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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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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.

Maria
November 26, 2019

In reply to by allainpad

I suffered the same fraud by Travel Right and Equity Closinf Service .I don t know were I could ddenoune them
ALFONSO MUÑOZ
October 23, 2019

In reply to by Rosa

Yo también he sido estafado por TRAVEL RIGHT. Ha podido hacer la demanda ?? Como lo hizo ?? Estamos tras de hacer esta demanda también pero aun no encontramos cómo.
alicia rios
May 19, 2017
A mi me están llamando para ofrecerme comprar mi Membresía de tiempo compartido y me están pidiendo dinero tal como lo plantean Uds en fraude. Yo estoy en Mexico y me llaman de Utah dicen que son "Real Estate Profesional Exclusive" y de Virginia A & A Holdings Inc. Por la mecánica parece ser un fraude. Espero le sirva a alguien esta información y sobre todo espero que les apliquen la ley.
cwetzbarger
May 19, 2014
On 19 May 2014 at approximately 1215 PM I received a telephone call from 949-776-1604 from an organization claiming to be able to lower my interest rate to 6.99%. This is the third such call I have received in as many weeks and the first one with an identifiable phone number. I selected 1 to talk to a human being who said that they represented Chase and Bank of America. His accent and grammar were common to that which I have heard from Asian Indians and there was sufficient lag time to have the telephone call connected to India. This gentleman knew my credit card balance, payment history, and pronounced my last name better than most Americans. He then asked for my credit card number, SSN, address, and mother's maiden name. I knew that this was a phishing call and did not provide any of this information. I instead told him that I would be contacting Chase, the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission. I also told him to remove my phone number from their records and to never contact me again. I have already contacted Customer Services with Chase and reported this. I have asked that at statement be added to my account that I would not be requesting additional credit, address change, or any other changes.
FAFA
May 29, 2018

In reply to by alicia rios

Hola , A mi me estan llamando estas mismas instituciones. al final si fue fraude?? o se concreto el negocio?
Aneysis.
August 20, 2019

In reply to by alicia rios

Por favor no des dinero a mi me estafaron con 1500 dolares que lo envie a un banco en mexico santander.supuestamente para pagarle a un notario que me cambiara la membresia de privado a comercial porque trip hegde me ofrecio comprarmela y me envio documentos firmados por una abogada Llamada Karen. L Anderson radica en texas luego de mi novatada me llamaron diciendo que tenía que pagar los taxes del dinero que me iban a pagar por la membresía y eran $6185 ahí fue donde me di cuenta que me estaban estafando los llamé y les dije cómo voy a pagar un dinero antes de ustedes pagarme a mí luego me llamaron de un supuesto banco en Nueva York qué internacional holding que tenía mi dinero en una cuenta pero no lo podían liberar hasta que yo no pagar a los taxes después me mandaron unos documentos supuestamente de México del SAT todos lo tienen muy bien creado es una banda de estafadores cuidado No caigas en eso. Por favor si alguien sabe dónde yo puedo denunciar a todas esas personas y enviarle las copias de todos los documentos por favor pongan un comentario Se los voy a agradecer
Pat Parham
May 23, 2014
We have call from Ian Thompson of San Antonio Title (supposedly) to sell time share to Pro Alliance Management. First we have to sign contract and send money to them. Would love to send you all copies of paperwork. My husband is tempted, I am not!!!!
Juanca
June 27, 2017
Vacation Internationals Programs, saben algo de esta empresa? Desean que les envié mas de 5000$ para alquilar mis semanas... Agradeceré alguna referencia por favor.
melannie
October 23, 2018

In reply to by Juanca

hola buenas me gustaría información, vacation internationals programs respondió o es otra estafa, ruego inforamcion gracias
Rbr- Texas
January 06, 2015

In reply to by Pat Parham

Do you have anymore information on this Ian Thompson? We have received a call also. Thank you.
Scott
February 03, 2015

In reply to by Rbr- Texas

hi there my name is Scott I was also contacted by in Thompson to close on a timeshare we have and he can be reached at area code 210 3074 282 but I do not believe he is very honest and what he is doing is not right we must stop him thank you
Dalsina
May 28, 2019

