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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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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

rocket
December 10, 2018

In reply to by dleeb

i've tried several , they all want money upfront, so no I haven't
haleyinlr
September 02, 2018
I have a company that's been hounding me for several months now called Asset Real Estate investment (AREI) out of clayton. Mo. I asked them to go out and take a selfie of them standing in front of their building name. He wouldn't do it. They all sound Mexican also. They're named David Mathews and Joseph Harder. You sign a contract with them, and if you cancel, its $4 000. But no need to worry, you're not going to cancel. Then then get a call from Corporate Escrow. You have to deposit maintenance fee up front. The bank you have to wire the money to is international. They never tell you this upfront. That would then make you want to cancel, because my bank says they can't trace international wires. They told me not do it.
SueD
September 03, 2018
has anyone received a call from W & B Consulting Group LLC from Columbus Ohio offering to buy UVC Vacation Club and using escrow company by the name of Title 1, LLC in Phoenix, Arizona? Anyone know if it is a scam ? We are in the beginning process of selling but concerned that they are both not legitimate.
DON'T DO IT
December 07, 2018

In reply to by SueD

**BEWARE** NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH ANYONE CALLING YOU IN REGARDS TO PURCHASING YOUR TIMESHARES, UNLIMITED VACATION CLUB MEMBERSHIP (UVC), RCI OR ANY SUCH SIMILAR ENTITY WHICH CLAIMS TO OFFER RELATED SERVICES. THESE BOGUS COMPANIES FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN YOUR PERSONAL AND CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION WHICH MAKES IT SOUND LEGIT WHEN THEY CALL YOU SINCE THEY KNOW SOME SPECIFIC DETAILS. THEY WILL MAKE IT SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE AND IT IS. RED FLAGS SHOULD BE RAISED AND WAVING AT THIS POINT. THEY WILL OFFER YOU MORE MONEY THAN YOU PAID FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP. RED FLAGS AGAIN SINCE YOU CAN BUY MEMBERSHIPS FOR LESS THAN THE OFFER YOU WILL RECEIVE. IF YOU BRING THIS POINT UP TO THESE BOGUS COMPANIES, THEY WILL GIVE YOU SOME REASON WHY THEY CAN ONLY BUY EXISTING MEMBERSHIPS. THIS IS GARBAGE. THEY WILL ASK YOU TO DEPOSIT MONEY INTO AN INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR A "TRANSACTION FEE" OR SOME SIMILAR GARBAGE. THEY WILL TRY TO PRESSURE YOU INTO MAKING QUICK DECISIONS. DON'T DO IT. THIS IS GARBAGE AND, AGAIN, RED FLAGS SHOULD BE SMACKING YOU IN THE FACE. HARD. IT IS ALL A LIE. THEY WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY. IF YOU HAVE A MEMBERSHIP WITH ANY COMPANY FOR WHICH YOU HAVE RECEIVED CALLS AND OFFERS REGARDING PURCHASING YOUR MEMBERSHIP, TIMESHARE, ETC., ALWAYS CALL THEM FIRST BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING. ALWAYS QUESTION EVERYTHING THESE PEOPLE TELL YOU. YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWERS ARE LIES. BEWARE, BE CAREFUL AND TELL OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
been scammed
September 10, 2018
if you are asked to wire money it is a guarantee a scam. there are steps they follow to scam you and it is been around a long time and they are good, good. please goggle time share resale scams, look for the steps, process they use. all they do is change names. call you time share. no one is buying timeshares. they got me and others. do not do it, do not send money you will not ever see it and they have all the good deals and speeches as to why you need to wire money.. trust me,, I fell for it.. and lost.
Irene
September 24, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by First Property of New York? They contacted me today saying they are buying timeshares for a corporation from private owners because corporations are not allowed to obtain membership (and/or buy timeshares).
Bill H
September 25, 2018
can you tel me if International leader realty corp 13 holland ave, White plains NY 10603 is a scam. they want to resale my time share.
Mike Pro
October 01, 2018
Has anyone heard from a company called keytovacation? They called and offered to buy my parents timeshare for double what they paid for it.
Wondering???
October 01, 2018
Has anyone had any experience with Sequoyah Property llc? Some one called from there today sounding exactly like the scams described in this discussion.
dbski
October 22, 2018

In reply to by Wondering???

Yes, we have just been approached by Sequoyah also. Have some interesting observations about their website. Looks like a scam.
Lindsay
October 05, 2018
Anyone hear or royal management worldwide as a company that would sell a timeshare- they claim they have a buyer for my timeshare but do want a portion of money upfront before the sale that will be refunded. The website looks legit- but I am wary of a scam! Help?
CorreaFJ
October 11, 2018
Has anyone heard of Better Business Lodging or BBL? I will say, they were upfront with me and made no guarantees on the sale of the property. Also, I have been contacted by Travelstart.mx as well. They said no fees upfront and made me a good offer. I told them I would not pay a dime and then said ok. Just curious if anyone has followed all the way through and succeeded. Can anyone recommend a company to resale the timeshare. We don't care about the profit. We just want out.
David M.
October 17, 2018
I was contacted from Vayama Travel out of Mexico City and they have offered to buy available weeks from my 3 timeshare weeks/year that I own at the Mayan Palace Vacation Club. Does anyone have any timeshare related experience with Vayama Travel?
Nick B.
October 20, 2018

In reply to by David M.

