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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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Kimba K
August 23, 2019

In reply to by mastarsky

They contacted me yesterday and sent a preliminary letter of offer. I’m just looking into them to seem If they are scammers. Has anyone else had any contact or experience with them? What was your experience?
Don't use your…
May 21, 2019
I got a phone call from a mr Souza from San Diego cal. He refers me to a lawyer in New Haven CT. This lawyer has communication with Mexico .this Private Luxury club concord sa de cv want to purchase my time share but the Servicio administration tribulations telling me that I have to wire them 27k to pay for capital gain ,but this amount is in the statement that financial capital incorparated sent me , so why this person from SAt want the 27k from me ,but they said the buyer pay that in the statements and I can see it on the statement so why would I give them 27k when they can deducted directly from the sale and give it to the government , also the Sat told me if I do not pay he will have to sent the fund back to the Mexican bank but since the fund came in NY I am responsible to pay the capital gain *never got the fund )and he told me also if I go to Mexico I will be arrested and have to go to the judge about 3time to prove that I find receive the fund. So if anybody has the same problem let me know.
ngm
June 06, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

so im actually dealing with the same issue myself i had a buyer from Arizona call me offering to buy my timeshare in cabo, and the same law office in Connecticut sent me a purchase agreement and even have the bank in new york, but just like you said i had to pay capital gain, release of ownership and foreign expense fee and now they are asking for closing cost all wired to mexico i confirmed through the connecticut state bar comittee that law office is legit but i called mexico and the individuals i've been calling and dealing with do not work in that office so i have proceeded to call my bank to repo the wire transfer put in a report to the FBI and federal trade commission and i'm praying i get my money back
CaboLuvr
June 07, 2019

In reply to by ngm

I have been contacted by Rocky Mountain equity investments out of Denver, Co....Person talking to me is Jeremy Anderson. I checked out his licence # on the purchase offer, its inactive. Red Flag #1. I spoke with another person from this company, who basically told me I should ask for a higher offer....Probably so they could get more money when they tried to scam me (8% escrow fees). Why would they want me to ask for 25K more on a timeshare I didn't even pay 25K for in the first place....Red flag #2. I decided to look up the address on the purchase offer...address is to a parking lot to a shotty day spa...Red Flag #3. I've been playing along as if I am a total sucker, so they are getting really excited about this sale! Today I received 4 calls related to signing an official offer/escrow papers. They have been reported to the BBB and real estate commission in Colorado. This is a total scam. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY, you will not ever receive funds promised to you. Don't even give them your real email! No one calls you and asks to buy your timeshare. If they do, its a scam, and block their number. If it sounds too good to be true, it IS! To NGM, I really hope you get your money back! Let us know how that goes.
JAB
July 23, 2019

In reply to by CaboLuvr

Contacted by the same group. Looking to buy my membership in Cabo San Lucas. Goggled them and their address. Looks like a small ragged residential apartment building. They sent me an offer that was about 2x the price i paid for it. Seems like a scam. Your thoughts?
Jay
August 08, 2019

In reply to by ngm

If you have wire money into Mexico there is no way you will get it back. I was caught in a scam a few years back and even contacted the Mexican government with all my backup & there was nothing they could do.
Rb
August 23, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

I'm in same situation sat call me there need me too wire of capital gain tax after that pays there will release my money from the bank in new York and then that bank call me so post that money is in bank on hold into $9972.50 I will see that money on my back
DetectaHotel C…
May 21, 2019
Detecta Hotels Corporation and Eric H. Anderson Law Group - they advised that Bahia Principe (with whom the time share is) wanted 10% up front prior to the funds being wired to me. Spoke several times to the law firm (James Moretti paralegal) and checked out their web site and they sounded and looked legit. The bank account for Bahia did not accept the wire transfer as they said that this account was "over-saturated" and sent new instructions for wire transfer - with new payee and new details - never heard of such a thing! Luckily, was able to get funds back via my bank. BEWARE!
Walt
May 25, 2019
We were contacted by a group calling themselves Consolidated Financial Management Inc. from Colorado Springs Co. They claim they they could resell your timeshare or vacation ownership for more than what you paid for and sent a letter of intent to that affect. No request for money yet but I expect that is the next step. If anyone has had dealings with this company I’d like to read your comments Walt
Cindy
August 14, 2019

