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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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Annb
May 01, 2015

In reply to by limonator460

Just got a call now from this exact number - laughable. They are going to email me the letter. Can't wait for their call back to use the lawyer line. Messing with these guys is so much fun!!!
KCRealty?
April 20, 2015
I received a similar call from K.C. Realty in Matteson, Il. Has anyone ever heard of them?
DenverSF
June 24, 2015

In reply to by KCRealty?

Have you found out any more information regarding KC Realty?
First Choice Brokers
April 23, 2015
Haa anyone ever heard of First Choice Brokers or National Federal Financials?
Al W
April 27, 2015
Hahaha I received the same letter from Michael Milona and his co worker Emma Morreti. I have engaged with them up to today when they asked me for a 10% binder fee to be reimbursed to me in my final payout. Ridiculous....tomorrow I I'll contact the federal authorities in Illinios. I hope these guys are shut down soon.
jon@bla
May 11, 2015
Check this out. We got a call from windy city property management. Wanted to buy our timeshare or rent the weeks. Sounded too good to be true. They sent a contract and everything. Then they were like you need to pay the 4k for maintenance fees and wire the money down to mexico. LOL. So we have not sent them money and have signed a bogus contract. We also called our timeshare and they said to watch out for these people and DO NOT give them any money. Thanks. Hope this helps you.
Grandmarty727
May 21, 2015
Has anyone heard of Owners Finanial Firm? I got a call from JB Davis 5404336486 claiming to be a disgruntled owner of the same timeshare we own at. He said he had spoken with Ethan Stanton from Owners Financial Firm who supposedly works for an asset management firm who had negotiated his contract in half and guaranteed him no more maintenance fees for a fee of no more than $800. The same night at 8:30 p.m., behold this Ethan Stanton calls to essentially tell me what timeshares I owned, weeks, payoff of my contract, etc. he told me he could cut my payoff in half and I would have no more maintenance fees. Sounds wonderful! Wanted to email me forms, I told him to mail to me instead so I could have my attorney research. Sounded too good to be true PLUS who calls ME instead of me calling them PLUS who calls potential clients at 8:30 at night??? I googled the company, nothing found, googled his name, nothing, googled phone number 6782837869 and it was a cell. Definitely sounds like a scam. Anyone else talk to him?
UVC Contract
May 28, 2015
Unlimited Vacation Club: do not try to sell your UVC membership through Title Authority Inc (escrow), Investment Group Inc (broker) located in Chicago. It is a scam. They will present you with a regular contract, you will need to pre-pay for assignment fee, Mexican taxes, large account banking fee and closing costs. You will not get actual closing even though you get it in the contract. Do not wire any pre-payments to a Mexican bank third party (they will tell you the bank is there because the timeshare is there). When the time comes for you to get your closing date/ funds you will not hear from them any more. They use the company that has a good name but is no longer in business (but still active)- thus you will not find anything suspicious on Illinois Attorney General against them or Better Business Bureau. Clean website and all.... DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM if you want fulfillment of the contract. You will not be able to get your money back from the bank either. Beware.
FTC Staff
May 29, 2015

In reply to by UVC Contract

These are useful details for a complaint. Please go to ftc.gov/complaint and report what happened. You can also report this to your State Attorney General's Office and the Attorney General in the state where the scam is based.

Crisojerez
July 07, 2015

In reply to by UVC Contract

!!!!!!!!!! These people got me! I sent $13,000 total, what do I do?!!!!!!
FTC Staff
July 07, 2015

In reply to by Crisojerez

If you have given your bank account or credit card account number to an untrusted source, contact your bank or credit card company and ask what to do to stop any more withdrawals or charges.