In reply to by melannie

Hola! Igual me esta contactando esta empresa Vacations Internationals Program, tiene todas las características que indican de fraude.. Favor de decirme si la recibieron respuestas a sus consultas. Es realmente un fraude??
Aneysis.
August 20, 2019

In reply to by Juanca

Todas son compañias que cometen frauden por favor no den dinero.estos son los numeros que no deben responder son estafadores a mi me paso y perdi 1500. Trip hedge 8882545941 8882950238 Unistar holding 9174449242 se hacen pasar por un banco en new york Sat 18882831393 estos dicen ser los cobradores de los taxes. Y este es el de la supuesta abogada Karen l Anderson 8323695970. Todos son un grupo de estafadores yo tengo todos los correos que me enviaron y las copias de los documentos pero no se donde denunciarlos porque estan todavia activos en las paginas de internet y los numeros de telefono cuando llamas te responden como si fuera una oficina.por favor si saben de algun sitio donde denunciar estos delitos por favor compartan la informacion gracias
Casi caigo.
June 01, 2018
Tengan cuidado con estas estafas a mi me estuvieron envolviendo para vender mi tiempo compartido a una suma de dinero muy atractiva.incluso te hacen firmar segun "contratos" de intermediacion financiera y compromisos de venta y al final ya cuando crees que va a ser un buen negocio te salen con la clausula de que tienes que depositar a una cuenta bancaria de santander mexico el equivalente a 1,600 usd en pesos a un buffete de abogados que se van a encargar de hacer los tramites legales de la compra venta ante el desarrollo hotelero y tambien con el notario publico. yo ya casi caigo en la estafa nadamas porque me adelante a asesorarme con un notario publico sobre los pormenores de el contrato de venta que segun yo iba a tener y el fue el que me metio la duda sobre la autenticidad de la operacion y ya me estoy dando cuenta de que estas estafas tienen años practicandolas.
Canuck
June 05, 2014
Peachtree and Cincinnati Premier...
David.Rachad
July 04, 2018
alguien sabe como podemos atrapar a estos melandros yo estoy dispuesto a cooperar
CampStein Photos
June 11, 2014
BEWARE of a company called International Luxury Events. They are contacting timeshare owners and offering to buy at 60-75% above your purchase price. We confirmed they are not even a real company- and their business location is fraudulent. They have been reported to the FTC, Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Attorney General. They call from phone #'s 323-786-1958, 818-924-2816 with names Brian Wright, David Snidee or Gregory White. But they are CLEARLY trying to imitate someone else, as their English is not great. Potential Spanish accent. Suspected to be in Mexico.
Disgusted
July 15, 2014

In reply to by CampStein Photos

YES!!!! Just dealt with them again today! Received phone calls from the same numbers asking if I was interested in selling my Unlimited Vacation Club timeshare, because they have companies that buy them and send clients there and then write it off. We had to sign a paper and send it back. Come to find they were going to pay us almost double what we paid for it! RED FLAG!! I was then told that I had to pay a $3,500 sales tax to Mexico b/c that's where the company that is buying it is located and I couldn't receive my $21,000 until that was paid. If I was to opt out I would be charged a 12% penalty and it would go into collections if we didn't pay up! Thank God for Google, otherwise I would have considered it since I just lost my job! The best part is that my husband called them back and ripped them a new one and they called me a few days later like nothing happened! They're scamming so many people they don't even know who they talk to! When something seems too good to be true, it usually is!! Don't fall for it!!
lisa
December 03, 2014

In reply to by Disgusted

Thank you!! I was just called today with an offer to buy my UVC membership out of an investment company in Chicago. They were also offering us more than what we paid!
Danielle
January 06, 2015

In reply to by lisa

I also just received a call from the investment company in Chicago offering to buy my Unlimited Vacation Club contract. It was called Estate Exchange Group LLC. They are offering me $29,300 for a timeshare that we only paid $14,000 for. They emailed me a contract, and they already had my email address and both my work and cell phone number. This sounds like a definite scam. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is!! Won't be talking to them - that is for sure. They didn't tell me about any upfront fees yet, but I'm sure they will if I were to call back. It did say something about paying a 6% fee at closing though. NOT!
reneecochrancl…
January 19, 2015