In reply to by Walt

Also got a letter of intent from Consolidated Financial Management in Colorado Springs to purchase week at Villa del Palmar in Cabo. He said no funds paid up front. Anyone else work with them ?
minnmike
October 08, 2019

In reply to by Walt

How did your dealings with Consolidated Financial Management end up? Did you ever end up getting your payout? We have been working with them since March and continue to have to pay for additional required Mexican government "fees". Just curious if anyone had actually had transaction go to closing and have the funds distributed.
Enbee
May 31, 2019
I'm in a similar situation to many of you. I've been contacted by Rakuten Travel (or so they say they are) and they've made a higher offer than asking and much more than I paid for my timeshare with Villa del Palmar. First I spoke with some Mexico-based agents and now they've referred me to a lawyer in Baltimore who sent a contract that seems vaguely legit but it does have a clause that says any taxes are the responsibility of the seller. I'll need to research the taxes. Keep you posted but it seems like it is probably a scam.
camposj
March 13, 2020

In reply to by Enbee

I too just got a letter from a law firm in Sacramento California related to possible sale to Rakuten Travel Corp, regulated under the laws of Mexico with its corporate office located at: insurgentes Sur 149, Juárez, 06760, Ciudad de México, Mexico. The law firm is James Gordon Write, 801 K St. Renaissance Tower, Sacramento, CA, 95814 with phone number 916-588-9958 and an email legalteam @lawofficeof jameswright. You would think if legit they would use the same law firm, I’ve not yet returned any docs, I guess I won’t, sounds like a scam. Some verbiage abut taxes is in the offer contract. Will call the resort and find out if Rakuten has been buying members weeks and will call the law firm in Sacramento Just for kicks.
kk
June 10, 2019

In reply to by Enbee

I have a Villa membership as well and have been made an acceptable offer. I told the guy I will not pay one single dime up front ever. He said fine we dont require it. Money goes to escrow we close like buying a house. When you get your money pay my 5% commission. Can’t find anything negative. Still thinking about it.
mic
July 11, 2019

In reply to by kk

We have been approached for villa del palmar also. Any more info on them?
bushcat
July 12, 2019

In reply to by kk

Don't forget about bad checks and drafts, they say no money needed, when you get your money, pay us. But you deposit the money, send them your 5% and in 14 days the bank comes back and says it is a fake check and you have to repay the bank, and you will never see your 5% again. This happens all the time at the bank. Phone your bank before you send anything
Damon
June 11, 2019

In reply to by Enbee

I have getting similar calls from Rakuten Travel for my timeshare with Villa del Palmar in Cabo. I am 99% sure it's a scam, but I plan to ride it out and see where this goes. They offered me $31,320 for my 1 week. I also received a similar looking PDF offer for it from Detecta Hotel for $35,000.
SSS
July 11, 2019

In reply to by Damon

Did that sale go through? I have an offer from DetecaHotels as well with Law office of Johnathan Stewart representing them. I have verified the Law office is ACTIVE with the Bar of NY. I've called and emailed the office multiple times and talked to the same person and other staff several times. We have even talked to my timeshare transfer dept. It all seems too good to be true but everything also seems to be checking out with all my skeptical investigations. They say funds are already deposited with the law office. BUT now MY timeshare is requiring me to pay a transfer processing fee of $2600 (1%) via wire before they will send me the authorization to transfer my I interest. HAS ANYONE else been through this?
tara
July 19, 2019

In reply to by Damon

Hi Damon did you proceed with Detecta? They also called me about my timeshare?
Hockeyfan
August 28, 2019

In reply to by Enbee

I also have an offer from Rakuten Travel for $30.9K. The commission would be 5% and would also refund the fee charged by the resort, in Puerta Vallarta ($3.1K), paid up front. This fee is a transaction fee for taxes and filing within the Mexican govt. I'm certain I'll never get my up front fee refunded.
Joe B
June 04, 2019
Anybody heard of Morgan Equity Partners out of Milwaukee? Pitch sounds very familiar. I signed letter of intent; escrow company to contact me shortly.
G chaffee
June 14, 2019

