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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.

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Vanever
December 02, 2020

In reply to by dcnative

I am in conversations right now. Very slick but when I refused to send any money they advised the purchase funds would be in a Mexican bank but only myself could get the necessary tax number from the Mx government and that would require $5 to 10K. Very skeptical about the whole thing. I have had similar offers. Scams
Rach03
December 07, 2020

In reply to by dcnative

I have been contacted by Brokers Consolidated as well. Were they legitimate?
totellthetruth
December 08, 2020

In reply to by dcnative

Someone contacted me from Brokers Consolidated. How they got my information is beyond me. They sent me some bogus template proposal via email. THIS LOOKS LIKE A SCAM! PLEASE STAY AWAY!
Texas
December 17, 2020

In reply to by dcnative

they called me as well, but they want money upfront for a Mexico fee, I think its a scam
Shuggie54
November 18, 2020
I’ve been approached by Olympia International Group. They want to purchase my Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta timeshare. They say, “ The purchase amount will be paid through a closing company chosen by the purchaser(s) and disbursed to the member(s) at the time of closing. An 8% commission will be paid by the member(s) at the time of closing to Olympia International Group.” Scam? Anybody deal with them?
Gjchiefsfan
November 25, 2020

In reply to by Shuggie54

Olympia is talking to me about a similar transaction. I’m listening but it seems like a scam. Too good to be true.
Blueboy 2020
November 30, 2020
What has anyone found out about Brokers Consolidated out of Las Vegas?
Helping the inlaws
December 01, 2020
Has anyone been scammed by DGI Title of Georgia and Travel World Vacations of Chicago? My in-laws are out tens of thousands of dollars and want to send more for a FTF fee. They refuse to believe they have been scammed.
Cristal clear.
December 03, 2020
is any one dealt with BROKER CONSOLIDATED company, located in NEVADA? they approached to me to buy my membership offering a very sweet amount , but not asking for any money...
Bench warmer
July 01, 2021

In reply to by Cristal clear.

I am dealing with brokers consolidated right now. Are they legit or a scam.
Sparkle
December 09, 2020
I was just contacted by Brokers Consolidated two days ago. The huge "offer" and the follow up call to see if the offer is accepted. I see other's comments, but no replies under them. All sounds like a scam.
tpbarber
December 15, 2020
We have been approached by P​R​U​D​E​N​T​I​A​L​ ​R​E​A​L​T​Y​ ​G​R​O​U​P​,​ ​L​L​C out of Boston. They are offering money and tell me that they have a buyer. I have mentioned several times, that we will not pay any fees up front since we have had experience with this scam in the past. The agent gave me their license number and they want copies of our contract with redacted info, so that they can see that we actually have the timeshare. Both of us are really uncomfortable with this offer. Anybody else have experience with this company?
Md
March 02, 2021

In reply to by tpbarber

Just wondering if there was any resolution I have a similar experience going with Continuum Travel
CAT
December 22, 2020
Has anyone heard of Brokers Financial Acquisition? I have been getting calls from them but they don't leave a message. In my lapse of memory, I answered the phone today. The guy was all over the place rattling off words. He said that Desarroyo Marina Vallarta is about to go public with the Stock Exchange. I told him I don't recognize that name then he mentioned VIDANTA our timeshare in Puerto Vallarta. He said that I should call the financial department at Desarroyo so I could be informed of how many shares I am entitled to. He mentioned a book entry number...with that number he could help me sell the shares at substantial amount. He gave me phone numbers to call as well as his (Richie Valenzuela). I smell a rat. Stay tuned for more information
Dl
December 24, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by Daniel Batak fromrealty link Ltd in chicago to purchase time share?
SR
January 02, 2021

In reply to by Dl

Is it Realty Link Acquisition in Chicago. If so their Internet domain was created March 18, 2020. If you click on any properties or on anything it does not take you anywhere.
Pacane
January 05, 2021
Hi i have receive a call for my vidanta timeshare from Brokers consolidated and i want to know if anyone have already did a transaction with them.
Marilyn
May 03, 2021

In reply to by Rae

I have also been called by Mr. Charles A. Mack four time in April, 2021 and Mr Isreal Garcia. The second offer now is if I don't to sale then to enter into contract for the rental of 10 weeks of my membership for $71,000. I am very skeptical.
j---
April 12, 2021

In reply to by Pacane

They have also contacted me and I cannot find out anything about them. They are allegedly interested in buying a Moon Palace property in Mexico. I am going to be at Moon Palace in about a month and will ask about them. If they are legit, why not deal directly with Moon P?
Diane
June 11, 2021

In reply to by j---

I agree. Brokers Consolidated is pressuring me to send them a fee to register in Mexico. I told them I was not sending any money until they send my money. They are even pressuring me to get a loan to cover the Registration fee! I am a senior on a pension and wouldn't be able to pay it back. I am pretty sure it is a s
Njq
February 03, 2021
Has anyone heard of Elitetravel. Got an offer for timeshare. Wondering if this is a scam
Derek
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Njq

What is their website address. They may have contacted me too.
CCDS
February 18, 2021
I have been contacted by Skyscanner to buy my timeshare in Mexico. The contract they sent requires me to pay a fee to the resort that will be reimbursed later. The lawyer website in Denver has pictures of employees but no CV or background available. ?anyone else hear from them?
toton
March 02, 2021

