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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.

Patti
March 06, 2018
Another scam business--Nationwide Settlement Solutions 420 S. Enterprise, Missouri phone no. 417-812-6593..Will not remove from calling list or mailing; very abusive....
MARION2640
March 06, 2018
Has anyone been scammed by Royal Star Properties out of Portland Oregon? They have contacted me hoping to buy weeks at Mayan Palace Riviera Maya, 15 weeks for $42,000. Sounds too good to be true.
Holli Wood
March 07, 2018
I was contacted by a broker named Peter J Lang (1-866-380-6297 Ext.691) from Silver City Properties. He said he had a buyer who was willing to pay me $109,00.00 for my timeshare at the GRAND Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta. He claimed my timeshare was appraised at $109,000, over three times the amount I paid for. He stated that there were no fees upfront and that the buyer would be paying for the title transfer and the escrow fees. All I would have to pay is 6% brokerage fee. I was then contacted by Benjamin Carmona who claimed he worked for American Finance SLP, LLC, a title/escrow company. He sent me a Citibanamex form to fill out. I did some research and discovered that Silver City Properties' listed address on their website (347 E. Main St. Suite 301, Rochester NY 14604) does not exist. If you Google the address, go to street view it shows a building with a door. However, if you check the BB they are not rated and mail was returned. The building Google street view is showing is an apartment complex. The escrow company states address of 8o State Street however a call to property management reported no such tenant in the building. Escrow application is in Spanish was a red flag. I am pretty sure this is a scam this is a scam.
river-wind
March 16, 2018

In reply to by Holli Wood

Just contacted the Properties office for Monroe County, NYS, and they have confirmed that no business by the name of Silver City Properties is registered in the county, and that there is no 347 E. Main St; as mentioned above, the building shown by Google Maps is actually addressed on East Ave. I'm currently contacting the State AG's office to see about filing a complaint; anyone who has actually seen damages due to this company should contact them as well. If this is in fact a scam, then they will know what to do next.
Tarun
March 16, 2018

In reply to by Holli Wood

I was also contacted by the same people, and after reading all these incidents reported I am very sure this a scam, thanks for sharing your experience.
No Fool on the…
March 07, 2018
I just confirmed with New Mexico Real Estate Commission (505) 222-9820 (ask for lead investigator Lin Carter or his assistant Jill) that this is a scam. Its a variation of the Nigerian Prince scam. They offered to buy my time share for more than it was purchased for. They then set up what looks like a legitimate escrow. At the end, before they close, they tell you to send them money for taxes or commission. Bye Bye money. Remember, if it's too good to be true... IT IS A SCAM!
LLG
March 08, 2018
Had many conversations with Ryan Manley of Golden Asia Realty, offered me $130,000 for a timeshare that we paid $41,000 for. After further discussion, Ryan said they would need to reappraise, and then offered $233,000; when asked why anyone would want to spend that much money when they could just buy it for $41,000, Ryan said 'for tax purposes.' I asked many times if there would be any upfront money, and he kept telling me no. Even though we knew he must be full of...crap, we kept talking to him. He sent a lot of official looking paperwork, we were contacted by Nations Capital Inc., a title insurance company. The girl there told me all I had to do was send $5,200 for the RFC number (in order to pay the Mexico taxes), then the closing could be set. I called Ryan back and told him we would NOT be sending them any money, and he said it was necessary for the number. I reminded him that he said we would not need to send any money. He said that we could go to Mexico ourselves and get the number; I told him that would not be happening either. He said that I'd either have to get the number myself or send them the money for it. I again told him that I would not be doing either of those things, he asked why I wouldn't want $233,000. I said that if he could figure out how to get the number with no money from us, then go for it. I haven't heard from him since. (I was also told by our timeshare that there is no tax due in Mexico.) I still have all the paperwork they sent. I'm thankful that we had we are slightly suspicious by nature and sent them no money.
Debbin
March 12, 2018
So, ARE there any legitimate companies out there?? ARE there any companies out there that charge a fee on contingency??? If they succeed in resolving the consumer's involvement, the consumer pays. It's sound great that they guarantee money back, but that means nothing if they do nothing and just disappear. Good luck getting that money back. So, who does one go to???? Any suggestions??
kkc
March 13, 2018
Anyone hear anything positive or negative about Sugar Creek Property Investments, or Sugar Creek Investments from Charlotte NC? They are offering quite a sum for my time share in Cabo. It does seem too good to be true. I haven't signed the intent to sell document, so I don't know if they hit you with the fee after receipt.
powderpuff
March 13, 2018
Had the same experience similar to many of the bloggers. PINNACLE VACATIONS is the company. They charged ~$1,700 for timeshare resale, advertising, promotion, etc. Promised it will go towards the resale price. One year ago, I saw the unit on their resale website. Not anymore. It was supposed to be 90 days, then 180 days, then one year, and now no answer even though we were promised a no-cost refund after the year. What did anyone of you do to recover the cost and dis-credit the company? Better Business Bureau BBB.gov gave us no response either. Small claims? A lawyer? Don't want to deal with another scam artist!
kdk
March 15, 2018
Just received 2 offers from Trip.com and Remate. Anyone had any dealings with them? They have asked for no $ and I told them I would give them no money until sale is completed. They both still want to proceed. ???
Belltree48
March 20, 2018