In reply to by Joe B

I received multiple calls about selling my timeshare from Morgan equity partmers 414-253-0905. Haven't returned call. Wanted to find out if it was a scam.
Andrevarg
June 17, 2019

In reply to by Joe B

I am under the same pitch, now they are saying I have to put up $5500 to complete the transaction. I am thinking about backing out. Let me know what happens
Vineyards
August 06, 2019

In reply to by Andrevarg

Did you proceed with completing the transaction? We received a similar request to bank wire-transfer $5,500 US for transfer of ownership to a mexican bank. The beneficiary name is PAGRA Servicios Especializados S.A. DE C.V.
Dntmiller
October 25, 2019

In reply to by Joe B

They just called us too! Would love to know if they are real. Did you sell with them? Really get your money?
ADR SoCal
July 20, 2019

In reply to by Joe B

We've been contacted by Morgan Equity Partners also. We were emailed a letter of intent, but have not signed. Please let us know what happens. I can't locate the company on LinkedIn and I cannot find the individuals on LinkedIn either. I did a reverse phone look-up (414-253-0905) I believe it may be blacklisted. I ran a search for the address (898 E Wisconsin Suite 360 Milwaukee, WI, 53202) and nothing legit comes up. When you do a simple google search of the company name, nothing comes up exactly. I'd be cautious.
JennyD
June 11, 2019
Adventures Portfolio Service. Has anyone heard of them? Thanks. They are asking for an upfront fee.
Chasmo1
October 25, 2019
I have been contacted by Travel + Leisure office located at Avenida Río San Joaquín 406 Piso 6-D, Miguel Hidalgo, 10 de Abril, 11250 Ciudad de México, CDMX to purchase my UVC membership. They haven't asked for me to send any money anywhere, they sent me a contract where they will wire the money into my account upon approval for the sale by the corresponding resort before any documents are signed to complete the sale. UVC charges a 10% transfer fee, T&L states they will reimburse that in advance. I was more recently talking to a woman in their legal department that I was passed off to, the contract has a weird policy of me the seller paying a 5% commission to the agent; when I questioned them about that saying it was an odd arrangement, they said the initial contact should have disclosed that to me. I asked them to listen to the recording (pretty sure I had been recorded) and after research they said I was correct and waived the 5% with no fuss. No taxes to pay supposedly. So far, I haven't seen any of the classic ripoff red flags in this deal. I have opened a new account for the wire transfer. The woman in Legal actually suggested I do that (I had already done it). If this deal isn't legit I am unable to tell how. BUT - The thing that give me a lot of hesitation is their website URL from their email addresses @travelleisure. com. mx only goes to an unbuilt website (Red Flag). There is a website for Travel + Leisure travel and leisure. com that on the surface looks like a real travel agent website (which is what they claim to be) but it's mostly ads and weak blog posts and you can't book any real travel from their website which is owned by a Meredith company.
simbasd
June 14, 2019
Universal Events and Marketing has pursued me to purchase my Vidanta Property. Set me up with some bogus escrow contract from Benson Federal Financial, a company that says its been in business since 1984, but not a single hit on Google or BBB, doesn't exist. What jerks! They aren't asking for money, but to sign a contract that was poorly written and probably a setup. I hate Vidanta and Villa Del Palmar for releasing my information!!!
gdp
September 18, 2019

In reply to by simbasd

On a follow up, if you search on whois.com for the domain names of both UE&M and Benson Federal Financial you can see that they were both created on May 20 and 21 of 2019.
marslo
October 16, 2019

In reply to by simbasd

I have had the same company call and send me offers for our Vidanta weeks. Tired of these scammers too. I live in Canada and cant imagine how they get our info. They say it is part of the public record in Mexico. We've had dozens of calls.
Manda
June 19, 2019
I was contacted by Ace Properties LLC out of Philadelphia and the pitch and letter of intent sounds the same as many others on this site. Has anyone heard of them?
Angie
June 27, 2019

