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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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Guess who?⁹
April 22, 2020

In reply to by GRITS44

Have also been approached by Travellink. Offered substantial dollars. Legal firm, not same as one mentioned, is becoming very aggressive . Like many I become suspicious of their operation. Holding off on confirming until there is more validation .
Bahia membership
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Mel

I had an offer from them today, sure it is too good to be true. decided not to sign the contract.
gag
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Mel

We have being contact by travellink too… sound to great!! is anyone got money
Tucker
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Mel

I have been contacted as well, They have offered to buy my timeshare and have had a New York attorney prepare a contract. Very skeptical! Anyone ever closed a deal with them?
Shaz
December 14, 2019
Last April I was contacted by Center-point Advisors for selling my Villa Del Palmar membership. i've been speaking to them for the last eight months and I finally decided to stop over the last two days. It is December 2019. I worked with a Robert Chapman and was offered a very large sum of money. I have handed over 70,000+ dollars and I've never seen anything. I am beside myself. I won't have a place to live shortly. Does anybody have any idea what I can do? There must be something!
rob30q
February 19, 2020
Elite acquisition wants to buy my timeshare Just need me to send them my I’d and timeshare papers Anyone else been aporoached
tom45
February 22, 2020

In reply to by rob30q

I have been contacted by Elite Aquisitions partners, Oklahoma City saying they have a buyer that wants timeshare for to have control of the voting rights hence the good offer. Not sure this company is genuine. Has anyone else been contacted by this company?
Statia
February 19, 2020
Is 'my timeshare options' a reliable company? 1060 Woodcock Rd. Ste 128 #62867 Orlando Fl. 32803-3607
ArealRealEstat…
January 02, 2020
Attention Everyone. Stop paying these companies upfront fees - for ANY reason. Please just stop. Legitimate timeshare real estate brokers get paid a commission at the point of sale and would never ever call or email to ask if you want to sell or rent or whatever. We are overrun with sellers and renters now and spend our valuable time searching frantically for BUYERS. Just say NO to up front fees, please.
Ann in Phoenix
January 06, 2020
Today, a David Baker from Center Point Advisors , located in Chicago IL. Said he has a buyer who’s offered $26k + for my timeshare w/ Club Tesoro in Cabo. What’s the old adage? If it’s too good to be true, it is.. lol not today Satan.. not today..
paulb
January 07, 2020
We were contacted by Prodigy Vacations out of Jacksonville FL about renting our timeshare weeks in mex. They are working with Franklin Escrow Services out of Boise ID. Has anyone worked with either of them?
wfka4
January 08, 2020
We received a call from Adams Realty offering to purchase our timeshare in Cancun for $35,000. Everything seemed legitimate until they asked for $3,700 upfront to be legal for the buyer to purchase it from someone from another company. Thankfully we didn't give them any money.
Saw25
January 14, 2020
Has anyone heard or dealt with Luxury Destinations out of Nevada and or the Law Firm of Jennifer Anne Black out of Connecticut ? They want a Foreign Affairs fee for selling a time share in Mexico .
Jw
March 17, 2020

In reply to by Saw25

They contacted me too. Just went through someone trying to scam me from Franklin Escrow Services and Travel Consultants. I refused to send them money.
jojo72
January 16, 2020
Has anyone dealt with Ace Properties LLC, Philadelphia, PA?
Brian203
February 05, 2020

In reply to by jojo72

they want more money from me and say say they get in righting the deal from the SAT. OR TAX ADMINISTRATION SERVICE
daughter tryin…
January 17, 2020
My mom was contacted by ObOdo out of México to sell her timeshare with Unlimited Vacation Club. The attorney for her to use with this transaction is Terri James out of California. She received an email stating she had to pay taxes for Captial Gaines or else the Mexican government was going to seize all her money. Has anyone had a similar experience,
Walter
January 22, 2020
Do you have any information on Bull & Bear Properties, 55 West Monroe Street, Chicago IL 60603 ? They've just sent us an unsolicited offer on a timeshare property. Names on the document include Howard Edwards and Christopher Crocker.
Beware!
February 27, 2020