Got phone call from Golden Asia Realty offering a really large amount for our time share. Looked them up on lone- they have web page says they are in NYC...so I checked- read below:

NYS Department of State Division of Corporations Informational Message The information contained in this database is current through March 16, 2018. No business entities were found for Golden Asia Realty. Please refine your search criteria. To continue please do the following: Tab to Ok and press the Enter key or Click Ok.

Discouraged 12…
April 06, 2018

In reply to by Belltree48

Recd same call from Golden Asia; wanted 9% commission plus for us to pay $5275 to firm handling sale in Mexico! Spoke w/ a Mr Borchini & a Calvin Barrett! Shame on them to try to scam 2 seniors!!
hamair
April 06, 2018

In reply to by Belltree48

I have been working with Golden Asian Realty and nations capital for some months now. Unfortunately, I have lost money to them. Them being Mexico. Golden Asian Realty has a really elaborate set up. So many red flags , However, they have answers for everything. Still can’t believe they might be scammers. They really convinced me. be very very careful
Another one scammed
April 14, 2018

In reply to by hamair

Report them to FBI Field Office. Scammed us too. When there is enough money loss. FBI will go after them for us.
Another one scammed
April 14, 2018

In reply to by hamair

Report to FBI and AG's. Need enough fraud for them to investigate. We lost a lot. Please team up with us.
Corvette70
April 11, 2018

In reply to by Belltree48

I have been approached by Golden Asia Realty also. I looked at New York's BBB for Golden Asia Realty with no luck. Nations Capital Inc is the Title Services Company and I could not find them at New York's Licensing Agency DFS.
Canadaman
April 11, 2018

In reply to by Belltree48

I got this same phone call from a so called Anthony from Gilden Asia realty. I know all about these scams so I played with him for a few weeks but then shut him down with my own lies, funny he don’t email or call anymore. Haha
SoCalSurf
March 21, 2018
Yet another new one to watch out for, Halicon Brokerage Group. They claim to be in Chicago, though judging by the quality of their phone lines, probably really in the Lost City of Atlantis. Total scam, no broker licence and of course not really at the address they are saying. Be careful everyone.
SoCalSurf
March 21, 2018
Yet another new name to add to the scammer list. Halicon Brokerage Group out of Chicago IL. To begin with they made a ridiculous unsolicited offer. Next as I keep saying, any broker in the US must by law list their broker number on their website. Of coarse they don't list or even have one. The are a new company whose website server is in Europe somewhere. Their phone sounds as if they are located in the Lost City of Atlantis. So I'm sure their call did not really originate in Chicago. The street address they list does not have a Halicon Brokerage Group there...Please be careful everyone. Just because they have a nice looking website, does not mean they are real. People are sometimes desperate to sell their timeshare, but no one will ever unsolicited offer you more than you paid, EVER.
yellowtang
April 09, 2018

In reply to by SoCalSurf

Hi SoCal Surf: this company from Chicago is , indeed, acscammer. They hack into legit Realty company’s phone system and client base, learns how the other company goes through the process then they start calling clients. Recently, they were able to tap into the data and phone base of Golden Asia Realty. When this so-called bogus campany “usually Robert” calls, he will pose as Golden Asia Realty and as the Title company, as well. Just to be sure, do your diligence by getting as much information you can get from your salesman then ask for their current license number. Then go to the State Realty licensing office. If the name does not apprear then he is bogus. If he gave you a livense number, still check the realtor state licensing dept to mske sure that the license number co inside with the one showing on the State listing.
meg
March 24, 2018
Having the same experience with Halicon. Does anyone have anything positive with them?
drgeophys
April 04, 2018

In reply to by meg

Halicon Brokerage Group is NOT a real business. After a number of conversations, they were still not able to point me to US IRS language that would show I am not held to capital gains taxes, as they claim. They also were not able to provide me their broker/license numbers. The address they provided on website and the "Certified Offer" letter they emailed me is in Chicago, but when I reached out to the building owner, they do not have office space there and were identified as a scam. I also called Vidanta, the vacation resort my contract is with, and they have been reported several times. Even though the Illinois Attorney General's office does not have complaints and on file and they have an account with BBB, they are NOT a legitimate business. All information they had on my contact was acquired illegally and not because of Vidanta (they claimed because they had a certified buyer they were able to know some details before approaching me for negotiations). DO NOT continue any communications with Halicon.
Scott
April 04, 2018

