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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 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.

FTC Staff
November 12, 2015

In reply to by lwatts

Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give goes into a database that's used by law enforcement nationwide for investigations.

Blog comments don't go into the database.

norline
November 12, 2015
any one heard from Internation Marketing Associates LLC. and the name of the Broker is Alexis Rodriguez
Don'tBScammed
November 17, 2015
Don't do any business with Universal Value Advisors (We were called from Oklahoma. Some clown named Joe Johnson made the initial contact.) OR the Dixon Group (from Colorado. A stooge named Daniel handled the scam from there. We were promised a large return THEN a "yellow flag"before funds were to be wired to our account, claiming Mexico wanted it's 25% share in taxes....IN ADVANCE!!They even provided a link to a phony Mexican Govt. website which "proves the taxation at 25% on the sale of timeshares in Mexico". These guys promise and don't deliver. 100% scam!
sdost77
November 17, 2015
Has anyone heard of Westport Equity Group? My father got a letter from them wanting to buy his timeshare.
ladyhana
November 17, 2015

In reply to by sdost77

I'm I retested to know as well, my son just got a letter from them too.
sdost77
November 24, 2015

In reply to by ladyhana

Let me know if you find out anything about them please.
ryan
December 23, 2015

In reply to by sdost77

My father was contacted by Westport recently and then Windsor Escrow services. Did your father go through with the sale or was it a scam? Thank you for any info you can provide.
Alert Man
January 14, 2016

In reply to by sdost77

Yes, they seem to follow the same patterns as others. Contacted by them in October and played along to this point. Big promises, sketchy documentation. Received the "closing" info from Zach in Detroit [supposedly], including VAT for Mexico mor than $11k US. Then the other items that could allow them to tap into your accounts. "If it sounds to good to be true... "
dtieman
November 19, 2015

Has anyone heard of a company out of Chicago IL, called vacation connections LLC.

Nicole Jones Administrative Assistant Vacation Connections LLC. 55 E. Monroe, Suite 3800 Chicago, IL 60641 Office: (312)248-7959 Fax: (312)661-5170 has emailed me what seems in my opinion something to good to be true.

They want to buy my timeshare at what seems to a great price, but they want 6% closing cost etc. My gut tells me SCAM!!! who out there has had the same experience and went through the process with this company. Just don't want to be dragged down the rabbit hole by scammer's.

Joseph S
December 02, 2015
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.
jim and barb
December 02, 2015

In reply to by Joseph S

hello I am being contacted by them right now...my timeshare company has a strange policy for 10 weeks maintenance fees upfront and they want me to pay it to them.
Sally
December 02, 2015

In reply to by Joseph S

Hi Joseph, how did you eventually confirm that they are not legitimate? Did they take money from you or somebody you know? Just curious because I have been contacted by them.
jim and barb
December 02, 2015
Has anyone ever dealt with True Clear Title or Travel Associates?
Fritz
December 08, 2015

I think I may have been scammed in a big way. I was contacted by a John Miller of Westwood Benson Brokers who indicated he had a buyer for my timeshare in Mexico. I signed a contract and was put into contact with a Simon Silvestri of U.S. Federal Holdings in San Antonio who functioned as the escrow company. I have wired approx. $17K to Scotia Bank in Guadalajara. Now no response from either Westwood. I could use any advice on what to do next other than kick myself repeatedly for being so dense. Brokers or U.S. Federal Holdings.

HE
December 10, 2015
HW Have anyone heard of Business Travel Consulting Services? Michael Cooper or Bryant Cooper. Is this business creditabe or fake? Need your comments
HW
December 10, 2015
Need your help on Business Travel Consulting Services creditable or fake. Denver, CO.
Be Alert
December 11, 2015
Does anyone know Ace Travel Agency Inc at 702 W. Idaho Street Suite 1100 Boise, Idaho 83702 Office: (208) 591 6042 I got a call and email from them offering to sale my timeshare in Mexico.
Scam me?
January 13, 2016