I was also recently contacted by a representative claiming to be from Vayama in Mexico offering to buy our timeshare in Cabo for a price that seems to be too good to be true. No up front money requested though. Did you have any further experience with them David?
David M.
October 25, 2018

In reply to by Nick B.

Vayama also gave me an offer too good to be true...with reportedly no money up front. Tons of online complaints about their travel service - but no other good or bad comments about timeshare transactions. I know that my Vida contract requires me to pay a transfer fee but I've yet to respond to their offer.
BrianS
October 29, 2018

In reply to by David M.

Also got a offer from Vayama and was made a decent offer for my timeshare in Cabo. Proceeding cautiously. Please keep this forum updated with your findings.
RMR
November 02, 2018

In reply to by BrianS

I received a call from Vayama to sell my time share in Cabo, too. Having received dozens of offers to sell my time share in the past -- ALL of which turned out to be scams -- I assume that this, too, is a scam. Please let me know what happened with all of your interactions with Vayama.
Nick B.
November 13, 2018

In reply to by BrianS

I have also gotten an offer for my Cabo timeshare through Vayama, skeptical about these things as always, did you sell to them Brian?
bessie
November 16, 2018

In reply to by BrianS

Has anyone been told that once they sign the Sales agreement, they will be taken to court if they do not pay the fee for " naturalization"
estein
February 05, 2020

In reply to by bessie

I gave them the fee for the rfc number and am currenly trying to get the wire transfer back. They hit me up for more fees and are now threatening to take me to court because I told them I would terminate the transaction and this is all a scam. I am trying to figure out how and who to report them to . My bank says I need to file a police report for wire fraud. Anyone have any advoce
jay514
December 05, 2018

In reply to by David M.

i also was contacted by them, and they sent me a letter of intent via email. They advised they would wire transfer me $22,000 for my timehare....LOL. Anyone have anymore details about these people. I might just open a new bank account with $20 and have them transfer the money there.
karmawillbite
December 06, 2018

In reply to by jay514

They will first ask for dollars from you to be put into a trust account; typically they will align it to whatever your contract has as a transfer fee. Then all of a sudden, there will be realization of a new tax lien imposed on the account where your funds are. To protect against potential money laundering concerns, you have to put those taxes up into that same account. But, it's OK - you will be reimbursed. Except, you won't. If you keep it going, you will be surprised to learn that "at closing" you are rewarded for taking care of that tax lien such that the broker commission will also be reimbursed. You do need to go ahead and secure that commission in the same trust account, of course. That's the net sum of what's being seen through this commentary and experienced by good folks that believe the rest of the world operates with consistent and ethical business values.
srb2018
October 19, 2018
Has anyone heard of All Travel Services in Colorado Springs?
Nana-of6
November 10, 2018

In reply to by srb2018

I have just recently received a call from All Travel Service as well wanting to purchase 10 weeks of our stays at a Resort in Cancun. I’m checking into them right now. One thing is that they do answer the phone on the other phone number provided.
gmurray
November 15, 2018

In reply to by srb2018

Yes I was contacted by allservicetravel.com they even sent me a contract from Pioneer Title & Escrow out of Portland... How do I report them because they keep calling and I am sure it is a scam
rockets
November 20, 2018

In reply to by srb2018

I literally just hung up the phone from all travel services In Colorado,yeah they made me a pretty huge offer but when they came to the point where they wanted money upfront red flags were raised they will not leave me alone though they keep trying. When they first emailed me a contract they “ accidentally “ sent me somebody else’s contract showing all that went through in the money they made them a minute after that sent my contract there again as a red flag sending somebody else’s contractor it a think oh yeah other people are doing it. I’m afraid these are scammers for sure be aware and for all those on this Thread never never pay money upfront for something you’re trying to sell ,out for now , good luck to all
almost suckered
October 22, 2018
Asset Real Estate Investment got me all worked up. It sounded too good to be true and now I see that it is. Offered five years rental for a total of $38k. Today they dropped the bomb. Wire them almost $4k in advance. I’m done. BEWARE. My rep “Justin” is always “Blessed”. Most Hispanics aren’t named Justin. Just so disappointing to see that there is this level of sophistication in thieves.
Doug
November 20, 2018