In reply to by meg

I have a guy from Halicon offering me $ with no up front fees at all. None for Mexico taxes or fees either. He says he gets the 8% commission when the deal is done and I am already paid. The timeshare is the one wanting me to pay $1800 closing costs to sign over to new owner. Are you asked to pay up front fees?
drgeophys
April 04, 2018

In reply to by Scott

Halicon sets up an escrow account for the "buyer" to deposit your agreed purchase amount into. Once there, you are asked to pay Halicon the commission, but it is not allowed to come out of the final transaction or from the escrow account. You will be asked/required to pay the commission amount from your personal bank account. My suspicion is that once you do that, the escrow account is closed, leaving you without your money.
Don't use your…
April 07, 2018

In reply to by Scott

Notice on Halicon's "website" they do not have a Real Estate Brokers Licence. Any real estate broker knows, by law, they MUST list their licence number. They are a scam, run away as fast as you can.
T Todd
March 26, 2018
Has anyone heard of Marketing Trustees of America. They want to sell my timeshare at Marina Fiesta to a ready buyer but I need to send $3995 to the Notario first. Sound Familiar?
JKetcham
April 02, 2018

In reply to by T Todd

We've recently received an offer from the same company for the same fee for our Hacienda (sister to Marina) timeshare. Have you received any other information?
LAS
April 03, 2018
what about Magnum Realty Group - out of California?? Bought Vacation Time Share - down payment of $8000 and then cancelled my credit card the very next month. They got the 8000 but are now telling me that someone wants to buy my timeshare for $16000 US. Highly unlikely. please help if you know anything.
Trinidad Girl
April 03, 2018
I was also contacted by Halicon. Any insight to this Company?
cmor
April 03, 2018
has anyone been scammed by golden asia realty or nation's capital inc?
Jenna
April 04, 2018
Golden Asia Realty wants to sell my timeshare for a large amount. They work with Nations Capital Inc. Both are in New York. Has anyone worked with them and what was the result?
hamair
April 09, 2018

In reply to by Jenna

Yes, regrettably. I researched them what I thought was very closely, but evidently not closely enough. I seemed to have lost money with them. Their answer was Mexico took it. Now they want me to pay brokers fees for deal that has gone bad because I withdrew my request to sell. They have many red flags in their operation. In fact I saw similar format with other scams on the Internet. It matched them to a T. Their organizational scheme is quite sophisticated and they do seem real. However, when I asked them for a photograph from their office window with the salesman unit, whose name was used at that time of Robert T Edwards, they refused to send any photographs stating it was against the law to show any personal information to the seller. Figure that out. My position is now Dash run away as fast as you can.
Scott
April 04, 2018
Halicon website not even 1 yr old. Huge RED FLAG. I don't see any info on Halicon. They offered me $ with nothing up front. Only 8% commission on the back end after I am paid. The timeshare wants to charge me $1800 i closing costs. Any info on Halicon would be appreciated. Thanks
meg
April 06, 2018

In reply to by Scott

I was offered similiar deal by halicon. Commission is paid on the back end. However when it came time to sign the contract they needed 3500 for resort fees which would be reimbursed after closing. Told them i would think about it and haven't from them since. Not sure why anyone would pay triple for what i bought a couple of years ago.
Barbara
April 08, 2018
Anyone heard of Colorado One Real Estate, LLC? They have a website, but the person contacting me is not listed. I received an unsolicited offer to sell or rent my timeshare.
KK
April 12, 2018

In reply to by Barbara

Hi Barbara. I was also contacted by Colorado Real estate. The guy I was dealing with said his name is Leonard Hoffman. He offered a good price to buy my timeshare. SInce I have been genuinely busy i didnt get a chance to respond to his request. He called 4 times asking me to fax/email him my time share contract. I was just about to email him my contract (off course with pertinent informations blacked out) and I decided to search his company and found you. We should update each other.
Andy P
April 17, 2018

In reply to by Barbara

Colorado One Real Estate has called me 10 times in 7 days, and offerred me $236,100 for a time share that cost me $10,200 when I negotiated it last year. Seems like a score, LOL..........
Arvada
April 10, 2018
Anyone been contacted for Mayan Palace TS purchase by NATIONAL BROKERAGE CORPORATION of NYC, and thier partner CCW HOLDINGS acting as the Escrow agent, using CITIBANAMEX to hold the trust account for completion of the purchase ?
chica
April 12, 2018

