the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you have about who contacted you and what they said are important. The information you give will go into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations. Thank you.

dupedtoo
October 03, 2017

In reply to by Watch out Gold…

They duped me out of $11k. Thomas from Gold Coast and Adam from Global Capital. I should have done more due diligence up front before wiring the money to some one in Mexico. I am embarrassed. I filed a police report and requested a reverse payment but the Mexican bank hasn't responded. I also filed with FTC and BBB. I am hopeful but very upset. I am never giving up until they are charged for fraudulent activities.
wes
September 29, 2017
Midwest is contacting me at this time. any more news/information on them. My contact is Leo Brown... Licensed individually and as co in Oklahoma City
Maximo Tony
February 19, 2020

In reply to by wes

I was contacted by Leo Brown ,broker , Asset Purchasing Group tel 405-648-4722 to buy my timeshare but send a wire transfer in US dollars to a Mexican agent in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. I bank in Mexico and wanted to send MX pesos, but said NO... All Mexican companies have peso accounts to pay salaries, taxes, utilities. Leo would not provide tel number of business in Mexico non exsisting.....
bree
October 02, 2017
Yes, I got a call from Gold Coast Real Estate / Global Alpha Capital for our Mayan Palace. They seem like a Scam. Now I am getting calls from Basic Real Estate Solutions out of TN. Their website seems better....and that they do more Real Estate deals. Has anyone dealt with them? They are offering a lot of money for timeshares that you can't get rid of on e-bay....so, not a good sign. TN group Contact is Linda Martinez, agent. The sales caller said that the Mayan Palace timeshare group sells your name to these (scam) companies and that is how they get your ph & name & unit info.
xerx
October 03, 2017

In reply to by bree

I initially received calls from a Thomas Brown from National Resources group out of Hendersonville, TN offering me $32K for my timeshare. I asked for more information via email and never received. Now I'm getting calls from Gold Coast Real Estate out of New York City from a guy named Thomas Brown, and to add insult to injury, they are only offering $24K. LOL. Don't fall for it!!
dupedtoo
October 07, 2017

In reply to by xerx

I fell for it and now out of $11K. Same person from Gokd Coast Real Estate. Just reported them to FTC and BBB.
Scammed&Mad
October 10, 2017

In reply to by dupedtoo

We have also filed complaints with the BBB, FTC, IL Atty General and NY Atty General.
same scam
November 20, 2017

In reply to by Scammed&Mad

Gold Coast Realty just called and it is a scam. I have been scammed by another company and now keep them long enough on the phone to get information to be able to warn others of the scam.
Dr Pam
October 06, 2017
Just went through a similar scam, but no loss. New name SIGNATURE LUXARY PROPERTIES. Called our home several times and finally answered. Sent me a "offer contract" by e-mail with totally correct information on our Mayan time share group. Supposedly offered $27,800 to be placed in a "trust" with 8% commission due. My lawyer suggested checking BBB in PA. NO LISTING. WE WILL NOT send any signatures on a letter of being interested.
Lombi
October 12, 2017
Does anyone knows something about "International Resourcing Group LLC" located in Nashville TN? They are willing to buy my timeshare
JosLouisR
October 13, 2017
I have an offer from Alta Vista realty in Chicago offering me twice the price I paid for Time share with Bahia Principe 5 years ago. Does anyone knows something about them ? The Byer would be a company in Mexico
timeshareresalescam
November 20, 2017

In reply to by JosLouisR

same story I got,, buyer in mexico. I got scammed a few thousand, they are all scams. no one will buy timeshares.
Nutty anny
October 13, 2017
They r all scams, my advice is string them along for as ling as u can so that they think they have another mug. It is obviously big money. Even if u report them they always change their name so not sure what any authorities over here can do
Psandhogs
October 17, 2017
If you want to know if it's a scam just follow the address call to see if there is a company in the building..i got caught with assets and the wiring company was called cantor financial international...when I ask them about there address and what floor you on I didn't get a call back
richatd h
October 17, 2017
Anyone heard of internationalsalesgroupny?
MadinMissouri
November 09, 2017

In reply to by richatd h

Yes; I have been contacted by a John McCarthy at International Sales Group NY and offered about twice what we paid for our time share. Now they are asking for almost $5000 up front to buy the Mexican Tax ID number needed for the escrow account to fund. I have not sent any money and think this is a scam. BEWARE!!!
ISG scam
November 11, 2017

In reply to by richatd h

Their parent company is ISG out of Florida. Their office in NY is a virtual one. Appear to be NY licensed brokers but are a scam.
Okeith
October 18, 2017
Add Worldwide Property Group out of Orlando Florida to the list. Scam artist.
nearly duped
October 19, 2017
Watch out for the name: Stuart L Finz, also from Gold Coast Real Estate, Inc. 1007 Amsterdam Ave, New York,NY 10025; ph # 1-800-982-1368, ext 610. Story is an echo of those already posted. Thanks for everything you have all posted!
Murphy
October 24, 2017

In reply to by nearly duped

We are getting a lot of calls from Thomas E Soja same company, same address. He told us to check him out on eAccessNY.com - they are licensed... for what that is worth. Thanks for the heads up.
toogoodtobetrue
October 20, 2017
We too was contacted by Escape with Travels. We did send our contact for them to view. We signed their proposal for $54,000. Today we received a call notifying me of an email from an attorney helping me through this process. Attorney's name is Marie Sherman located in WY welcoming me as a customer. That's when I became suspicious. I just sent an email to my timeshare notifying them not to accept any documentation from Escape with Travels or any other company. My only concern is that they do not forge our signatures and put on any other documents!
Steve
November 10, 2017

