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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.

jose'
August 25, 2020
Has anyone been contacted in this way by Blue Marlin out of Chicago?
E, Grace
October 05, 2020

In reply to by jose'

Yes they claim to have a Corp. Buyer in Singapore, Do you any more info?
Kb913
August 27, 2020
Anyone heard of International consultants LLC? Saying hostile takeover because of complaints of people. Wants to own 51%of vida, so buying of up timeshares .? Willing to pay half 5 x maintenance fee required by Vida. Help
Server34
August 31, 2020
I have had a company called Realty Link Inc Out of Chicago contact me in regards to selling my timeshare. They say they have a buyer willing to pay me $138,000 for my membership. How do I know if they are legitimate ?
Caboskeptic
September 03, 2020
I have been approached by John Kingston of Your Property Solutions LLC to buy out my Walk Away contract. I was naive enough to enroll inn the Walk Away contract several years ago. He is offering a ridiculous amount of money, but, guess what, I have to pay a $3200 Notaria fee up front. Watch out for these scammers.
Cabodummy
August 19, 2021

In reply to by Caboskeptic

John Kingston is also offering me a ridiculous amount to buyout my Cabo Walk Away contract right now as we speak. Sent me a contract today. Same $3200 Notario fee and the fine print shows at least seven other possible sources of additional fees which must be paid before the wire transfer is made. They also want my bank account and routing numbers. So disappointing.
EH118
September 07, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by 118 international realty (located in New York City) about buying a time share in Mexico? It seems rather fishy to me. The phone number doesn’t bring up the company and the website printed on the contracted doesn’t come up either. I think it’s a scam. The man trying to set up the contract is named George Bergess. Looked him up also and he doesn’t exist.
Beyond PO
September 16, 2020
We recently got scammed by 118 international realty!!!! We've already given them $3,000 to pay a "lawyer" in Mexico so they can proceed with our sale. Can't believe we fell for it!!! Now they're asking for $4,000 claiming that the Mexican government is needing us to pay state tax! So frustrating!!! Please beware!!!!
Boswell
October 24, 2020

In reply to by Beyond PO

We had the same experience with George Bergess, but we had signed a contract with 118 International Realty and paid a Mexican law firm for an RFC certificate before we were asked to pay additional money to cover Mexican Capital Gains. George Bergess told us that if we backed out we would still have to pay the 5% real estate commission that we were committed to in the contract. Did you sign a contract before you backed out?
Maisie123
September 18, 2020
Anyone heard of franklin property partners?
Sooner
November 06, 2020

In reply to by Maisie123

Just got a call from Franklin Property Partners. They want to help me sell my Cabo timeshare. They have not asked for any money. The disclosure documents are from Escrow Now, LLC. Has anyone dealt with either of these companies? I don’t know if this is legit.
BS
November 13, 2020

In reply to by Sooner

Yes we have & played along until the part where they wanted funds wired to Mexican bank for naturalization. 100,000 pesos for lawyers plus 6000 for registration. Run away!
Mexican fracti…
September 22, 2020
Has anyone had a bad experience with Consolidated Brokers Harry Sun or Chad Martel Not sure if the spelling but claim to have millions to buy time share weeks and produce a quick closing contract for double what we paid and the main issue which kept coming up was to pay $6,000+ for taxes on the sale. The amount was the same in spite of the amount being greatly increased after advising of a lot more weeks. This had to be paid in advance but was to reimbursed by Buyer when I objected to paying the tax I refused any money upfront even after all their verbal guarantees which mean nothing. The amount is small enough that people don’t chase it, especially in Mexico in spite of them saying it is a reputable Mexican bank and payment is to the Mexican ITS equivalent. As someone who has done business in Mexico for a decade, no taxes are due before a sale ever ever. Don’t fall for this quick money and overpaying scam.
MHur
September 23, 2020
Has anyone heard of Stay for Long travel agency? They have approached us and offered to buy our timeshare, they have not asked for any money upfront.
LT
September 25, 2020
Several “attorneys” called me saying I was located to receive 329’072 dollars in a settlement from a lawsuit against time share resale scams. They asked me to pay a 4% international tax up front before I received the settlement. Is it a scam?
Timeshare check
September 25, 2020
Do Rakuten Travel buying timeshare?
0000
September 26, 2020
It is amazing, and saddening, how many companies/attempts there are to scam money from honest people. Please add to the list: Real Estate Acquisitions, LLC, allegedly at 280 Park Place in New York, NY. Same song and dance as the others: offering 2x the original investment to purchase the contract.
Awhitecross
September 30, 2020
I was contacted by Kenneth Jaffe law firm. They claimed to represent Hotels,Inc as the buyer. I was told no money up front. Then I was contacted by my Timeshare (UVCI), which I now know was the original company pretending to be UVCI, they were telling me I had to pay 10% of the purchase price to them to initiate the sale and that if it did not go thru, they would refund it. I mad they mistake of wiring $2600. Then I was contacted by “the Mexican Government’s SAT (IRS), telling me that I would have to pay $6000 in capital gains before I could get my proceeds. I have refused and am now getting fake letters saying I will have a warrant for my arrest in Mexico!
Sks
October 06, 2020
I have received several calls from a company called Sigma Logic.. do you have any recent information about this company. I had to call back and get the automated system in order to even find out the name.
Dman1
October 06, 2020
Has anyone worked with Rakuten travel for resale of their timeshare?
Sulky 2
October 09, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by or dealt with a group called "Homestead Realty out of NY? Tell me what you can please.
Sulky 2
October 10, 2020
Why hasn't my comment/question shown up?
Cathy
October 13, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by travelers option management out of the Dominican Republic? They claim to have a buyer for our timeshare but now are claiming that we have to pay a luxury tax before completing the sale. We are in the US, the buyer in in the D.R.
rtc
October 15, 2020
Anyone have experience with traveldreamvacation.com?
Bellaocp
November 02, 2020