This FTC article has tips on how to handle calls from a company offering to resell your timeshare. You can file complaints with your state Attorney General’s office, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Fredy
December 15, 2020
Hola, me está sucediendo lo mismo con Destinations Travel C, me ofrecieron rentar mi semana de vacaciones por 31.900 dólares, pregunté que si debía pagar algo y me dijeron que no, luego se vino el registro como inversionista en México y que debía pagar 3.200 dólares, como no los pagué ahora me están amenazando con demandarme por incumplimiento.
amr
May 29, 2015
Does anyone know of a legitimate company to contact to try to resell a timeshare? Has anyone had a good experience?
FTC Staff
June 02, 2015

In reply to by amr

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

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check out a reseller. Contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located. Ask if there are complaints on file. You also can search online for complaints; enter the company name and the word "complaints" into your search engine and see what comes up.

kim
May 31, 2015
Beware people have stolen my companies identity, Investment Properties, LLC. They have a hispanic accent, and have set up a website using my company name and address. They claim to be in the timeshare business, and are scamming people with this fraudulent activity. Investment Properties LLC has absolutely NOTHING to do with time shares, and I DO NOT have ANY employees. Please do not fall victim to these con artist.
Carrie
June 03, 2015
Just got a call from Richard Rios and his buddy Jeff Morgan. They say they are from Wilson County Abstract Co Inc. in Topeka Kansas. I throughly checked this company out and it's Bogus. My story is similar to all of yours. Appears to be very ligit but be aware, it is not.
Leonardo
January 14, 2021
Que saben de la empresa Tiffany Title company? Me estan contactando aunque el contrato no habla de ningún pago solo que se descontara del pago Final.
Wendy
June 10, 2015
Wow, are so many scams out there! I wonder if there is a truly legit resale company. I was contacted by Third Coast Group out of Texas a few weeks ago, promising no upfront fees and has a buyer willing to pay us !8,000+ for our Westin Time Share. They tell us it's a big Mexican company Goupo Bimbo that is looking to buy 5 timeshares for write off and incentives for their employees. Feeling a bit suspicious, but if no money out of pocket, what can it hurt to check it out right? So we accepted offer to move forward to closing, they promised a quick closing. They sent us a form from SAT, the Mexican IRS. They tell us that the money is sitting in an account, but in order to release money that we have to pay 16% tax which comes out to $3000+ and they the company will refund us when we close. Now I'm really starting to get suspicious. They give me everything in writing and guarantee that we will get our money back. But don't know if that means anything if this company is not legit. Anyone delt with them before? They say if we don't feel comfortable, then we can sell it locally in the states but value is only 3-4 thousand. sigh.......
Maria use su d…
January 20, 2021
Si, ya veo muchos como yo hemos Sido estafados por compañías instaladas en E.U. que compran contratos vacacionales. Tengo grabaciones de estás personas, y estos siempre buscan manejando lenguaje bien estudiado para que uno caiga en sus redes. Mi caso sucedió ap del 26 de junio 2019 a Diciembre .mismo anio Cómo se podría hacer para que enconjunto apoyar y recuperar nuestro dinero . (Lamentablemente la pandemia nos ha detenido y afectado ).
FTC Staff
June 22, 2015

In reply to by Wendy

If you're thinking of selling a timeshare, take a look at this FTC article for tips on how to handle a call from a company that offers to resell your timeshare. Be skeptical of a company that wants you to pay fees before you get your money.

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check out a reseller. Contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located. Ask if there are complaints on file. You also can search online for complaints; enter the company name and the word "complaints" into your search engine and see what comes up.

JRA NJ
July 29, 2015

In reply to by Wendy

Wendy, How did end? We are dealing with them and I am in the process of canceling the sale because after the first SAT, comes another and another and it is endless. They sent me now the cancelation letter but asking for more money as a cancelation fee. I'm not suspicious now, I am sure I was catch in a scam.
arnie1602
June 23, 2015
I have been contacted by a company called Instant Traveling Expert Advice inc offering to buy my time share at El Cid in Mexico. Anyone heard of these people? They have a Denver , co. address and phone. Sounds to good to be true!!!!!No Better Business Bureau record.
Alejandro Correa
January 31, 2021
Soy colombiano. Me contactaron el pasado mes de Diciembre para la renta de una membresia que incluso estaba cancelada con un resort de gran renombre. Actualmente estoy tratando con dos compañías para la renta de 10 semana, ofreciendo una jugosa suma. Las cias son Travel Elite LLC (el Broker) y Security National Title Inc (compañia Escrow) ambas ubicadas en Colorado. Me estan pidiendo depositar un dinero por concepto de impuestos para liberar los recursos que estan en un supuesto fideicomiso. Tengo en mi poder la notificacion del IRS del pago de dicho impuesto, todo parece legal pero con los comentarios que he leido me entraron demasiadas dudas. Alguien ha tenido contacto con estas compañias. Les agradezco sus comentarios..
GP145
June 23, 2015
Scam scam scam: Investment Group Inc 1585 Ellinwood Ave. Ste. 210, Chicago Il, 60016 Phone:(312)940-6833 Fax: (312)276-8890 Email:
FTC Staff
June 23, 2015

