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.
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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In reply to American Travel Plaza Inc by Buzzards Bay
They will scam you this way: you will have to pay the maintenance fee (they will claim to be "collecting it for your timeshare group" for the weeks they are "renting"... after that you will hear nothing from them! Ask your timeshare property about this...no doubt they will warn you that a third party does not rent your timeshare from anyone but you !
In reply to The latest startup is by Brian O.
These are details would be really useful in a complaint to the FTC. Please report this at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to The latest startup is by Brian O.
In reply to The latest startup is by Brian O.
In reply to The latest startup is by Brian O.
In reply to I too have been contacted by by KM
I've also been contacted by International Realty Corp. Inc. concerning a time share with Sunset in Cancun, Mexico. I am glad I found this website. I don't give out my cell phone number to any companies, so I don't know how they managed to contact me via my cell phone. They recently sent me an email but I didn't get it at first since it was placed in my scam folder. I was curious to see how much they would offer us. Now, I'm just glad I didn't pursue this any further.
In reply to Thanks for all your posts. I by Peter D
Thank you for reporting this to the FTC. When you file a complaint at FTC.gov/complaint, the information goes into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to Thanks for all your posts. I by Peter D
In reply to been dealing with the same by woken
In reply to Thanks for all your posts. I by Peter D
In reply to Just got a call from one of by Htr
You can help law enforcement by reporting this new information. Go to FTC.gov/complaint and report what you've learned. The information will go into a secure database that law enforcement agencies nationwide use for investigations. Thank you.
In reply to I was contacted by by very concerned
In reply to I was contacted by by very concerned
In reply to I am in same position right by Concerned2
In reply to I am in same position right by Concerned2
In reply to Anyone have any new info re: by cr
In reply to I was contacted by by very concerned
In reply to This is a very sophisticated by AngryDupe
In reply to UPDATE: by AngryDupe
In reply to This is a very sophisticated by AngryDupe
In reply to This is a very sophisticated by AngryDupe
In reply to UPDATE: You bet I am by AngryDupe
In reply to I could have been reading my by out the money
Please report your experience to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Law enforcement needs to hear from people. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
You can also report to the state Attorney General
in your home state and the state where the business is operating.
The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to I could have been reading my by out the money
In reply to I was contacted by by very concerned
In reply to Unfortunately I gut in the by reginalya
In reply to I've been talking to IRC and by Close Call
In reply to Have you found out any more by Are IRC and We…
You could read the FTC article about buying and selling a timeshare, or check the company with your State Attorney General or the attorney general in the state where the company is located.
In reply to I've been talking to IRC and by Close Call
In reply to I've also been in discussion by JoeC
Pagination