In reply to by rtc

just had all from them they want 2775 up front wat happened with u?
KP
November 05, 2020

In reply to by rtc

They are contacting me right now and I am also trying to find out if they are legit
MTP
November 20, 2020

In reply to by rtc

Following. Was also contacted by Travel Dream Vacations and PAH holdings regarding buying my vacation package. Has anyone found out if they are legit? Has someone completed a transaction with them? Haven’t been able to find much info about either company apart from their websites.
Qrt
December 06, 2020

In reply to by MTP

Has anyone dealt with Simply real estate out of NYc with Arbelos Insurance of NY acting as escrow agent? No upfront fees, but then requested to wire money for taxpayer id. Shortly after asked to pay a state tax to the state of Quintana Roo.Has anyone heard of such a state tax on timeshare sales? Supposedly Quintana Roo will only accept payment by seller and it is required before closing.
J
December 07, 2020

In reply to by MTP

I was also contacted by both. They wanted me to pay a 1800 transfer fee to my vacation company, The vacation company said they did not ask this of me. They also last minute added a 20% luxury tax onto the deal. Said my funds were with CAPMAC financial services and frozen until I paid the tax. I was also contacted by SAT (mexican IRS?) About the tax and frozen money. Travel Dream Vacations said they would reimburse but that the payment had to come from me. PAH worked it down to where I only had to pay half up front....and that is where I left it. Really felt uncomfortable with the whole thing by this point. Please inform if anyone else has had a different or positive experience.
AM
December 10, 2020

In reply to by MTP

I was also contacted by them (Travel Dream Vacation and PAH Holdings). They were saying that I needed to upgrade my membership with Royal Holiday in order for them to buy it, but I had to pay to upgrade. I was very close of wiring the money but thankfully I stopped on time. I began researching about both companies and came across this and some other claims of timeshare scams. If anyone ends up doing business with them, please share.
S
January 04, 2021

In reply to by AM

Have you heard back from Travel Dream Vacation or PAH. They contacted me prior to the holidays.
DMG
January 05, 2021

In reply to by MTP

Was just contacted by travel dream vacations. Offering a large sum for a timeshare I own in Costa Rica. They say they are working with PAH Holdings out of Nevada, a brokerage firm to conduct the transaction. Has anyone completed a transaction with them? Don't want to get scammed
jay
October 20, 2020
Does anyone know about Brokers Consolidated??
Jennifer
November 13, 2020

In reply to by jay

Did you ever find out more about Brokers Consolidated? We were just offered 70k for our timeshare from them which we want to take but we don't know if they are legit.
Blueboy 2020
November 30, 2020

In reply to by jay

They have contacted me about selling my time share in Playa del Carmen, Mexico & have sent me a contract for purchase. Would like to know what they have sent to you. So far I have not set them anything back.
Cristal clear
December 03, 2020

In reply to by jay

Hi jay, yes, people from that company are bombarding me with a too good to be truth offer for my membership, but not asking for any money... what is your experience?
paukr
December 05, 2020

In reply to by jay

I got a huge offer to buy my vacation membership too. Did you find out any more about Brokers Consolidated?
catamaran22
October 28, 2020
What do you know about Adventures Portfolio on buying time shares.....
joselito
November 02, 2020
i was contacted by 118 international realty and offered to pay me 3 times the amount i paid for my timeshare however i was instructed to pay $3154.00 for an SRE permit that would allow me to do business in Mexico. I was also assured the money was sitting in a bank account in Mexico which I could confirm the money was there it all turned out to be a scam beware of 118 international Realty.
Bellaocp
November 02, 2020
anyone heard of Traderrelease.com Called me with an offer wants 2775 up front but will give it back at closing
Gob
November 11, 2020
I got a call from Mason holdings in Houston Texas. The lawyer called me from Mexico and sent me a contract which I didn’t sign offering me $31,000. Has anyone ever heard of Mason holdings. Josh Nelson and Nic Soto. Attorneys name is Jose Fuentes.
Swcarter
January 07, 2021

In reply to by Gob

Gob, Did you get a reply to this post. I’ve also been contacted by Mason Holdings. I’d like to know what you have learned and what you have done with this.
CCDS
February 18, 2021

In reply to by Gob

I have been contacted by Mason Holdings (Roy Hamilton and then Jason Watson) they sent a contract and told me that their lawyer in Mexico (Mr. Fuentes) was going to call me but I have not heard from him. The contract says I must pay "transfer fee" to the resort that will be refunded later and alludes to taxes that they don't take care of. ?Any follow up?
Neat n Charles
November 11, 2020
Has anyone dealt with international consulting services? They say a minor faction wants to buy out my share of Royal Holiday. I’m wary that it’s a scam. Anyone heard of them? They have a website. Seemed on the up and up until they asked for over $2000 to pay the notary.
Chata
November 13, 2020
Has anyone dealt with Global Vacation Trade Company?
crzbeauty
November 17, 2020
Let me add mine to the long list of scams, i got a call from Olta travel last week, red flag number one they offered 46K for 16 weeks of vacation, that's probably 3 times more than what i paid for the entire timeshare, Red flag number two they are stationed in Russia but calling me from a 205 number Birmingham, last red flag they wanted 6% upfront don't fall for it. I'm glad i found this page while i was researching.
mitwit
November 23, 2020
I’m awaiting an offer from “marketing2 @ ” . Any negative input? Their agent claims to be in Mexico City but will us a US lawyer. No money up front but a 5% fee after closing.
dcnative
November 17, 2020
Brokers consolidated has sent is a contract that we are trying to find out if they are legitimate. I'm hesitant and feel something is fishy
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