In reply to by GP145

To get this information added to the database that law enforcement uses, file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

JORGE VERA
August 29, 2021

In reply to by Alejandro Correa

Es falso, en cualquier caso de haber firmado contrato (que tambien es falso), solo digales que esta consiguiendo el dinero, NO LES DEPOSITE NADA. Si ya deposito, investigue la cuenta bancaria en la que deposito y haga su denuncia penal por fraude al dueño de la cuenta bancaria y a quienes resulte responsables. Contacte al resort y haga el reporte que le han estado llamando
JORGE VERA
September 01, 2021

In reply to by Alejandro Correa

son fraude. Contacte usted al resort a los telefonos que usted ya conoce con anterioridad para validar la informacion, pueden incluso inventar numeros de telefono. Y si ya deposito, verifico a quien lo hizo, pues ese pago deberia hacerse directamente al resort. Recuerde tambien que usted no es ciudadano estadounidense, por lo cual no deberia pagar los impuestos, sino que se los retengan automaticamente, por la misma razon.
Ham Van
June 24, 2015
Has anyone heard of Windy City Property Management out of Chicago Ill? They a downtown address and phone number. So far they haven't ask for fees and are offering just below the price I paid for my timeshare in Mexico. No BBB record!
Bere
February 01, 2021
Buenas tardes, acabo de caer en este fraude, la compañía es long term investors llc. Me piden un depósito de 6800 por mantenimiento, me estoy negando y ahora me dicen que me van a penalizar con con el 25% de la cantidad inicial o me mandaran a su buffet jurídico, alguien me puede orientar puesto que yo si envié contrato firmado. Gracias
FTC Staff
June 24, 2015

In reply to by Ham Van

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.

real estate agent
August 24, 2015

In reply to by Ham Van

Hi, My clients have received a call from Windy City Property Management telling them they have a buyer for their time share in Mexico and the money already. The supposed broker Camilo Sosa sent them a 1 ½ page contract in Spanish (without his licence number of the broker nor the company). Long story short, they are now asking them to deposit $13,000 to a bank in Mexico BANAMEX for the transfer fee and they are telling them that they will reimburse the money once they deposit that amount. The broker have them sign a contract that if they cancel the transaction they will be charge $2,000 plus legal fees. They said in the contract that they are not affiliated with no ther company nor organization, and then they told my clients that Windy City Property management have a closing company handling the escrow and title. I search the company for their brokers license and found noting. Be careful!!!
Dave D
August 28, 2015

In reply to by real estate agent

Yes I'm from Canada and got taking for 11000.00 U.S. For my timeshare in puerto Vallarta. Windy City property management are scammers . RCMP are looking into now593
BLANCA
August 27, 2021

In reply to by Bere

habla directamente a tu compañia de tiempo compartido el costo de mantenimiento se es parte del contrato
finning123
June 25, 2015
in process of trying to be scammed by :Rose City Resale Group /Portland Ore- Mark Alvarez(sales agent)- Susan Culver(president)- address for company is office building that knows nothing about them
tnhc7777
July 07, 2015
Watch out for Westwood Benson at 233 Wacker WDr. Willis Tower, 22nd floor in Chicago. The address does not match the business. John Miller is the contact person. He is a scammer. They are using the title company that is US Federal Holdings That is at the Bank of America Plaza Suite 101 San Antonio Texas. The Bank of America Plaza says that no one of the name of that title company rents space here. Not only that but when I called John Miller (with a severe Mexican accent) they had talked about me. Evidently they were nervous because I called to ask for their attorneys name.
Sadlyscammedalready
August 05, 2015