In reply to by CCDS

Hello, by any chance you are able to share the details. Did you proceed further? And is the law firm legit because I have been contacted by same firm which fits your description? I have been approached by Great Value Vacations and this law firm(retained by Great Value Vacations) sent me contract with Skyscanner which was a mistake. They forgot to remove Skyscanner .
Rufus
February 24, 2021
Was contacted by 11 Broadway Real estate New York to rent weeks Has anyone had an experience with them?
jimg9453
March 04, 2021
I get on average 2-3 calls a day with offers to provide an evaluation of my Vidanta membership. If I decide to answer the call, I ask them to not waste my or their time until they provide identity proof. I request three copies of photo id's such as Drivers license, passport and brokers license. They all say "no problem" and I don't hear from them again or they ignore my request and still send me an evaluation way over what I paid. At that point I tell them that I can't in good conscience accept an offer that high and that their client can negotiate a much better deal directly with Vidanta.
RENO NY
March 07, 2021
SCAM LOL trevel inc using Jason Bruce Allen A San Franciso Calf lawyer, The y offer to buy your time share for more than its worth stated you dont pay anything oyer than a 5% ccommision .The catch is that they send you fake transfer agreement askinf 10% of sale price. The Lawyer will tell you he wont move on buy till payment is made. Iconfirmed scam by contacting my time share. No one had contacted them and they sent ne transfer requirments wich odes call for 10% prepaymen BUT based on membership fee not sell price. Also lawyer would not contact the other 2 time shares till I made payment for transfer.
AC
March 17, 2021
I have been contacted by a woman named Amanda Beard in December, who gave me a whole speel about the investor putting money in an account and they wanted to move forward. They signed a contract and she went over the contract with me line by line. It seems legit and then she asked me for like $5300 for a license that Mexico has to issue me that is only good for 45 days. That don't make sense to me. The deal seems legit though. I didn't go through with it but I was contacted by someone named William Clark from the same company saying the same thing. Anyone heard of Property Professionals USA Inc. stationed out of Aurora, Colorado?
MinniMouse
March 19, 2021
World wide properties contacted me. All seemed legit, until he sent me a form asking for my bank account number. I told him I was not willing to give the bank info as I am the seller and they can send me a check by currier. He assured me that he us here to help me and guide me through the process. I told him I would let him know. He has not called me back.
Dave Morrison
March 23, 2021
The latest company name calling Royal Sunset Resort customers is Real Solutions Investment Corporation.... out of Greenwood Village, CO. Very official documents and good websites. I went to the second stage with these guys and then they asked me to pay a Foreign Investment Registration fee of $4,320 that would be re-imbursed at escrow.... that was the tell all that it was a scam.
Jaxson1$
March 24, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by Maine Luxury Travel about timeshare purchases? In specific El Cid resorts
clbr
March 31, 2021

In reply to by Jaxson1$

I have just been contacted by them. Cannot find anything on line other than their website.
BRU
April 20, 2021

In reply to by Jaxson1$

I have just been contacted by them also. I don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling from them and their over enthusiastic offer. I was told there was no up front fee.
KEITH
April 07, 2021
Has anyone heard of Olympia REality llc out of Chicago?
Kmelton245
July 08, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by a company called travel pony they keep calling offering 29,000 for our timeshare told my husband it is not a scam name Allen Cortes and address is from mexico
jmueller
July 15, 2021
Does anyone know if KAYAK purchases timeshares? Have a relative who was contacted supposedly by KAYAK to purchase her timeshare in Puerta Vallarta. She has sent over $16,000 already and now they say she needs to send $19,000 more for taxes per the Mexican government. I think she is being scammed.
Kim
August 26, 2021

In reply to by jmueller

We have been contacted by them also! We have been scammed before and my husband told them ( loudly ) that we were not interested in being scammed again and to not contact us again.... well just called again and sent offer. Wish was a better way to see if legit or not, so not taking any chances!!!!
Lilly
September 21, 2021

In reply to by jmueller

We have been contacted as well. I contacted Kayak directly - they told me they do not buy timeshares. Definitely a scam
Tlw
July 20, 2021
Has anyone heard of Business Brokers International out of NY? Was contacted by them to buy 10 weeks.. sounds legit, website looks ok, but can’t find any other info and when I asked them for a written contract they say.. “that’s comes after we accept their offer” Sounds like a scam
John W.
August 20, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

I have been contacted by a Joel Cardillo from Business Brokers International out of NY. He has made me a amount of money for my time-share that is too good to be true. I have not signed or agreed to anything yet. Is this company legit? Anyone, please reply before I get scammed.
CL
September 08, 2021

In reply to by John W.

We also we contacted by Business Brokers International in New York. Haven’t signed anything and haven’t found anything online either. Except that another company comes up as Business Brokers International,LLC. Anyone have anything to confirm if legit or scam?
Lauraleeky
September 03, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

Contacted by them to want to buy our palace premier vacations. What is to open a back account in Mexico. They make everything look legit. Too good to be real.
juliemccoy
September 17, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

same here...told them I am a lawyer (which I am) and I want to see more information on their contract terms and then I would provide info if I was interested. Crickets....
Charles
July 30, 2021
I got a call from Naperville, il. Claiming they got my notice that I wished to sell my timeshare, asked me to please hold, I did not hold nor have we reached out to anyone. The number was our local area code but naperville il, on id. Clearly a scam!
melly3789
August 10, 2021
Has anyone worked with BKR Holdings out of Hamilton, New Jersey or Sunshine Business Management out of Colorado? They have a buyer for my timeshare?
mikey1018
August 21, 2021
I never mentioned a timeshare. This is our property in Fl that we vacation in a few times a year. Our primary residence is in NY I want to report this harassment. I have 20 different phone numbers and different people calling themselves private investors. IT'S NOT FOR SALE!!!!!
Lauraleeky
August 25, 2021
Has anyone heard of business brokers international out of new York.
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