In reply to by Danielle

We also received a call and an email with the amount of $35,200.00 offered to purchase our Unlimited Vacation Club on January 7, 2015. That is almost double what we paid for it in November, 2014. We have considered it because of not being able to see a huge savings in other travels and UVC will not cancel and refund us our $5300 that we paid at the resort...very discouraging...
marjwest
March 29, 2015

In reply to by reneecochrancl…

I have been contacted by Pentagon Management Property, LLC out of Chicago. Sales pitch sounded like a company out of FL which I reported to the FL Consumer Department and this company insisted that I contacted them about the sale which was a lie. Checking those in rental properties for the Pentagon Management Property, LLC, I see the tenants have had problems with them. I believe they are a scam and I am not sending them my money. I informed the salesperson that called I would need time to review their business rating and property and they agreed. They will not get my timeshare. I am sending all documents to the Chicago Department of Consumer Protection and Federal agencies as necessary. They need to be stopped.
hennean
April 15, 2015

In reply to by marjwest

Hi There,Thanks so much for your above message. I have been contacted by the same company and am trying to find out if they are legitimate or if they are going to lead me down a Rabbit Hole!
Al W
April 27, 2015

In reply to by marjwest

I have been contacted by Pentagon Management Propery as well. I thought this to be a legitimate offer until Michael and Emma insisted on 10% but Nader fee that I pay to them up front. tomorrow I will contact the federal authorities in Illinios. Once you look at the documents they provide you will see the less than proper appearance. The sad part is....I really do not want the time share and thought the timing was fantastic.
jrsnyder
June 07, 2015

In reply to by marjwest

If you look up the address of this "company" you will find that it's located at a Starbucks! Definite scam!
Janet from Ren…
January 21, 2015

In reply to by Danielle

Danielle, we also received this call, but they didn't offer more than we paid for the time share. Have tried to verify company and it seem legit so far. What did you find out about Estate Exchange Group?
bigdogmg
April 27, 2015

In reply to by Janet from Ren…

I got a call from Pentagon Mgmt Property from Chicago. They want me to sign a resale agreement, but on one line it states I need to pay a $3125 Binder fee that will be paid back to me at closing. According to the sales guy this is "normal" when dealing with a timeshare that is from Mexico. I think I will listen to others who've posted that this is a warning. No money up front.
rlaurino
May 11, 2015

In reply to by Danielle

Danielle, I received the same call this week from a company called S&S Prime advisors. They initial offer is very similar to yours and currently the title company is evaluating if I'm a good prospect for them. I'm glad I found these postings because the offer is just too good to be true.Roberto
everettEC
June 01, 2015

In reply to by rlaurino

We got a call from Joseph Ramos at S&S Prime Advisors on Thurs (3 days ago). He offered us double what we paid in an offer letter. I'm going to report them and tell him to remove my contact info from his list. Just curious what happened to you after they "evaluated" your file? We are not going farther than agreeing to see their offer.
Frank Earnest
June 06, 2015

In reply to by everettEC

I also got a call from Joseph Ramos at S&S Prime Advisor and in his follow up letter he offered us double what we paid. I replied back "Not interested. Do not contact me again" with CC to the FBI and FTC.
jazzy
May 02, 2017

In reply to by Danielle

Have you pursued this proposal? What was the end result? Your story sounds very similar to mine. No upfront fees
Zack
January 05, 2016

In reply to by lisa

Was it called Vacation Connections LLC. Out of Chicago. It would seam that they got me for $3580.00 I feel like I was taken to the cleaners on this one. Look out!! At this time I'm not sure if there is any thing I can do.
Lazyboy
August 04, 2016