In reply to by almost suckered

I’ve been contacted by INTERNATIONAL LEADER REALTY CORP with an offer to purchase my vacation ownership in IBEROSTAR. Anyone else been contacted?
Bear
October 23, 2018
Scammed for $45,000. Got in too far and still seemed to have merit. I have a brain and doctorate and still got caught.First from Rocky Mountain equity investments, Denver Colorado, represented by Marshall Abrahams (doubt) using retired license #. referred to Golden Gates Escrow, San Francisco, represented by Cesar Rubio. First needed money sent to Mexico to confirm property free and clear. Then money to pay taxes on property alledged due to government in Mexico imposing tax since NAFTA went down. Then supposedly wire transfer got misdirected to Asia. Now money back but requires $13,800 insurance policy to guarantee wire transfer makes it through. Denver address is 700 sq foot empty house for rent. San Francisco property in financial district never heard of them. Bank in Mexico states account funds sent to cleaned out and on closer check was opened with fraudulent paper work. I have reported it to local police, fraud division of California Bank and Trust, and on line to the FBI via form IC3. I have also driven to San Diego and filed a in person report with the FBI. I have been told they would only pursue if aggregate from one source totaled greater than $200,000. I suggest that all write to their congressmen and senators and complain since all these people do is change their letter head and hijack another license # and continue defrauding the citizens of America. Tho embarrassing to be so gullible tell your friends and call your timeshare companies and have them put out a bulletin to their owners warning them. Best to you all. Be happy to be alive
FTC Staff
October 23, 2018

In reply to by Bear

You can also report to your state Attorney General, and the Attorneys General in the states where the other businesses were located, as well as the state agencies that regulate and/or license real estate sellers in those states.

David M.
October 25, 2018
Has anyone had any experience selling your timeshare through Vayama?
Jimbo Jones
November 11, 2018
If you think about this from the other side, it's a pretty safe and almost guaranteed profit scam . If you already have a time share, it shows that you have already committed money for nothing, and would give anything to get out of that deal. An easy mark for a good con man.
ConfusedOwner
November 12, 2018
I got contacted by Agoda. Has anybody heard from them? They are offering to buy my UVC membership and asking for a proof of ownership.
humbug!!!
November 14, 2018
What do you know of a company called Accelerated Sales And Marketing, LLc, out of Atlanta GA. They claim to be representatives of a large investor who wants to purchase timeshares and vacation rentals to use as tax write off. Have your readers ever heard of them?
John
December 14, 2018

In reply to by humbug!!!

Yes I was just contacted by Scott Allen Bailey at accelerated sales. Also classic story of new NAFTA deal, tax write offs God bless Donald Trump because the man knows how to make busines... I got carried away for a few minutes but a quick internet search proves it. Scam again. Be careful!
mando rodrigue…
November 18, 2018
look out for delta title services company llc, kyle Polanco; in on the scheme is Salvador Trujillo of Sequoyah property business investments llc; keep eye on closing Mexican company by the name Promoteria...receiving pre pay transfer fees and brokers fee. In the process of ascertaining trustworthiness and suggest you research them.
Joe Zam
February 13, 2019

In reply to by mando rodrigue…

Mando... I'm currently in the middle of a deal with these same people... did yours work out O.K.???
Jarri M
November 19, 2018
Has anyone heard about First Properties Of New York LLC? and has anyone has succesfully sold their timeshare? with wich company?
W.M
February 18, 2019

In reply to by Jarri M

Yes, First Property of New York LLC (fake broker company) with their affiliate AAA Management Corp. (Fake title company) managing the escrow account in Mexico (fake). These fraudsters using real company names but different address. I am a recent victim of their “Mexico Escrow timeshare rental fraud”. They said to have a client in Mexico (Sociedad inmobiliaria hotelera de Mexico SA. De CV.) to rent out 10 weeks of my timeshare.
some guy
November 22, 2018
Hudson Holdings approached me, they were convincing. But pretty amateur, a couple checks on the internet and they were sent packing.
abc
December 04, 2018

In reply to by some guy

I have been contacted by hudson holdings as well. Have been searching the internet and found nothing. What did you find that told you they were a scam?
Ed
December 16, 2018

In reply to by abc

I can't find anything other than this comment that indicates they are a scam. They do have a convincing website. So who has any info....... Please!
Bg
November 28, 2018
Anybody used master international company?
tiget
February 12, 2019

In reply to by Bg

We were contacted by them. Did you do anything with them?
TJMartin54
February 21, 2019

In reply to by tiget

Has anyone ever done a legit deal with Master International Company.
VolineD
December 03, 2018
Like people above comments I have also been contacted by Capitol Management Business Consultants in Colorado Springs to either lease or sale my time share. Has anyone found out or have an update if they are for real or a con also ?? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
Tempted
December 06, 2018
Vayama tempted me with a generous offer and voices that sound legitimate. They didn’t request up front fees like the others. They insisted on transferring money to my bank and for me to pay 5% fee within five days of my receipt of funds. RED FLAG. I asked a contract stating this intent. They sent a fake draft. They wanted my signed Cabo timeshare contract sent first. RED FLAG. I slept on it. Glad I read these comments first. I am avoiding their trap!!
Peter O
December 06, 2018
We have been contacted repeatedly by Maple International about selling our timeshare. We assumed it was a scam but wanted to make sure. I have not seen them listed here, so if anyone has any information on them that would be great!
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