In reply to by Manda

Hi Manda, My husband was contacted by Ace Properties LLC out of Philadelphia and they sent a purchase offer to his email. I am extremely skeptical because their website doesn't list a license# or broker # anywhere. Also, the purchase agreement has numerous errors as far as exact location, points vs weeks, and season. This is all very specific info that a buyer should know before offering thousands of dollars which is why I don't believe they have a buyer... it must be a scam.
Brian203
February 18, 2020

In reply to by Angie

yes they gog me good and same thing as all scams i read is they are i say phony
Curious
June 29, 2019

In reply to by Manda

I was also contacted by Ace Properties. What have you found out about them?
Erik58
July 06, 2019

In reply to by Manda

I too was contacted by Ace Properties LLC Philadelphia on July 3, 2019. The pitch and letter of intents sounds the same as many others on site. But I can't find anyone that has used them good or bad. Has anyone heard of them too?
Leery21
August 27, 2019

In reply to by Erik58

Ace Properties LLC has contacted me as well. Has anyone attempted to follow through, or has anyone confirmed it as a scam?
Thuy
August 29, 2019

In reply to by Manda

Definitely a scam. I almost went for it. Luckily, during all this, I had to go to Washington D.C. for something else (I live in Washington State). Their address was 2.5 hours from where I was staying. So I decided to give them a visit and informed them of my intention. The person had been talking with (Jason Carchedi) sounded very excited to see me and we set 7/19/2019 as my visit day. He gave me driving & parking instructions. When I got there, that address belongs to a Law Firm. All day that day, I called him and got no answer. Since then, I never heard from him again.
Scammed
June 24, 2019
Contacted by a group calling themselves Clinton Real Estate out of Memphis, seeking to purchase our Unlimited Vacation Club membership. These people are scary - professional web sites, using the names of actual realtors so a search with State of Tennessee shows they're legitimate. Working in partnership with a company supposedly called International Property Services LLC out of New York. Incredibly real-looking documents. Took us for several thousand dollars. Really, does law enforcement put any effort into catching these people? When we finally confronted the scammers they just laughed. No fear of being caught.
csmith1975
July 25, 2019

In reply to by Scammed

Hello, Did you ever receive your money??? Have you heard of a company name A & T Real Estate Holdings LLC? This company has been contacting me.
Littlebit50
July 02, 2019
Has anyone dealt with W.N.T.A, Inc through Travel Industry Consultants with regards to purchasing their timeshare in Mexico
jolinda baylies
August 20, 2019

In reply to by Littlebit50

I was contacted by Travel Industry Consultants and W.N.T.A. wired $5000. Now they want more!!! Anyone have luck with this company,?? They were selling my Timeshare in Mexico.
Fzaragoza
October 19, 2019

In reply to by jolinda baylies

My father is in the same situation with WNTA. They require other amount, now for FDIC. Honestly, I think that all is a fraud, but my father wants to continue the operation. I don’t know how to stop my father, or at least if I could get more evidence to demonstrate the fraud.
Wildeez
July 08, 2019
I was just contacted by MB Realty LLC, in New York. They are interested in selling my Vidanta membership in Mexico. I looked them up and they have a pretty sweet website but they also have an NR rating with the BBB. Also, the links to some properties they show on their website only have links to photos of properties, no details of the properties. Anyone have any dealings with this realtor?
Sandman19
July 09, 2019
Has anyone heard of or used CFT timeshare sales? Wondering if they are on the up and up or have designed a new scam.
purdue
January 11, 2020

In reply to by Sandman19

I have been. A girl contacted me to buy. Made me legit offer. I just have to agree. She can get her own title company. I don’t know what to do.
ragie21
July 09, 2019
Does anyone talked to MB realty Multinational Broker in NY? They are trying to rent my timeshare in Mexico.
Perk
September 17, 2019

In reply to by ragie21

Yes ,I was offered $62,000 for my week timeshare in Vidanta Mexico Then I had to pay them $6300 for a transfer fee now they asked for a tax fee $12,000.As I got more informed they are scamming me cause there is no taxes to buy a timeshare . BEWARE FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS
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