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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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Josue Gonzalez
April 29, 2020
Me llamaron de Global Gateway Dreams en Orlando. Alguien sabe de ellos ?
Asunto botcoins
May 09, 2020
Sé no me equivoco en pedir ayuda de que no más imposible y que claramente expresso que tengo y que no me explican en el mínimo ah ser más directa de que ya. No aguanto la manipulación
wendellgrif
August 16, 2018
June 2013 my daughter and I went to the presentation. Tim and Tom were the young boys that gave us the Playa de coco lounge pass and coupons and gave us a discount for the Coco Adventures. Spouses were suppose to attend together. Mine wasnt there. To good to be true. They served us mimosas and talked a great game. Todd Richards was our second guy (think real name is Todd Dehn) (picture attached Todd Dehn and Fernando May) the pressure guy. Dan Shade? was the guy that had breakfast with us. My daughter was with me not my husband. We loved the place but I wish I wouldn't of gave them money. We got 1 registered week and 5 corporate weeks I had paid 8,150.00 (1,000 admin and 1,000 to Amerashare Annuities with Hong Kong address) and pd 699.00 to Mercury Property Management. That same day I wanted to cancel and they said I couldn't. I went back the next two days crying and begging. I was scared. In another country Mike Flores Mercury Property Management to rent them at 2600.00 week for 5 years. This is the only reason we signed up. They would use the weeks for marketing. We werent going to use for 5 years and get all our money back then some. I came home I cancelled all my cards after reading everything on the internet. I emailed them back begging to let me get out of this. We have not seen any rental income. I have read Redweek and Pissed consumer and Travel Advisors and they are still doing this scam in November of this year. Now I hear that Bahia Turquesa is claiming they never set up with the rental company. I talked with them (Mercury Management) who knows maybe they were upstairs in the office) on the phone standing on the balcony on the hill at Bahia Turquesa. They are all liars. I called him but he didnt call me back. I need help!!!!!!!!! Now Logistical Services Group called and said they are working with Las Palmas to take care of the clients that didn't get what they were promised through Mercury Management. This is the recovery scam. Jonathan Rinaldi sent me a rental contract to give me 26,456.00 for my 6 weeks. Said I needed to pay the maintenance for the weeks. I had to give it a try so wired 2,370.00 to some bank. I got an emailed receipt from Las Palmas Travel Network showing the received the funds(fake of course). Now Jonathan has me talk with Alex Perez the accountant and now they want 16% taxes paid before I get the money. This is the point where I wont fall for their s again. Asked Alex if I can talk with Jonathan again and he said it wasn't possible anymore for the file is now in his hands. They say the taxes are $4,050 and they will pay 49% of that so I just need to send 2,000 or something and they will send the money in 5 days. Right?? So I am out $10,905.00. I still owe on the vacation club membership(was suppose to be a fractional ownership in very expensive places and low costs and cooks etc etc) of course that was Todd Richards talking to me and when you see the actual contract is says nothing of the sort. It's a vacation club membership. The flim flam artists. I remember him saying when I went up to that Chantel Matthews office "Don't mention the re-sale of weeks, you want to get that money" I cant believe how stupid I was. We loved the place and we were there on my moms Interval International exchange. She bought the week for us. I thought they were legit, so why would this be so screwed up. How can Bahia Turquesa have these sales/developers on their property and not know what is going on. I am going to contact Las Palmas and send them the receipt supposedly they received the fees. I is amazing how many companies name are involved in this elaborate scam. We need to get to Enselmo Baldini. I will email my contract number and other info next.
Anna
August 11, 2018

