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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.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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.

Sandra
May 02, 2019

In reply to by JHS

My husband and I have been contacted by Property Owl saying they have a buyer for our timeshare at Private Residence Club in Nayarit. Where is your timeshare?
KKK
June 09, 2020

In reply to by JHS

Checked with management company at address for American Corporation of Finance in Rochester, NY that no such business exists. The same is true for Property Owl Inc in Flushing, NY. It is a total scam.
Vegas
June 25, 2019

In reply to by MG

Omg I’ve been contacted by both organizations. Michael king. Everything seems so legit. My gut says it’s a scam. I’m not sending anyone I have never met any money. What a waste of time. I have been dealing with him for weeks. They have nothing better to do.
Definitely scam
May 25, 2020

In reply to by Vegas

Don't agree to anything even if the offer sounds good or too good to be true. You'd be sorry if you do. You are asking for trouble!
Vegas
June 25, 2019

In reply to by MG

Omg I’ve been contacted by both organizations. Michael king. Everything seems so legit. My gut says it’s a scam. I’m not sending anyone I have never met any money. What a waste of time. I have been dealing with him for weeks. They have nothing better to do.
Time share fan
September 21, 2015
I was recently contacted by Monica Alexander with Brokerage Consolidated Group Inc. in Mn. at 333 Washington Ave. North. Has anyone dealt with them? No mention of upfront money yet, though I am sure it is coming. She did go back and re-negotiate for me coming up with more $$.
Andreti
September 10, 2021
Me están contactando de DER Touristik para comprar mi membresia con UVC, alguien ha tenido la experiencia? Es confiable o es un fraude? Estoy en el paso que me enviarán el Contrato así como a UVC para empezar el proceso. Agradezco sus comentarios
cmuffin
September 22, 2015
Has anyone heard of Western Resort Sales? They claim they are not a timeshare resale company, but a property locating service. They buy vacation properties for those who are looking to purchase vacation property. There are fees: money transfer fee, city & county transfer fee, and a title search fee. Scam or not?
Ana P.
September 14, 2021
Buenas tardes estoy tratando de averiguar si la agencia Vacations Travels LLC y Liberty Title Service quien maneja los fondos, son legales, he realizado un contrato con ellos y he realizado transacciones por concepto de impuestos y llevamos mas de un año y no me han desembolsado el dinero por concepto de arriendo de renta de semanas vacacionales. Alguien tiene alguna informacion de estas dos agencias ?
r shaw
October 16, 2015

In reply to by cmuffin

Short and sweet, yes Western Resort Sales is a scam. They got me for $150. I'm gonna file a complaint with Tennessee AG, consumer fraud division. If you want to hear more of my dealings with Jerry Butler, Western Resort sales, email me
pilullito
September 14, 2021
dixon real estate holdings, fraude total abusados
Rooster
September 29, 2015
Has anybody have anything going on with Travel Associates Inc. out of Quincy, MA A fellow By the Name of Robert John Silverman Has being calling trying to get me to sell my Time Share in Mexico for 3 times what I have paid for it. I have googled the company and it seems to come up ok, Also they are stating that they have a buyer that has set up a Escrow account with the firm called True & Clear Title Inc. They are not asking for any money up front and only ask for a 5% fee after deal has being made. Has anybody dealt with either of these company's
Roberto
September 21, 2021
Estoy a la espera de pagos desde Global Getaway Dreams por venta de semanas. Cada vez que deben pagar algo pasa. ¿Alguien hizo tratos con esta empresa? ¿Que pueden comentar?
Rueckert
October 09, 2015