In reply to by Walter

Confirmed by the property management company at 55 West Monroe Ave that Bull & Bear Propertie LLC is not a tenant and does not maintain an office in that building. Another scam ! Run!!
Porcogirlz
January 23, 2020
Is e resorts (Executive Resorts), 3rd party company, legitimate? If I want to sell where do I go to trust the deal esp if one lives in canada having a U.S. timeshare
ldeloureiro@gm…
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Porcogirlz

I'm curious if you ever received a response regarding Executive resorts?
Walter
January 27, 2020
was contacted by "Bull & Bear Properties" of 55 W. Monroe St, Chicago IL. for a purchase of our timeshare 3x more than we paid. Illinois Secretary Of State shows the company is registered out of a house, but their address on web page & paperwork is 55 W Monroe St. That address is a office building... the office building management has no knowledge of this fraud/company. Does the FTC want the email chain/info?
Ray
January 28, 2020
Has anyone been in contact with a company named Empire City Brokerage in New York and Massachusetts ? They want to buy my UVC membership, using a title company in L.A. call Demand and Escrow, llc. Money is being held in a bank in Mexico called Citibanamex, no fees or money to be paid, until you close. However the bank statement that they provided doesn't jive. I call the bank directly and the employee could not verify the account, nor did the phone numbers match that were on the bank statement to the real bank. Also the title company does not have a Producers license readily available, they could only provided their llc, which doesn't mean diddly squat... They actually use names of registered real estate agents, and they all could win an academy award with their lies. Any responses would be appreciated, since I would like to protect anyone else from the potential scam, if I did sell, I want it to be legal, and actually factual. Read all the other post, and I hope this helps someone !!!
ananko
March 15, 2020

In reply to by Ray

I was contacted by Empire City Brokerage who represented they had a buyer for our timeshare in Cancun. They requested that we sign an "application" for a trust account into which the "buyer" would deposit the funds from the purchase. The "application" is on a form Citibanamex. We did that and were advised we would receive a welcome package from an escrow company in New York. We have not yet been asked for money as other appear to have been here, but rather been advised the buyer would cover all costs and taxes required in the sale and by the Mexican government. This all sounds too familiar and like a scam. Any thoughts? Are there other similar experiences? Who do we report these activities to if this is indeed a scam?
Raja
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Ray

Hi Ray I currently own a timeshare at UVC membership at Cancun, Mexico. One agent from Empire City contacted me to buy my membership for a very good deal. A request to send my consent to Demand and Escrow LLC that I have not yet responded to. They have not asked me to deposit any money or asking for any money. The agent says, the deal will be closed only after the money is transferred into my escrow account. It is sounding too simple to believe. How did you transaction coming along? Regards Raja
Scammed :(
April 20, 2020

In reply to by Ray

Ray, did you ever continue your transaction with Empire City Brokerage? They contacted me back in late November 2019 and was suckered into their too-good-to-be true transaction (i.e. sale of my vacation membership). I feel naive and gullible and hope no one goes through the same; they should be closed. I lost a total of $25,000...(yes, I could kick myself)...I stopped communication with them in February 2020 and out of the blue recently got contacted- this time by the "CEO"- to close the transaction. Nope, bye-bye. You caused too much anxiety for me, Mr. CEO. Anyhow, trying to find a way to get my money back. Don't know if I ever will.
Pablo
June 23, 2020

In reply to by Ray

I got an offer from 118 international realty in NY and it seemed too good to be true. It amazes me how these thieves do this kind of business and get away with it!!!
Gypsy
February 03, 2020
We were contacted by travellink out of the Scandinavia countrys, about buying our UVC timeshare. Do u have any info on them. Good or bad ?
Brian203
February 05, 2020
am dealing with them and still ask for more money.Has anyone have anythimg good to say about the outcome?
tm0127
February 06, 2020
Can anyone share knowledge or experience selling their timeshare to eDreams based in Spain? I would appreciate it, thanks!
Friskiwon
March 05, 2020

In reply to by tm0127

Hi, I was curious to hear if you ever go any information on eDreams out of Spain? I have a timeshare offer and am skeptical of this offer. Please respond with what you found out. thanks Janine
nettaandersen
March 06, 2020

