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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.
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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.

Wishful thinking?
April 12, 2018
One one contact by R5 Realty and Escrow Management of Colorado? They are using CITIBANAMEX too.
Jason i
April 18, 2018

In reply to by Wishful thinking?

R5realty New Mexico Jason Theodore. Escrow Management PATRICK LUNA COLORADO. Scammers yeah me and my wife are several thousand dollars we live on Social Security they are the lowest of low people I’m sure my money is lost but I have turn them in to the FTC and Attorney General

reindeer
April 14, 2018
Has anyone closed a deal with NBC Network Brokerage Corp in New York, dealing with CCW Holding LLC as the escrow agents?
Eln
April 18, 2018

In reply to by reindeer

I’m dealing with them right now. I’m in the situation they are asking me to pay upfront for Quintana Roo state tax and will get reimbursed. CCW sent me a statement from CitiAmex that the money already deposited.
FTC Staff
April 18, 2018

In reply to by Eln

If you are selling a timeshare and the company asks for money in advance, that is a sign of a scam, and a signt that you don’t want to do business with the company.

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check out the resale company. 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. Type the company name into your computer with the word "complaints" or "reviews" and see what other people say about this company.

Mc use your e-…
April 15, 2018
Watch out for Sugar Creek Investment from Charlotte and St John Escrow out of Baltimore. Very believable and a total scam.
Concerneddaughter
April 28, 2018

In reply to by Mc use your e-…

My parents have been contacted by this company. Can you tell me how you are sure it’s a scam
FTC Staff
April 30, 2018

In reply to by Concerneddaughter

If you are selling a timeshare and the company asks for money in advance, that is a sign of a scam, and a sign that you don’t want to do business with the company.

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check out the resale company. 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. Type the company name into your computer with the word "complaints" or "reviews" and see what other people say about this company.

Read more about buying and selling a timeshare.

Ripped off
May 08, 2018

In reply to by Concerneddaughter

There are 8-10 complaints filed with the Attorney General in North Carolina. There are more complaints filed with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. They are illegally using the identities of actual licensed brokers who have nothing to do with this. There is are at least two police reports. The website is a fraud and their emails are now down, as are St. John's Escrow, the alleged escrow company for the deal, which is also a total fraud. Advise your parents to cease communications.
Marcia
April 30, 2018

In reply to by Mc use your e-…

they are very believable and robbed of us over $10,000.CDN
kodi jay
April 16, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by Bruce Keller of AltaVista realty? He contacted me about selling my timeshare in Mexico.
socal
April 18, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by BlueLight Realty Management Group LLC? They have approached me much the same way as many of you have. Calling me for months on end to sell my Cancun timeshare offering me double what I paid. All sounded legitimate with the documents they sent me. Then they said I need to apply for a Mexican Visa permit and that I had to travel to Mexico City to do it. I told them I could not do that so they offered to do it for me and have their lawyer register but I would need to wire them $2,150 to cover the fees and then the sell would take place and funds placed into an escrow and would be paid in 30 days. Seems very suspicious. How can you tell if these are legitimate?? Any thoughts on this?
BobF
April 27, 2018

In reply to by socal

They have been contacting me over the past several months as well. My property is near Cancun as well. I have been very skeptical and have asked them for contacts of any perviously satisfied customers. I have yet to send them any documents confirming my ownership.
Honey
May 04, 2018

In reply to by socal

We are in the same situation. Richard C. Lehrman of Bluelight Realty Management Group from NY called us about out timeshare in Cancun. Benjamin Carmona is the escrow officer. They want you to sent money to a lawyer in Mexico and pay taxes. I called the Attorney General Office and they said it is a scam.
Ceaser
July 03, 2019

In reply to by socal

Also Magnum Realty, Bonnie Dai Smith, total scam!, Lost over $10,000 US. Same tactics. Totally believable, got to the point where we would have to go to Mexico City to get anything. Don’t get hooked in. For us expensive lesson learned!!!
RAGS
April 18, 2018
Has anyone dealt with Golden Asia Realty? No money up front. They say I have to purchase a permit from Mexico in order to do business in that country in selling my Timeshare--$6300.00. True?
FTC Staff
April 19, 2018

In reply to by RAGS

If you are selling a timeshare and the company asks for money in advance, that is a sign of a scam, and a signt that you don’t want to do business with the company.

If the company says you must pay $6,300 for a permit, they're saying you must pay money up front.

Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you check out the resale company. 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. Type the company name into your computer with the word "complaints" or "reviews" and see what other people say about this company.

elku
April 18, 2018
Same story about Golden Asia Realty. Very high offer. Cash buyer. Buyer pays all taxes and fees. Money in escrow but need permit from Mexico for $5200 to proceed. They faxed a paper showing taxes were paid. Investigated and could not find any reason to doubt. Then another paper showing the money paid for taxes had be canceled because Mexico insisted that only I could pay taxes. They (Roberts & Manley)are very smooth talkers. Don't believe anything they say, they will tell you exactly what you want to hear. They will fax and phone, but note they will not do anything by US mail! I finally sent certified letters to them at their letter-head address in NY. Guess what! the letters came back to me with a stamp reading,"no such company at this address. No such person. No forwarding address." I was a victim of fraud because I wanted to believe so badly that I would get some big money that I needed. It cost me $5200. Run like fast. State Consumer Protection Agency lawyer confirmed they were a scam that he had seen before and told me what to expect. The fraud unfolded just as he said it would. Expensive lesson. No chance of getting money back. Good luck!
FTC Staff
May 16, 2018

In reply to by elku

You can help law enforcement by reporting this to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that law enforcement agencies use for investigations.

The comments you put here on the blog don’t go into the law enforcement database.

Same story-Let…
May 15, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Bridget Small -I know you have to keep repeating yourself but please continue responding and maybe we can get more people to report these scams. Thank you for saying it over and over it DID make me follow through and file a complaint today.
FTC Staff
May 16, 2018

In reply to by Same story-Let…

That's great - thank you for filing the complaint to support investigations, and thanks for letting me know that my comments are helpful. -- Bridget

NVDave
April 27, 2018

In reply to by elku

they called me as well - Michael Moore and then Lance - $63000 - never pay anything in advance - saying that there is no need in many cases to even pay any taxes, etc - only transfer fees at the timeshare - especially if the time share is not deeded.
Zarri
April 19, 2018
Has anyone closed a deal with Goldenriver investments?
Pam Lars
April 19, 2018
Has anyone had any dealings with Resort Closings, Inc. Bozeman, MT? The are asking for $1,200 up front and then $300 for Diamond Resorts International for a transfer fee.
Atkinsann
April 20, 2018
I also just received offer to sell my timeshare in Cancun! They are calling from Trivago, the travel company. Different names, but probably the same stories. Will now call them out, and Trivago should find out they are being used.
SoCalSurf
April 20, 2018
ELN, You didn't pay a sales tax when bought your timeshare, and you don't have to pay one when you sell. This is the part of the scam where they steal your money. The buyer pays any sales tax, not a seller. Run away as fast as you can.
KATHI
April 21, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by HALICON GROUP? Just like most of what I’ve read, they want to pay more for our weeks with VIDANTA than we paid. My husband would like to keep going just to see if they’re legit; I’m convinced they’re a scam, like all the ones I hang up on( or simply don’t answer calls and block the number). I don’t know just how they get the money, but I know they do, and they’re smarter at this than we are!
Coreybell
April 22, 2018
I am also dealing with NBC and CCW Holdings. They are asking that I pay taxes to Quintana Roo. Don't give them any more of your money.
Corvette70
April 25, 2018
Ditto on Golden Asia Realty Scam. They(Manley & Sullivan) are currently very active. Using a Title Services & Escrow Company called Nations Capital Inc.
ThankfullMN
May 09, 2018

In reply to by Corvette70

Yep, I also got an exceedingly lucrative offer from Golden Asia Realty (100x purchase price)and subsequent escrow statement from Nations Capital Inc. Title Services with an address in Rego Park NY. I was planning to contact Citibanamex who supposedly issued the escrow statement for confirmation that the info it real.
IveBeenScammed
April 26, 2018
Anyone received a call from Magnum Realty Group - Bradley D. Miller, supposedly operating out of Sacremento, CA? Offered us triple what we paid for our timeshare in Play Del Carmen in 2006. Got all the way to signing the deal and then hired our attorney - who have offices in Mexico to look into this. Citibanamex bank statement-supposedly created through a Escrow Company called Capital Transfer Assoc. Services, LP., where the funds were being held to paid us as soon as we closed on the deal. Just smelled funny and never signed the deal. Will be reporting to the FTC. Wanted to warn others here. Sure feel stupid.
Ambsk
May 03, 2018