In reply to by Be Alert

We received a call and a proposal from Ace Travel Agency in January of 2016. Need to determine if the company is a scam. Called the number listed and received a voicemail???? Any info
Sporty
February 08, 2016
Add Icon Brokerage Group ( to your list. Contacted us indicating a buyer wanted to buy the timeshare for what seemed a great price for us. They had all the info about the type of unit and location and such. I'm guessing the timeshare companies sell this as 'Marketing Data' (or a company was compromised)
ryan
December 23, 2015
Has anybody dealt with Westport Private Equity Group and Windsor Escrow Services. Names are John T Cardoza and Zachary Hirschey. They have offered to buy my time share for more than what I paid for it.
TMiller
December 30, 2015
Received an offer from David Smith who says he with Diamond Resort International on my timeshare. Said he had a couple from Canada wanting to buy my timeshare. The total he gave me was twice what I paid. He sounded very legit. Emailed me the paperwork with their letterhead and everything. Said I would need to pay $2200 up front for Title Transfer and Documentation but I would receive $16000 within 7 days of that payment. I called Diamond Resorts directly after receiving the offer. Was told not to do it by them, they would never ask for up front money.
outofmoney
January 11, 2016
I received a call from Diamond International, Yvonne Fernandez offering to sell my timeshare and after reviewing the contract she had Western Title and Escrow Corp contact me to complete the transaction I received a call from Joseph Miller first he told me I had to pay for the property taxes first before they can sell the time share, after I reviewed the documents which looked legit he then didn't call me for a couple of days then when I tried to call the title company told me he had been fired because he had asked for the wrong amount that it was 19% of the total sell price which I needed to pay before the mexico government can released the property. I then call and started talking to Angel Lopez from Western Title Corp, which scam me out of more money because I couldn't back out of the contract because I would loose more money. I lost more than $8000.00 and their is nothing I can do. I called all the numbers in Mexico that I have in the contract and their all wrong. The title company they are using has a web page with the correct name but I think this is all a scam they are using company's that exist already so people get confuse. BE AWARE DON'T TRUST ANYBODY . IT'S SO TRUE, IF IT'S TOO GOOD TO BELEIVE THAN IT'S PROBABLY NOT TURE. To bad I had to find out the hard way. But I believe in KARMA and sooner or later they will pay.
jimori
November 06, 2017

In reply to by FTC Staff

Does one have to actually lose money to file a complaint or can we do an inquiry? We have an offer to sell to a Gold Coast Real Estate in New York. Could not locate the sales broker but they did show a name of a Brian smith that does list Gold Coast Real Estate.
FTC Staff
January 02, 2018

In reply to by jimori

You can report a scam, possible scam or problem any time - even if you didn't lose money. The information you give goes into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations. Report at FTC.gov/complaint.

Don't Do It
January 13, 2016

The latest one is:

CORPORATE BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL 1612 STOUT ST. DENVER,CO 80202 tel. (720) 726-9767

Similar to above. Offering more than 2x paid. They want money up front. I paid some and then they came back and asked for more. They use Mexico to further confuse it. They also provided a "reference". I should have known better. BEWARE. Don't let it happen to you.

FTC Staff
January 13, 2016

In reply to by Don't Do It

If you spot a scam, please report to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

Blog comments don't go into the database.

savrina
January 13, 2016
I received a letter from US Owners Advocates of Smart Life Solutions, Inc. My timeshare was on their desired list and to please contact them before Jan 25th, 2016. Has anyone heard of this company and are they a scam?
savrina
January 13, 2016
Has anyone had any success selling their timeshare and if so what was the name of the company, please. Thank you!
maddy
January 13, 2016
Have anyone heard of this company and know if this is FRAUD!!!! Premium Marketing International??????
EG
January 22, 2016
Watch out for Luxury Events and conventions who wanted to buy time at our resort. Would pay me more than it would cost anyone to stay there. They have Denver co. address and a convincing website.Even sent me a contract. Our resort doesn't do business with this group. So many redflags....to good to be true. Raymond Manor was the general manager for this ripoff group.
Jason
January 23, 2016
I just got fooled and gave them my address. Is there a way I can STOP them using my address now? Please help!!!
jg
January 28, 2016
I was just contacted by a man at westport private equity group to see if I wanted to sell my timeshare. the phone number he called from was 816-293-3289 from the town of Archie, Montana.
pattyrue503
February 02, 2016
I was contracted by Ivan Barrera from W&A consulting..
trust no one
February 04, 2016
Contacted by two groups in the last few weeks: Corporate Business International and Hamilton Brokers Inc. Both claim to have interested buyers and don't want money upfront (yet) just a signed letter as an intent to sell or rent. Didn't go forward with either to see what else they want - I just don't trust anyone seeking me out like this; it would be too easy to unload my timeshare this way.
very concerned
February 05, 2016
My parents were taken for a lot of money a few months ago by a group out of Georgia. They now have someone contacting them out of Denver. Corporate Business International - I have done several searches on this name and cannot find anything listed at all - does anyone recognize that name?
mark t.
February 08, 2016
I sent money to Premium Marketing International in 6200 Metrowest Blvd #205B Orlando FL 32835 the owner Freddy Torres which my attorney said its register they are a SCAM do not do business with them beware they never sold or rented any properties they just take your money.
FTC Staff
February 09, 2016