In reply to by Friskiwon

Janine, I haven’t accepted yet. What have you experienced?
canada
February 06, 2020
is Kalota real estate legit in selling your timeshare
Almost scammed
February 06, 2020
We were contacted by World Management and Promotions Inc., located in Bloomington, MN, and they wanted to purchase some of our weeks at the Palace resorts. Claimed they had clients wanting to attend a PGA event in Cancun/Playacar area. They gave us links to check out their license in Minnesota. Everything looks legit. BBB had no complaints filed. The offer was way more than we paid for the timeshare. When they asked for $7,600 to secure the weeks for their client, we balked. They had very realistic answers for all of our questions. They sent us information to wire the funds through Crystal-Title with the assurance that the funds would be returned to us after the sale closed. The wire address was in Puerto Vallarta. When I checked the websites and license, it again looks legit. However, since I had been concerned that this could be a scam, I googled the address for Crystal-Title and found that the business at the Savage, MN address was indeed a title company but NOT Crystal-Title. I called the title company listed on the property and was informed that Crystal-Title had been using their address and was fraudulent. They had had many calls from people AFTER the timeshare holders had already wired funds to Mexico. Beware of any calls that sound too good to be true, even though they look legit. World Management and Promotions and Crystal-Title have gone to great lengths to cover all of their bases to appear to be the real thing. We did not wire the money and will be reporting everything we know about these two companies to the authorities.
sceptic seller
February 20, 2020
We received an offer from International Properties ULTD for our timeshare in Mexico "broker" named Christopher a Cody Chilton Anyone else sell with this company?
Donna
March 04, 2020

In reply to by sceptic seller

I have had a call and offer for my unit in Mexico. This is in USD. No process has happened. Name is Adam Miller. I need info too.
Misty
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Donna

Did you do anything with the company? We received an offer for ours from Michael Peterson.
Blnde406
June 12, 2020

In reply to by Donna

We were contacted by Adam Miller as well offering to buy Vidanta vacation weeks in Mexico. Even sent an offer letter through International Properties Ultd. Atlanta GA. This has got to be a scan,
Karen
March 11, 2020

In reply to by sceptic seller

I received an offer from international properties as well did you accept the offer?
Karen
March 18, 2020

In reply to by sceptic seller

Hello did you sell your property to international?
jje
March 24, 2020

In reply to by sceptic seller

I received an offer too. Am wondering if it's legit too.
Stressed Out
July 11, 2020

In reply to by sceptic seller

We are 3 months in the process with International Properties ULTD and can't believe we let it go this far. We have wired money to a so call government appointed account to pay for state axes, admin fees, SAT fees and to date the demand to keep sending has not stopped. Every time the money is ready to be wired to us another barrier gets in the way. Now we are being asked to pay the Capitol Gain tax to the Hacienda Government office. We have wired nearly 25,000. I could go on but trying to deal with how we are going to deal with this mess we let ourselves get into.
Mexicano
February 28, 2020
Received a call from Realty Asset Connect, from Oklahoma City. Same as everyone else, offering to rent or sale time share. I'm mexican and live in Mexico, bought in Mexico. How in the world do these guys got the info? Checked Website on whois, - just created on Sept 2019. Very suspicious. Any one else contacted by these guys? Thanks in advance.
Skeptical Owner
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Mexicano

I too, was contacted by Realty Asset Connect, from Oklahoma City, offering to broker a purchase of my time share in Mexico. Guy by the name of Chris Gutierrez. I'd like to know how they got my number, and that I own a time share in Mexico. I called my Time share company, and they stated that they do not give our information out, and had never heard of this company. I also asked if they were still selling plans such as mine, and they said yes. So, why is this guy calling me for his 'buyer', to broker a deal, when the buyer can purchase directly from the resort?? Contacted my atty, who said 99% of the time, these people are scams. Unfortunately, we signed a pre agreement, stating we were interested in selling, but not obligated. No up front costs were paid, nor will we be paying them a dime. But, they have our signatures, and our contract number. :( If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is. Haven't emailed them to tell them we aren't selling, and haven't heard a peep from them after I told them I'm checking with my attorney....
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