In reply to by IveBeenScammed

What made you not sign? We have same thing, different seller name but same group. Final meeting today.
IveBeenScammed
May 13, 2018

In reply to by Ambsk

Everything we are reading on the internet says don’t do this. They have not asked for any money up front and offered to let us get our own attorney to pay the taxes directly to the Mexican govt. Still checking into whether or not the bank account they have set up for us is phony or not. Did you sign.
I've been scammed 2
May 07, 2018

In reply to by IveBeenScammed

Going through the exact same thing myself right now. Thanks for posting this. Sure sounded good.
pjd
April 27, 2018
Has anyone ever had any dealings with a company called Colorado One Real Estate LLC, they have made us a offer for our timeshare and could use some good old fashion advice. Thank you
Lam.duyen
May 13, 2018

In reply to by pjd

Yes. They called me too. They gave me excellent offer for my property too. Did you get any advice from anyone who got scam with this company?
Concerneddaughter
April 28, 2018
Has anyone heard of Silver Creek investments.
Concerned daughter
April 29, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by Sugar Creek investments. They have contacted my parents.
Feeling vunerable
May 01, 2018
I was contacted by Magnum Realty as well and everything seems very professioanal and upfront,until Capital Transfer Associated Services LLC sent several pages of documents with the last one asking for money through a wire transfer...smells funny to me. Can anyone confirm they are a scam...it feels this way to me.
RE: feeling vu…
May 02, 2018

In reply to by Feeling vunerable

I am currently being contacted by Magnum Realty as well. As you say, they seem professional but is it too good to be true that you could get your money back with the possibility of a bit of profit? I have not yet received any written correspondence but will surely pay close attention to detail.
Doobhuffn't us…
May 01, 2018
we are currently dealing with R5-Realty out of NM and escro Management out of colorado, to sell our time share in cancun, we recently wired 2,175 to mexico for a supposed number to be able to transfer money from mexico, today they told us we needed to pay Mexico 3000 dollars for capital gains, as they had our money leaned on until they did, I had researched, and they looked legitimate, but not enough, all day long, been calling attorney generals, etc. our time share company thinks we are being scamed, so we have filed a lot of papers, and are going after them. we lost 2175, looks like, but no more, the numbers they gave me in mexico have come back invalid, etc. really be careful out there, our attorney general said a big sign of fraud was when they offer you more for your timeshare than you paid for it. they did
Foxy
May 03, 2018

In reply to by Doobhuffn't us…

Total scam - they are being investigated by the NM Real estate commission. We just about signed up as well. They did get our drivers license numbers and date of birth. Called our banks and DMV. No money exchanged.
Graham L
May 02, 2018
Was offered 50K more than my TS was worth by Magnum. Sounded very professional on phone and email replies. They did not like my idea of setting up a Trust Account through my lawyer. wanted me to use one of their accounts. My lawyer did some background investigation and smelled a rat. I believe this is a scam.
Foxy
May 03, 2018
5 star Realty is a total scam outfit. Michael J Buck. Daniel H Boardman. Deborah Hemphill Gary Benson Jr. And Patric Luna - all fake. Names I am sure. But we have been in conversation with them since March 22. Just about to close a deal that seemed too good to be true. Called the NM real estate commission - they are under investigation we learned this am. Thanks everyone for being diligent and checking up on companies that want our money and probably identity as well.
Don't use your…
May 03, 2018
Robert Abbott w/Sugar Creek Inv. is total scam!!!
Ready
May 03, 2018
Just had a call from Magnum Realty Sacramento offering to buy timeshare. Very good talkers but I was suspicious from the beginning. Awaiting their offer but thankful I found this site. There will be no further correspondence with them.
Redwave
May 04, 2018

In reply to by Ready

Also got a call from Magnum Realty Sacramento (Bonnie Dai Smith) who offered 2x what we paid to buy our timeshare in PDC, Mx. Very sweet-polished talker but I was suspicious from the start. Awaiting their follow-up but very thankful I found this site. Playing along with them and stringing them to see how far will they go before they get tired of me.
Redwave
May 04, 2018
Also got aa call from Magnum Realty (Bonnie Dai Smith) in Sacramento offering to buy timeshare for 2x what we paid. Very good/polished talker but I was suspicious from the beginning. Awaiting their follow-up but so thankful I found this site. Stringing them along to see how far will they go...
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