In reply to by wendellgrif

The story of Wendellgrif is a copy of our story :-(...Did you hear anything after 2015 about this case?????
Zaira
May 12, 2020
Nosotros igual nos han llamado de una agencia de viajes llamada AGODA, ellos dicen que quieren comprar nuestras semanas y nos ofrecen un cantidad bastante llamativa. En su contrato dice que les debemos pagar su comisión del 5% despues de que el dinero sea depositado. No dice q tenemos que pagar nada a ellos o a otra persona solamente hasta que el cheque sea depositado. Tambien dicen q podemos cancelar en cualquier momento antes de que recibamos el dinero. La verdad es muy confuso, alguien a sido contactados por AGODA y han hecho un contrato con ellos?
suspicious
January 12, 2015
I too have been contacted by International Group Trading, Inc., out of Chicago, Illinois offering almost 3 times what I paid for my UVC Dreams contract. The catch, I think, involves the 6% commission "held by the title company" until the funds of the sale have been verified by the seller. I've got a pretty strong feeling that one would never see that 6% again or the illusory proceeds from the sale. My contact was one Venessa Rodriquez. Thanks to all who posted on this blog.
vales75m
June 03, 2020
oh Dios mio yo creo que me han hecho la estafa mas grande que ha podido haber , por favor dígame alguien si han hecho algo acerca de estes desgraciados , me hicieron pagar , impuesto sobre renta, exessive imcome tax, aduana fue & Bank interés feo, feo and clear Certificate, Insurance fee, federal transfer, by falta sistema de pagos agregados, impuesto sobre agregado, el nombre Del Real estate es Lexmar relata, y el nombre del es complete escora Title, alguien traBAJO CON ESTAS PERSONAS, por favor déjenme saber
poor willy
January 13, 2015
We must all be in the same boat. Got a UVC package and now trying to unload that and get a call from Estate Exchange Group. So not wanting to be duped twice, I checked and this is what I find. Thanks for all of your comments. 'Too good to be true" is still the rule.
tomandcody
January 22, 2015

In reply to by poor willy

Estate Exchange Group in Illinois has been hijacked by scammers...the website is a sham...steer clear!!!
vales75m
June 19, 2020

In reply to by vales75m

Lexmark realty Anthony Brahm, el escrow company es complete y el que me contactaba de ahi es Jay Greenescrow y creo que su complice en Mexico es Jesus Perez mandaba el dinero al Banco Santander,
Julio
June 25, 2020
Me acaba de pasar con Broker conect Llc y con Excel tittle ya les deposite lamentablemente por favor si saben con denunciar dese Mexico pongan el comentario
Sceptical
January 14, 2015
Has any one had any dealings with Recovery Investments LLC out of Raleigh, North Carolina?
ME G
February 11, 2021

In reply to by Julio

Les he depositado 60 mil dólares por la venta de mi tiempo compartido y cada vez que están por depositarme el dinero de la venta me llaman para que haga un nuevo depósito y no se cierra la operación, les he depositado 5 veces y parece una pesadilla que no concluye, ahora quieren 30 mil dólares más. Broker Connect LLC y Excel Tittle Services LLC. AYUDA ¿En dónde puedo denunciar? cómo saber si es un scam
Maru
August 29, 2021

In reply to by ME G

De donde eres estoy en la misma situación me piden más dinero disque por lavado de dinero por favor contéstame
pax
June 26, 2020
alguien que sepa algo de la empresa Broker Connect LLC??? están tratando que les deposite muy insistentes.
Questions
January 14, 2015
Received a call from Revel Event Management, wanted to buy our vacation club. They provided us a contract, which all look legit. My question is, we were told that there is a tax that has to be paid to the Mexican Secretaria de Hacienda Y Credito Publico, which look to be similar to the Mexican version of the IRS. Any info, it sounds like a scam. No money was requested up front. We were told there would be a commision for the sale, but we had to pay the taxes directly to Secretaria de Hacienda Y Credito Publico, to release it us from the deed. Does anyone have any information about this company, or this type of sale.
NotFallingForIt
January 19, 2015
The same scam is now operating under the name Investment Affiliates Inc from Stoughton, MA. First, a phone call from Joe Garcia. Then the letter of intent and a .pdf contract from Stacy Webb (admin asst.) on behalf of Peter Costa the broker. Double the price that we paid and only 6% commission upon closing. Don't do it!!! I'll be filing my report asap to the FTC since this appears to be a new company name, also in a vacant building for sale when I confirmed the address.
Josevip
July 06, 2020
A mí me llaman de una empresa llamada Elite Title Service de Minneapolis sr. David Branzon y lo mismo que para pagarme necesito pagar los impuestos de México y de estados unidos y me piden que les deposite a una cuenta de Santander 5 mil dólares.
Grateful
February 25, 2015