In reply to by mark t.

If you spot a scam, please report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

Blog comments don't go into the database.

Lesson learned
February 08, 2016
My story is similar to all those posted but the company names are F&S Real Estate Investments in Hahnville, Louisiana and Ajax Holdings LLC (Escrow company) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Unfortunately we felt for their scam because those 2 companies owned legal business licences in their respective states and very believable websites. Documents sent also looked very professional and authentic. Also quoted Microsoft as the buyer! However I've already verified that Ajax Holdings is a fake company because their company address is actually occupied by another legitimate property management company. Too bad I did not dig deeper before I lost over $3K :( Tell you NEVER trust anyone calling with offers to resell your timeshare!
mimmssey1
February 10, 2016
We are being pursued by a company called Bank For International Settlements. They claim to be a federal investigative group for Time Share scams. They have Stated that the case has been taken before a judge and A large $ amount has been approved. There site is s . They have not asked for money yet.
FTC Staff
February 10, 2016

In reply to by mimmssey1

Scam artists buy and sell lists with the names of people who lost money to fraudulent promotions, then call and promise to recover the money you lost, if you pay a fee in advance. That's against the law. Under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, they cannot ask for, or accept, payment until seven business days after they deliver the money or other item they recovered to you.This FTC article has more about refund and recovery scams.

US Federal government websites will end with '.gov'. You said the email came from a '.com' address. That is not a government address.

JP
February 14, 2016
I did get scammed for $2500 I was called by a Zack Peterson From OT Escapes Consultants out of New Hamspire. They have a website that looks real. I even checked the BBB on line at his suggestion and found them to be in good standing. He must of known that. NOTE later when I started my search and entered BBB company name and complaints I found several people that were scammed by OTC. Be careful when you search on BBB. When I did this search with N.H. Attorney general office he was also suprised. The scam was that they could sell my RCI bonus weeks for a min. of 10K He called it, get this, the Disney military Holiday. They sent me a contract and asked for a credit card and then gave me some lame story about how the could not use it and asked me to send them a check. I think there plan was to cash my check and use my card at the same time. I talked to women in his office and him many times. They were always available and returned my call. If I told you about all the things he said to make me to help me feel comfortable I would run out of space. I still became suspicious. and closed my CC account but it was to late to stop the check. They stopped answering the phone soon as the check cleared. Just lucky that's all they got. I don't know how they got my RCI info. I don't trust RCI now either. I know if it sounds to good it's not and said that several times to him. I hang up on people trying to sell me all the time. He and his group were just super slick and conned me. HOPE this helps
FTC Staff
February 16, 2016

In reply to by JP

Thank you for sharing your story. These are very useful details for a complaint. Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

Blog comments don't go into the database.

Diligent
February 22, 2016
Has anyone had dealings with Realty 21 out of Monterey Park CA? Similar story offering to sell our timeshare - no upfront fees - will use an Escrow Company - we only pay for Certificate of Release. They emailed us a form that will allow them to do a PPA - Preliminary Property Report to verify ownership etc. Then will send us a formal contract. Could it possibly be a lligitimate company?
Scam me please...
March 02, 2016

Same company selling the same line to me... Realty 21. Planning on playing along until they want a shiny new penny and then going into a tirade of sorts you wouldn't want your child to hear. Keep me updated.

Bree Z
October 14, 2016

Hi, Has anyone heard of Liberty Interactive Solutions? A family member of mine is currently thru process of selling timeshare in Mx and after telling me about all the money he has provided up front and now more is being requested, I decided to get involved and have a very bad feeling! Thanks for all of the tips in prior messages-very helpful.