In reply to by toogoodtobetrue

Hi, I too am in a contract with timeshare reseller called Best Travel Deals for my timeshare in Cabo... We signed their proposal for $100,000 and then got a welcome email from a law office called D. Marie Sherman. We signed there contract last week and now they say they have received funds from the "buyer" and are contacting my timeshare resort to finalize the transaction. We are not sure if this is *real* or a scam, but if it is a scam, it is a VERY GOOD SCAM! According to D. Marie Sherman's office, this transaction should be finalized next week, so I will reply again with the final results and let you know what happened... Cheers, Steve.
MicMan50
November 14, 2017

In reply to by toogoodtobetrue

I, too, was contacted by Escape with Travels and ultimately discovered they are totally a scam, using the same attorney, D. Marie Sherman, out of Casper Wyoming. DON'T SEND ANY MONEY!
More
October 25, 2017
Has anyone dealt with Getaway Travelers Inc.
p. user
February 06, 2018
Company Name: ALLIANCE BROKER INC. Company Address: 103 Marty Dr. Suite 201, buffalo, minnesota Company Website: www. alliancebrokerinc. com Company Phone: (612) 295-0329 Sales Person: justin monroe Sales Manager: justin monroe I was contacted by a guy named justin monroe not the writer he identified himself as the CEO of a company alliance broker from Minnesota he offer me to buy the right of use for my timeshare with Grand Luxxe for $92,000.00 USD. I played along just to see how far he will go, according to him his company (now he was the owner not the CEO) he told me no upfront fees or cost that his company will pay for the maintenance fees because Johnson & Johnson hired him to organize a golf tournament and that he was working directly with Vidanta. (I called vidanta and they don’t now the guy or the event). the funny part is that he mention that he will go to the bank to liquidate stocks from his company to pay me the $92,000 and less than 30 minutes he called me back to let me know the money was ready to be send, I guess the T+3 rules of the SEC doesn’t apply for this guy i mean really less than 30 minutes to trade stocks when the actual process is 3 days am sure he doesn’t even know this. And guess what happened when i told him i don’t want to continue he said no problem I will pay for the cancelation fee for you. Here is the info of this scammer not so smart he was arrogant all the time, he even sent me a license number that it shows another guy as CEO and the only register agent also. https: // mblsportal. sos. state. mn. us/ Business/ Search file number 1927122-2
skeptic1
November 08, 2017
Has anyone been contacted by Wellington Morgan Advisor based in Columbus Ohio. Was contacted with an Intent to Purchase fractional unit in Mexico for lot more than we paid for it. Have not been able to find any in BBB or the internet other than the company's website wellingtonmorganadvisors. com)
NotSoSure
November 16, 2017

In reply to by skeptic1

I was contacted by them. I am here because I can't find any information other than their own website online.
different names
November 20, 2017

In reply to by skeptic1

these scam companies change names so fast that we cant keep up. I was scammed and now just want to warn others. look up Mexico money wire scam. it is almost a step by step process on how they will scam you. I found it too late. they will take their time in convincing you.. don't fall for it.. if they ask for any money to be sent... ITS A SCAM, been there..
jbyrd0802
October 31, 2017
I received a call from US Timeshare Exchange. Has anyone dept with them at all?
willie
November 02, 2017
Received a call from Vacation Executive Resale in California Anyone had a call from them ?
Jackbwary
November 02, 2017
I am getting an offer from Premier Events LLC for a Cabo timeshare, with support of Title Specialists in Huntsville, AL. They are not asking for any money upfront. Anyone else hear from them?
Julie
November 09, 2017

In reply to by Jackbwary

We have rec'd an offer from the same company. Did you ever find out if it was a legit offer?
Roscoe
November 13, 2019

In reply to by Jackbwary

They all say, "no money up front" until the last minute and then there is a Mexican tax or fee for a permit which will be refunded by the buyer.
jimori
November 06, 2017
In the middle of a transaction with a Chris C. Chin with Gold Coast Real Estate, Inc. Everything looked legit until today when a Richard Brown called stating he's the broker and claimed we needed to pay the Mexican SAT a SRE Fee of $3,705.14, even though Chris S. Chin stated we did not have to pay anything upfront.
dupedtoo
November 13, 2017

In reply to by jimori

Don’t do it! Learn from my mistakes. They are still trying to get be to pay $5k . We have already lost $11k. Look at BBB site they finally got an F. I sent the complaint to them and the FTC
bug eyed
November 07, 2017
Received an offer from a company called Rock River Partners Firm. Has anyone heard or been contacted by them? Their letter is very similar to the example posted earlier.
RNlady
November 24, 2017

In reply to by bug eyed

We also received a call from Rock River Partners Firm. In looking up they have only had their web address for 5 months. When my husband questioned the amount they were going to give us they came back with a higher offer. I think they are a scam.
CCanadian
April 06, 2018

In reply to by RNlady

Do not give them anything. The “actor here are “Danny Rae”, “David Stevens” etc. They are in cahoots with Vinter Trust (Supposedly out of Denver). Principals there are Ronald Graham. These people are thieves. Unfortunately, when I contact the US FTC (Federal Trade Commission) they seem to take complaints but no follow up as these operators as still at large. They stick to the storyline like the thieves they are and try to avoid you. I suspect the website and phone listing will go dark soon as I keep calling
tblock
November 07, 2017
Planet Travel in Cheyenne, WY or Newport International investments in Colorado Springs, Co. Anybody know anything of either of them?
Nate
November 11, 2017
Royal Star Properties in Portland,Or.claims to have a Mexican buyer for my Timeshare at Mayan Palace in Cancun. They have offered me a closing with 1ST National Escrow in Denver for $42,000.They claim the Mexican Government requires a $3820 fee from any foreigners wishing to receive income from Mexico. They are requesting me to send the money now to a bank in Guadalajara. They claim not to be a scam. Anyone have feed back?
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