In reply to by Zack

Seems alot of these "property management" places originate out of Chicago. Well planned and documents look legit. Even websites are pretty convincing. My experience was from infinity development inc. They also used transfer solutions for the handling of funds. Went through the motions with them until the "closing". And tadaa. I need to wire them 2200 bucks for a Mexican tax id. I told them I would be more than willing to have the fee taken from the closing costs but apparently it doesn't work that way. Remain suspicious of companies that require fees upfront especially when selling. My experience with selling has always been any kind of fees are taken out funds already in place for the sale. Stay safe peeps
damnscammers
August 07, 2016

In reply to by Lazyboy

My parents just got taken for $11,000 from Infinity Development Inc and Transfer Solutions. My dad is well educated and am surprised he fell for it. The websites look good, but domain name registered on 6/1/2016 right before they started cold calling people. I have filed with FTC and fraud.org to help others. Also posting their name everywhere I can to get more search results about the scams and not their website!!!
Been taken
August 22, 2016

In reply to by damnscammers

I also have been scammed by infinity development and transfer solutions they want you to pay four fees by the time you are finished. They are not at the address they give you. And they are very good scammers.
meyer
August 29, 2016

In reply to by Been taken

infinity is offering me a high sum of money.I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS WEBSITE.
abtravellers
November 09, 2016

In reply to by damnscammers

We to have been contacted by Infinity and Transfer Solutions. Thank you for confirming that they are a scam, which we have suspected all along. We are just at the stage with them where they want us to pay our transfer penalty of 5 maintenance fees to them. They are now changing all the requirements from their initial comments. We have tried without success to get any information on these creeps that we can. This is the first confirmation I have found in the past 2 months that confirms our suspicions. Thank you for that. There must be somewhere else that we can get the message out about these fraudsters.
lee
December 02, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

Have you received or heard any complaints on a company called Resort Planning Group? I've been getting several calls lately on my Presidential suite at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach in Cabo, Mex. I would like to sell it as we are no longer able to travel due to health reasons. I currently have it listed with "Sell My Timeshare Now", but had to pay $1,750 for the advertising costs. I've looked on their site and it is listed. Is this still a Scam? Thank you for getting back to me soonest.
Uncertain
August 08, 2016

In reply to by Lazyboy

Lazyboy we are going through the same scenario you have mentioned. We have not had to front any money and we have received the escrow papers for signing. How did they respond? The RFC is being paid for by the buyer.
Been taken
August 25, 2016

In reply to by Uncertain

Yes that is what they say every time you pay. A few days later they want you to pay for something else. They will tell you to wire the money to Mexico. The buyer will also reimburse you the money. George moser will tell you they can't pay anything because they will lose there license. There was no license I checked ,they are not at the address that is on the contract we also have reported them to the proper authorities. Transfer solutions they sell medical eguipment,Infinity development lnc they are not listed with the real estate be. In illinois
Relieved!
April 02, 2015

In reply to by Disgusted

Great job!! I had the same situation. The company promised to reimburse the taxes after it was paid. I asked them to pay it since we were going to be paid back. They said they couldn't do that. I then asked them to send us the funds so we can pay the taxes. No response. Very curious situation.
abtravellers
November 09, 2016

In reply to by Relieved!

We just used your tactic with Richard McKinley from Infinity deveploements. We asked them to send us the 6000.00 they wanted us to send since it was to be reimbursed. He got kinda snippy and hung up. Guess he knew the jig was up.
More UVC jive
April 06, 2015

In reply to by Disgusted

Investment Group, Inc. from Chicago contacted us, too. They told us the rules of the assignment clause in our contract would not apply, because a Title Company would handle the transaction. I contacted UVC and they said this is NEVER done. They also had a 6% transaction fee.
Concerned
June 30, 2015

In reply to by More UVC jive

I too was just contacted by this Investment Affiliates Incorporated with a deal that seems too good to be true. I would really like to get out of this timeshare but very skeptical of a scam of which I think most of these are. What was your final outcome. It all sounds good so far but afraid I will email a document that will entitle them to my timeshare without getting paid. Any thoughts on this company?
FTC Staff
June 30, 2015

In reply to by Concerned

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you 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; enter the company name and the word “complaints” in a search engine and see what comes up.

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