In reply to by NotFallingForIt

Hello, because of your warning I have told Joe Garcia to take a hike. I own several time shares and heard about scammers like this but never really experienced one. you are right. he says he's an expert and that he has a buyer to purchase my time share for near what I paid. I know that time shares are like a sink hole. there's no recouping the money you paid. Thanks for the warning!
tomandcody
January 22, 2015
I am a private investigator in Chicago who is working this right now! The companies offering these "SCAMS" have hijacked the names of real companies, they start up sham websites under those companies names, use very similar addresses of those companies registered agents. They are using an off-shore bank and eventually have the funds transferred to a bank in Mexico. This is all a big scam!
samanthac1
January 26, 2015
Has anyone heard of Third Coast Group? I have received calls and unbelievable offer for our UVC membership. Received market analysis worksheet and intent agreement, neither of which I have sent back. What makes me leery is that every time I call, I only seem to speak with one person, David Williams. If it is too good to be true, probably is, right? Just wondering if anyone else has heard/dealt with this co/person and whether or not to report...
Lourdes de Rodriguez
July 09, 2020
Quisiera preguntar si alguien ha tenido o escuchado sobre la compañia International Business Management así como la compañia Property Asset Services LLC, me sería de utilidad si alguien tuviera algún comentario al respecto, se han comunicado conmigo para renta y compra de mi tiempo compartido. Gracias de antemano
deirj917
February 26, 2015

In reply to by samanthac1

Hi, I received a call from them last week, and then an email today. They made a decent offer, but I am unsure if it is a scam too. Have you had any other dealings with them since your post?
FTC Staff
February 27, 2015

In reply to by deirj917

If you're thinking of selling a timeshare, take a look at this FTC article and find tips on how to handle a call from a company offering to resell your timeshare.

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you’ve had a chance to check out the reseller. Contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located. Ask if any complaints are on file. You also can search online for complaints.

Conzo
March 14, 2015

In reply to by deirj917

Hey there! I also received a good offer from this company. I am skeptical tho, hav yous made any contact with them since or heard any bad reviews about third coast??? Thank you
krysalex
March 23, 2015

In reply to by samanthac1

I have received an offer from Third Coast Group out of Houston as well. I have done some research and it is a solid offer, but not out of the range of value. So far they have not asked me for any money, but have only received the offer and have not agreed to go any further. I have not been able to find any negative feedback on Third Coast online...does anyone have anything they can share?
Cpcampbell84
March 24, 2015

In reply to by krysalex

I hav also had an offer from this company. Can't find any negative feedback yet, but il thinking they could just be starting up there scam. I am awaiting reply from Houston attorney generals office, will leav feedback wen I hear from them.
Cpcampbell
March 30, 2015

In reply to by Cpcampbell84

I just received a letter from the attorney general office of Texas, they said they have received 3 complaints in this past two yrs about third coast group, im thinking that's pretty good number for a two yr period!!? thinking of going ahead with the sale,,, anyone else anymore feedback??
JRA NJ
July 29, 2015

In reply to by krysalex

It seems that they are now using the new name Third Coast Group for the same old scam. Just a naive person like me to send money to them. Now I asked to cancel and they are so greedy that they are asking for a cancelation fee. Don't trust them and don't send any money.
Relieved!
April 02, 2015

In reply to by samanthac1

Third Group want you to pay a Mexican tax up front ,approx. $3000-$4000. They say they will reimburse you this amount. Why can't they pay the tax themselves? Trust or don't trust. We didn't go through with it.
Michael McNulty
May 05, 2015

In reply to by Relieved!

I also received a call from David Williams from 3rd Coast Group. He told me that they would find the best offer they could for my timeshare. If I agreed to the sale, they would close on the property, wire the money into my account and I would only have to pay their commission of 5%. He took very little details about the timeshare and then sent a contract with a high price and almost no details contained on the contract. I followed up with them and received a call a few days later that I needed to speak with a closing agent. I called the agent and she read her sales pitch to me. She basically said I had to pay close to $4,000 before money would be released to me. I asked her where the funds were located and she said they were being held by the Mexican government. The buyer was supposedly a large bank in Mexico (Banco Grupo) but the funds were held by the government? That made no sense to me. I thought it was a scam in the beginning but now I know it is a scam. Stay away from this company.
Schanib
June 22, 2015

In reply to by samanthac1

i also have received what i think is an offer too good to be true. I asked them (via email) if there was any monetary requirements up front after i signed the agreement (which looks pretty simple/ and hardly any info on the agreement)before i sign. They said no so.. if i sign the agreement/contract and they THEN ask for monies do i have to legally send it? what i find interesting is that the BUYER is "Grupo Bimbo, S.A.C.V.". Mexico, FD" = Mexico City. i "googled" "Grupo Bimbo" and the only such company that comes up is a BAKERY in Mexico City . What does a Bakery want with a timeshare unless maybe money laundering??!!! no dates of my purchase, no contract # not even my address on the agreement??? funny that this seems to be happening to a lot of people in the same time frame suspicious?? you tell me!
Michael McNulty
May 20, 2015