In reply to by Rooster

We have been contacted by Travel Associates and True & Clear. They are listed in the BBB of MA but not accredited. The MA General Attorney said there are no complaints about them, they are both licenced and registered for business in the state of MA, but we just canceled all dealings with them, because they are very similar to several of the companies listed on this website. We FIRMLY believe they are a scam! Even though everything seems to show they are a legit company. They may have hijacked a real company or something. Both companies have a website, but they are both very vague and look like they were set up by the same person. We had them send us a contract, then we had them make changes to the contract. When the contract came back saying all parties had resigned the new contract, the signatures looked exactly the same. (signatures never look exactly the same) We signed a contract with them. We then sent them notice (by fax, email, and phone to both companies) that we were canceling the contract. They started to tell us that the buyer had to approve of us canceling (preamble to trying to make us pay cancelation fees) We said no they didn't and reminded them that both our state and MA law says we can get out of any contract within 72 hours. We haven't heard a word from them since.
Joseph S
December 04, 2015

In reply to by Rooster

Watch out for Travel Associates, Inc., 859 Willard Street, Suite 400, Quincy, MA (339) 526-1043 and True & Clear Title, Inc. 925 Concord Street, Framingham, MA, (508) 232-6381. They have created a very real looking timeshare purchase scam. These companies appear to have been stolen by the scammers so if you check BBB, State of MA registration and websites they appear very real. Their ultimate goal is to get you to wire money to a fraudulent account.
Redsonfire
September 30, 2021
Buenas tardes. A mí me están contactando de DER touristik, Alissa Lomely para comprar mi membresía de Unlimited Vacation Club. Usando de intermediario a REMAX Real State Damian Castillo contactremax@vacationdivisionalliance.com. Alguien tiene experiencia con ellos? Gracias por sus comentarios
juamcd
October 01, 2015
Has anyone heard of Universal Realty Management out of Missouri. Can't find them on BBB website.They have contacted me to sell them my timeshare. They emailed me a proposal and says I would pay 8% at the end. Anybody else get a call like this and what did you do?
Kattia CR
October 01, 2021
Alguien con la compañía tifanny little company en Wisconsin. A nosotros nos llamaron de ahí para comprar las semanas vacacionales
LJV
October 01, 2015
Pro Timeshare Resales of Deland, Florida. Must be something in the water there because I have become scammed by 2 companies in that area. PTR gets your phone number from a timeshare listing. They call you if your interested in selling your timeshare. They say they can sell it before your firs CC payment is due. Thats a lie, 2 years later and over $5000 in fees and still have my timeshare. Decided it's cheaper to own it than sell it. Tried submitting a fraud report with my CC company. They worked for me for a while but got scammed on Consumer Recovery Services who got 45% recovery fee. Was OK with that to get some of my money back. My CC refunded the money to my account, I paid CRS and all was good. Then the CC company charged the money back on my CC because I had have an electronic signature contract with them. My contract with CRS after 90 days I get a full refund if they can not recover my money. Trying to fight that one now, they were smart can't use a CC with them only a bank transfer. Moral to my story if you get suckered into a time share live with it, the cost is much less than trying to get rid of it.
Kattia CR
October 01, 2021
Tiffany title company , sr. Campero y sr Brenes . Compran semanas de intercambio vacacional. Si alguien tiene algo q decir de esta empresas les agradezco me contacten
Jbc
October 09, 2015
Does anyone know about marketing alliance group limited
Un buen amigo
October 01, 2021
Aguas la compania resortincomeinvestors-inc es una farsa esta tratando de comprar tu tiempo compartido, amigos si no llevas el trato en persona ten cuiddado, como siempre tratan de darte las perlas de las virgenes y uno cae facilmente ante el oro falso.
Antonio.
October 07, 2021
No me sorprende que luego de tantos años sigan habiendo tanto fraude, gracias a lo tontas e ingenuas que son todas estas personas. Si, tan tontas y ambiciosas que nubla el poco sentido que deberían tener. No es necesito que lo asalten a mano armada si solitos se dejan engañar con cosas taaaaan obvias que solos le envían su dinero.
Alberto Martínez
October 13, 2021
Me están contactando desde Intercontinental Realty LLC de Chicago para comprarme mi tiempo compartido en Sunset Royal, conocen está empresa? Alguien más recibió llamada de ellos?
dont be a victim
October 11, 2015
i was contacted by daniel nelson from denver colorado of Timeshare Closing management no upfront fee but legal closing cost $500, this sites i saw 1 problem with him i am so glad i found this site, anyone problem with him too?
precaution 100%
October 17, 2015