In reply to by Arvada

can you please tell us what happened> I have been contacted as well
Lito
April 16, 2018

In reply to by Arvada

I was contacted by one Ann Marquez with the offer to buy our time shares in Cancun, Mexico. First they were asking for 11% commission upon the sale of the timeshares, which they later removed from the contract. They told me that the buyer is a Chinese Company Shandong Gold based in China, The offer looked too good to ignore and we signed the letter of intent to sell. Quite a few emails transpired and then they sent me a statement form an escrow Company Named CCW Holdings based in New York City. The money was held in escrow by CITIBANAMEX. Then they said that we have to pay the two state taxes for the timeshares, Quintana Roo and Jalisco. They sent the two invoices from said states, and they looked authentic, so we sent the wire transfers to the escrow company, and they sent a receipt from CITIBANAMEX. As time went by, we ended up paying a Customs License for the money to be transferred into our account. Everything looked good until CITIBANAMEX required us to pay 42,000USD for a "license bond" to be returned to us after 15 days of the sale- supposed to protect the bank and us for FATCA and money laundering- sounds very legitimate!! Here comes the bomb- CITIBANAMEX wired the money to our account at Bank of America, but the account number was wrong, and BA refused the wire. CCW Holdings asked the Mexican bank to re-wire the money to the correct account, then we received word from NBC that the buyer walked out of the deal, and CITIBANAMEX cancelled the escrow and transferred al the money to another bank BANCOMER. Now NBC tells me ( this time it's the NBC owner Charles Beck ) that I will have to go to court in Mexico City to get my money out of escrow, at my own expense and to have my lawyer represent us. I think that NBC, CCW Holdings and the Mexican Banks are in cahoots with each other. This Charles Beck even said that I will lose all my money if I don't show up during the court hearing. He was also very rude and unprofessional when he was talking with me- Please, HELP!!! I only survive on my SSS retirement...
FTC Staff
April 17, 2018

In reply to by Lito

You or your lawyer could contact your state Attorney General,  your bank, or the bank that is holding your money. You could report the timeshare company to the wire transfer company you used to send the money.Call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492 or the MoneyGram Customer Care Center at 1‑800‑926‑9400.

The United States Embassy in Mexico has this information for US citizens about banks in Mexico:   Banking: If you are having problems with a bank account in Mexico, you may contact the CONDUSEF (National Commission for the Protection of Users of Financial Services) telephone toll free from any location inside Mexico: 01 800 999 80 80.  Webpage: www.condusef.gob.mx

Robert
January 23, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

How do I file a complaint regarding the scam of buying back timeshares?
Eln
April 18, 2018

In reply to by Lito

I’m in the same situation. Contacted by Sarah Steiner from NBC. Also an escrow officer named Damian Kennedy from CCW Holding. Please help!
reindeer
May 11, 2018

In reply to by Lito

Same situation here! I am open to suggestions on getting my money back and how to report these people. Have you had calls from Matthew Simmon-supposedly the CEO of the company
Same story-Let…
May 15, 2018

In reply to by reindeer

Same story-A Realty Group(Magnum Realty-Bradley Johnson) calls they have a buyer for our Vidanta(Grand Bliss) Mexico timeshare that we got scammed on when we bought years ago. The offer is 4x what we paid(too good to be true-1st RED flag). They set up an escrow account(@Citibanmex) in our name with a Officer(Erick Esparza w/Capital Transfer Associated Services, LP). Then the Mexico government supposedly wants taxes and they request wire transfers. Unfortunately We fell for the first request $3,200.The documents are so official looking and for every wire amount they asked for the money would be put in the fake escrow account.How could we loose? When the second transfer request came in we called the phone numbers on the Citibanamex account statement, they did not work. We called Citibank in the state we live they gave us the international phone number. Surprise surprise they could NOT verify the account!! The account#s, CLABE #s, and federal registration #s were not any numbers they could verify. When we called the "Escrow holder"-Erick Esparza he called me a liar and said his other customers were able to verify the escrow accounts.After that call we emailed Bradley saying the escrow money needs to be in a trust account in our name.... That all went down on Friday and today(Tuesday) we received a cancellation notice from Magnum that we OWE them commission and if not paid they will bring legal actions against us. HA (The FINAL attempt to get money out of us). TODAY I have filed a complaint with the FTC and plan on reporting to the state legislator. I suggest all of you to do the same.We need to STOP this cycle! Our stories are all the same with different players!!
Bilked-in-puer…
September 18, 2018

In reply to by Arvada

Oh yeah. Get calls all the time from some sort of agent with hot buyers.
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