In reply to by tnhc7777

Thanks for your info. I am dealing with these same people. Will call the state attorney generals of both states and report these bastards.
red7777
August 20, 2015

In reply to by tnhc7777

I received a call from the same company last night. After seeing the info on here I made a call the the Willis Tower superintendent and asked him if there was a company in there building by that name. His answer was no.
AlmostScammed
September 27, 2015

In reply to by tnhc7777

This company has also contacted me, seems very sketchy. Everything you've said is EXACTLY what has happened. They said the buyer stayed at my property and loved it, but the sales people there were rude so he wanted to buy it from this Westwood Benson Broker instead. Plus, they are offering me twice what the going rate is.
Upset
November 10, 2015

In reply to by tnhc7777

Thank you for doing the research to see if they are really located at within Willis Tower. We were receiving calls from "Frank White" from 708-231-4335. When I asked to speak to the attorney/counsel for his brokerage firm he was thrown back. He tried providing me a number for the building manager and I informed him we already checked and his company is not located within Willis tower. He then provided me the name "John Fitzgerald" 866-979-0130, and he wanted to get off the phone fast. I advised that I will be filing report with State Attorney General.
NYEsq.
July 09, 2015
Here's a new one to add to the list: Property Pro Realty, LLC., out of Columbus Ohio. Dimitries wants to buy our timeshare in Cabo, MX. He sends proposal--which surprisingly specifically states they "do not charge any upfront fees." However, things weren't adding up. The quote was 3-4 times what we purchased it for. 2 days later he called again, spoke w/my wife who provided additional contradicting info about unit size and availability, and we get another quote for over twice the original quote! Signature is IDENTICAL between the two letters. I check out the website and initially it looks legit. However, reading through it reveals poor grammar and punctuation plus the photos of the staff all appear to be taken from shutterstock! I check to see if the LLC was ever registered in Ohio and find it was, but only in December 2014. So when Dimitires called again today, I asked how long he's worked for Property Pro. He said since 2013. I said, "That's strange since the company was only registered 6 months ago." After trying to say he's at a different office, he hangs up. Finally, I called the agent who's name is listed on the registration document. He's a real person, works at a bank and tells me he's aware that someone was using the LLC he created and he had reported it to the state consumer protection office. I just submitted all these details to the FTC but wanted to share the news on another time-share scam artist.
Kgcolorado
July 14, 2015
AM resorts UVC; scammed by this name out of Biringham , AL James J. Bell Account Manager Title Realty Company Direct Line: (205)641-7114 (Majic Jack number) Fax: 1(205)392-2958
tired of the scams
July 17, 2015
Have had John Miller from Westwood Benson Brokers in Chicago contact me as the Branch Manager with a Proposal for the sale of my timeshare for triple what I paid for it several years ago. Sounds good, no money to pay up front until when?? Using a person by the name of Simon Silvestri as accountant in US Federal Holdings again located at the Bank of America Plaza in San Antonio. Spoke to Silvestri who came across as surprised when I advised him that i checked with the Plaza management who advised that no company by that name rents space there.
Exjefe
July 20, 2015
Received an email from a "Susan Wasak" offering to buy my timeshare. After several emails back and forth she offered a price which I believe to be more than the value. She asked for my name and wife's name, address and phone number etc. All I have for her is a phone number. I plan to research that as well as her name. She said she is hearing impaired. (Maybe to discourage a phone call) My next email her will be to ask her for more detailed information about her and her alleged agent. I don't [plan on giving her any further info on me. She claims that American Title Co. will handle the escrow. Anyone have one like this yet?
nychic
July 17, 2015
Has anyone heard of DCM resort properties or of Youngstown Ohio? They have contacted me in reference to selling my Bahia Principe time share,they have offered more than what I paid and say there are no upfront fees they also said instead of putting it in a non interest bearing account I could get a cashier check, cash it and then pay their 7 percent commission..
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