In reply to by dont be a victim

what is his real estate lic. number ?
Helping parents....
February 02, 2016

In reply to by dont be a victim

We have been contact my Timeshare Closing Management also - how did your interaction end? if it did? were they legit?
prosecute all …
October 11, 2015
lets help prosecute these scammers we work sooo hard and they just want the easy money like drugs dealing. all atty generals this should be a priority
Pedro Garcia
October 26, 2021
Cuidado con una componía llamada "Long Term Investors, llc" de Washington, con domicilio en 17761 street nothwest Washington DC 20006 tel. 1 202 660 4057, y atravez de un fideicomiso de la companía "Man Solutions USA LLC" con domicilio en 452 Fifth avenue 27th floor New York NY 10018 y tel.1917 672 65 87.
nero
October 13, 2015
Was contacted by a NY phone number. The company is called 9W Capital Investments. This is too good to be true, right? I see they want to pay almost double what I purchased my timeshare for back in 2008/2009. I'm looking at the contract and they want me to sign by this Thursday (in 2 days). --- here is some info in the contract --- GENERAL TERMS OF PURCHASE OFFER Due Diligence: Purchaser requires appropriate feasibility and due diligence for their use prior to Act of Sale. It is estimated that approximately five (5) days are needed, after full execution of a Purchase Agreement, to perform that inspection of the Property and to remove contingencies and obtain necessary permits. Act of Sale: Shall occur thirty (30) days after expiration of due diligence and not later than sixty (60) days from date of Purchase Agreement. All fees incurred by Seller to render Sellers´s Title valid and merchantable including transfer fees, loan balances, and all assessments bearing against the Property at the time of closing shall be paid by the Purchaser with the exception of the following: a. costs of Seller´s attorney, if any, and b. brokerage fee of six percent (6%). Purchase Agreement: To be prepared upon mutual acceptance of the terms of this Letter of Intent and delivered to the Seller within three (3) days of acceptance of this Letter of Intent. The Purchase Agreement shall contain provisions customary for a transaction of this size and nature, including representations and warranties and closing conditions as are mutually agreeable to the parties. Expiration of Offer: This Letter of Intent shall constitute an open offer until 15 October 2015, at which time it shall be automatically terminated if not executed by Seller. Upon acceptance of this Letter of Intent, Purchaser shall deposit by direct transfer the full purchase price including any entitled reimbursement payments as a refundable deposit pending execution of Purchase Agreement. Escrow Holder shall deposit such sum in an interest-bearing, federally insured transaction account with interest accruing for the benefit of the Purchaser. The parties agree that this Letter of Intent is not binding and is not intended to create any agreement or obligation by either party to negotiate a definitive Purchase Agreement and imposes no duty on ether party to continue negotiations. The parties intend that neither shall have any contractual obligations to the other with respect to the matters referred herein unless and until a definitive Purchase Agreement has been fully executed and delivered to Seller within three (3) business days of acceptance of this Letter of Intent. ---------------- what do you guys think? scam, right? :)
Rcb
October 14, 2015
Premium marketing sold me with a promise to sell timeshare using Orlando office. Paid $1500 upfront. I'm on disability and having used it for years. Sounded like a good deal. After paying I've never heard from them again
wondering
October 19, 2015
Has anybody had any dealings with D&D Closing out of San Diego ,Dave Randall or John (Tony) Vargas,or Carlos Miranda from Banamex in Mexico City? Are they legitimate? I am afraid we are being scammed on a large scale, with repeated calls saying more money is needed for federal notary, etc...
MeToo
October 27, 2015