In reply to by Schanib

That is the exact same thing that happened to me. I filed a report with the FTC. The "closing agent" Kelly Taylor told me that the Mexican Government was in possession of the funds and they would be immediately released to my bank once I wired close to $4,000. I reminded her that I was told by David Williams that the funds would be wired to my bank first, I would pay their commission and then transfer the property. I said, "You are telling me that the funds are not held at a bank and are being held by the Mexican government. That makes absolutely no sense." There was never any mention of taxes in any of our previous conversations. I knew when they sent me the contract and it had almost no details regarding my property that it was a scam. But, I followed up just to make sure. I have absolutely no doubts in my mind that it is a scam. Do not listen to David Williams, Kelly Taylor or anyone else from 3rd Coast Group. It is a scam and a waste of your time even if you don't wire money, which you should obviously not do.
FnScammers
January 28, 2015
Vacation Resorts Experts is s scam (Kevin Ortiz 708-231-1018) thanks for your posts, saved my wife and I from learning the hard way.
Alex Barrasa
July 13, 2020
Me están contactando de Broker Connect LLC de New York, y de Excel Title services , LLC de Denver Colorado, conocen o saben si son de confiar , agradecere sus comentarios
not falling
January 28, 2015
Mt wife was called today and as I looked into the Estate Exchange Group I found this feed. Thanks for all your posts! Saving one consumer at a time. Sad that this kind of scamming happens.
Victor Meza
July 30, 2020
Tienen información o conocen a las empresas brokeredbenefits inc. o Veda Financial? se ofrecen rentar mi depto de tiempo compartido
weescottie28
January 28, 2015
How do you know it's a scam has anyone tried it
vales75m
August 01, 2020
ami me estafaron con 70,000, la compania se llama lexmar realty llc in indianapolis, indiana los nombrs son Ethan Graham y tambien se llama Ethan Fernihaber es la misma persona y el otro complice es James T, Barret pero y la direccion es 135 n pensylvania st, indianapolis, in creo que la direccion es falsa si alguien podria ayudarme a confirmar esa direccion, te mandan a depositar dinero en el bancio santander de Mexico, sus telefo nos es 317-218-7118, trabajan en combinacion con contact comple escrow title y ahi el complice es Jay green, tengan cuiddo no den dinero son estafadores si alguien sabe de un abogado que quiera trabajar con estafas por favor ayudenme, gracias
Rodney
January 29, 2015
I am going through a similar experience with a company called Waterfront Property Group. They seem to be out of Seattle and call from a 206 area code. All of the same tactics as explained.
vibas
August 05, 2020
Hola Buenos dias, a mi me estan contactando de una empresa llamada New York twin cities power me ofrecieron comprame mi club vacacional, firme pero a hora me estan pidiendo 5 mil dolares para liberar el pago y como no cuento con esa cantidad ahora me dicen que me van a demandar por incumplimiento, saben si esto procede ? quien me puede ayuda , saben que sucede.
lovo
August 05, 2020
tengo una pregunta alguien a oido de una compania dimond houlding en arizona ellos me quieren comprar mis semanas pero no me astan pidiendo ningun dinero pero si me eatan ofreciendo mucho mas de lo que yo pague
Mollyebee1
May 05, 2015
Got a call from a Preston Ford regarding buying my Bluegreen Points of 20000 for $36000.00, checked on the address where the Liberty Fincinal title group was houses and it is just a office with a redirect phone. Call an attorney that does law suits on this type of "scam" to see if it is legit and he said "RUN"...I had paid a company over 3 years ago to sell the points, and this guy called 3 plus years later with a great story....he calls from 407-694-3224 which is Florida, but title company is in California.....I am still RUNNING...YEAH
ZAGH
August 13, 2020
Me están contactando de NEW York Broker Inc, para la renta de 10 semanas de mi tiempo compartido de Fiesta Americana, saben si esta empresa es real o también es fraudulenta????
Ariel
September 29, 2020

In reply to by ZAGH

Hola cómo estás ? A mi también me llamaron del mismo. Me ofrecieron el arrendamiento de los 10 semanas vacacionales de mi membresía de Club Newport
Natalia Maria …
August 14, 2020
Mi mamá esta siendo estafada por una empresa de esta , que podemos hacer tenemos todos los contratos , y es más ellos la hicieron depositar un dinero en el banco santander de mexico Gracias
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