In reply to by wondering

Have been contacted by them for closing a sale brokered by Dreamscape Destinations. Have not decided if it is a scam or not yet.
wondering
January 22, 2016

In reply to by wondering

I am convinced they are a scam. They repeatedly asked for more money because the "wire transfer was sent to the wrong bank, or delivered to the wrong address. Do not trust them. We checked with a Mexican attorney, and he said there is not erasure of records fee, and that when he checks with Banamex, there was no Carlos Miranda. Run away and save yourself thousands of dollars. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. D & D closing isn't listed in San Diego liscensed businesses, either.And Dave Randall refused to give me information on who the parent company is, though a search of the website shows that the owner is from Puerto Vallerta, Mexico.
hv
October 20, 2015
I have received a phone call from Property management Plus offering to pay more than I have in the timeshare, after sending them some money for RFC we finally realized they are continuing to want more. Stay away!
mcb
October 22, 2015
Anyone heard of atsa group? they are calling me for my timeshare and they want me to pay the closing costs up front.
ginger
October 24, 2015
Has anyone heard of Laura Baker or Emerald City Property Services out of Seattle, WA? I think my husband and I were scammed by this group! Sounds very similar to everyone else
Dave
October 26, 2015

In reply to by ginger

ginger, we too were in contact with Laura. She has a post on yelp and a response. But interestingly their website is down and emails are bouncing back right after our sale was to go through. The phone still has a message but no one is answering.
estate represe…
October 26, 2015
Received letter from US Owners Advocates, 1920 E. Hallandale Beach blvd #805, Hallandale, FL stating timeshare property was on desired list and they were prepared to make a FMV offer. Called 410-220-5235 (identified themselves as Smart Life Solutions) and was told to show up on 10/25/2015 at a Seattle Holiday Inn with the deed. There were 4 reps. They brought about 10 of us up to a conference room. A rep gave a 45 slide show on history/horrors of timeshare & his parents personal story. They then passed out 30 year projections of the timeshare maintenance fee liability for the property each person owned with a red square showing the FMV of the timeshare as zero. For $7500, a paralegal could fly out to our house, scan documents, but they were running a $5500 special. For the $5500 fee, their attorney would transfer the deed, and cause the future maintenance fees to go away. They explained they could market stays in the timeshare to their partner companies, like Apple and Microsoft, who would pay for a week to give as employee recognition. The charts inferred that upon death, the children would inherit the liability to make maintenance payments. I went to this because my parents, now deceased, bought a timeshare in 1991. Their records around the maintenance fee were fuzzy however under Washington State law, once you publish a Probate Notice to Creditors, creditor claims are barred after 4 months. I urge everyone to do their due diligence. I have no idea whether Smart Life Solutions is genuine or not, however they did not follow through. They had a file reference on their letter and one would have thought they knew the time share value was zero - yet they wanted to make me an offer.
Help Me
October 28, 2015
Has anyone heard of Luxury Platinum Adventures? Also called LPA Enterprises. Not sure they are on the up and up.
Unhappy
February 18, 2017

In reply to by Help Me

Do not give Luxury Platinum Adventures any money or talk with them. They have tried to scam us out of thousands of dollars that they put on credit cards. We are working with the credit card company now trying to get our money back. Or at least not pay the balance of the credit card. They promised us they would take over our timeshare. We signed all the papers and they sent them to their closing company. Neither we nor the closing company have been able to contact them since.
rudyjohn2015
November 03, 2015
have you heard of Timeshare Sales Group 410 s.Santa Fe Avenue Ste.103 Vista,CA 92084.
LO
November 06, 2015
If I was victim of this fraud, what are the legal options to address this situation? Where can I get advice?
lwatts
November 12, 2015
Here's another scam timeshare buyer: Central Charlotte, 269 W Monroe, Chicago IL 60606 (note this is a fake address) Phones: (312) 219-6809 Fax: (773) 654-4939 Web site: Complete scam offering to buy timeshares Mayan Palace in Mexico.
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