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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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Another One
September 02, 2015

In reply to by Disgusted

I've been getting calls from W&A Consulting, I haven't seen them in this blog. Has anyone heard of them? They also want to purchase my UVC membership, at the possible price of $29,500. I figured they, too, were blowing smoke, now I'm sure of it after finding this blog. A foreign company selling vacation clubs, selling our names to another foreign company, then trying to scam the buyers. You gotta love that. I actually like my membership and have gone on a half a dozen US ski trips with it for just the RCI fees. I think I'll keep it.
CeCe
June 20, 2014
I have received frequent calls from Sell my Time share. This is an agressive organization. HANG UP immediately Mr. David is a scam artist and insist that he is doing you a favor and you should be glad he even bother to call. The man harrassed me and I finally got rid of him when I told him I reported him to the FTC and Consumer Fraud. Several months later he called back using a different name...I hung up.
MANUEL LARA
July 14, 2018
A MI ME HABALRON DE UN NUMERO DE OKLAHOMA DE UNA CASA DE BIENES RAICES PARA OFRECERME UNA BUENA OFERTA POR LA VENTA DE MI TIEMPO COMPARTIDO TE ENVIAN UNA CARTA DE INTENCION DE VENTA Y POSTERIOMENTE UN CONTRATO DE INTERMEDICACION A NOMBRE DE "OKLAHOMA CITY REALTY" Y DESPUES TE LLAMA UNA EMPRESA DE NOMBRE A&A HOLDING INC QUIENES SUPUESTAMENTE RESGUADAN EL DINERO DEL COMPRADOR DEL TIEMPO COMPARTIDO, PRIMERO TE DICEN QUE NO PAGARAS NADA HASTA QUE ESTES CAPITALIZADO Y QUE TE DEPOSITARAN CUANDO ESTES FRENTE AL NOTARIO FIRMANDO Y DESPUES TE DICEN QUE TIENES QUE DEPOSITAR A ESTA EMPRESA EN VIRGINIA "A&A HOLDING INC" Y AQUI ES DONDE YA NO CONCUERDA NADA, TENGAN CUIDADO CON ESTAS EMPRESAS Y NO SE DEJEN ENGAÑAR, ESPERO LES SIRVA ESTA INFORMACION
Guillermo M
August 09, 2018

In reply to by MANUEL LARA

A mi me está pasando exactamente igual, con los mismos nombres. ¿Está 100% de que es un fraude? ¿Cómo lo comprobaron? Muchas gracias.
Angelina Gutierrez
August 01, 2018
Yo inicie contrato con una empresa llamada The Mobile Broker Inc y me determinaron una financiera llamada Ace Finance Company LLC y lamentablemente he mandado enormes cantidades de dinero y ahora amenazan con demandarme por incumplimiento de contrato ya que no he mandado mas que me han pedido¿alguien ha sido fraudeado por ellos? Quisiera saber como terminaron este fraude
Tawd
June 24, 2014
they call me everyday
TIGRE
October 17, 2018

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

ANGELINA ME GUSTARÍA CONTACTARTE YO ESTOY EN LA MISMA SITUACIÓN Y CON LAS MISMAS COMPAÑÍAS Y TENGO ALGO DE INFORMACIÓN, OJALA TE PUEDA CONTACTARTE PRONTO
LEON
May 11, 2020

In reply to by TIGRE

HOLA QUE INFORMACIÓN TIENE QUE PUEDE AYUDAR? GRACIAS
Gloria Matienzo G.
October 24, 2019

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Gracias a todos por sus comentarios. Mi esposo y yo adquirimos tiempo compartido y justo estamos visualizando que no sea un fraude. Porque la compañía de hace denominar Kansas city Brokerage inc. Llaman insistentemente y no quiero pasar por lo mismo. Gracias
Angelina Gutierrez
August 01, 2018
Yo cai en una situación muy parecida, yo vivo en México y tenían todos los datos de mi y de mi tiempo compartido con Fiesta Americana Vacation Club. Pero yo si mandé dinero por diferentes conceptos a una cuenta Bancomer en México a nombre de JIT Importarciones y Exportaciones S.A de C.V. temiendo caer en un incumplimiento de contrato. Las "empresas" con que traté son The Mobile Broker Inc de Nueva York y Ace Finance Company LLC de South Carolina. Ahora me dicen que me demandarán por incumplimiento de contrato porque ya no quise mandar más dinero, y estoy en espera de eso. Tengo deudas enormes y la posible demanda. Quisiera saber si alguien más ha tenido fraude con ellos y que ha pasado.
Brian- San Diego
June 28, 2014
Anyone heard of international corporate brokers out of Texas? Recent calls with promise of sale but requesting an upfront 10% transfer fee for my puerto Vallarta timeshare. They are sending mr a contract , more to come.
Gerardo Pérez
September 03, 2018

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Hola Angelina! Esta compañía me esta contactando para lo mismo... me gustaría contactarte para preguntarte un par de cosas...
v8amigo
September 24, 2014

In reply to by Brian- San Diego

brian- we also have been contacted by ICB , i am still looking for more info
Maria Guadalupe
November 07, 2018

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Hola quisiera saber como termino tu caso estoy en una situacion similar como puedo contactarte
laura velez
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Me encuentro en la misma situación, me quieren demandar por incumpliento del contrato, me gustaría saber si lograste denunciarlos o solucionar la situación, estoy desesperada , donde puedo poner la denuncia
jess
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Hola Angelina, pase algo parecido con mi membresía perdí mucho dinero pero me contactaron unos abogados de Texas y ahora también tengo duda si son ellos mismos, la empresa se Texas assosite, inc podrías platicar si a ti también te contactaron?
s.salcedo
June 15, 2020

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Hola me gustaria saber si alguna vez le llego alguna demanda, ya que yo tambien firme los contratos, pero no he depositado ninguna cantidad, pero si me da miedo que me lleguen a demandar
Andrés
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Aue tal Angelina buenos días, estoy en el mismo caso , pero con otra compañía , quisiera saber si te demandaron??
Álvaro Rivero
August 20, 2020

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

No te preocupes por la demanda. No tienen forma de demandar, se estarían exponiendo a caer con todo su teatro.
Arturo Acosta
January 13, 2021

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Angelina Gutiérrez estoy en una situacion igual te puedo contactar vivo en Ciudad del Carmen Campeche Mexico
Rebeca
July 26, 2021

In reply to by Angelina Gutierrez

Hola buenas tardes mi esposo y yo estamos pasando por una situación semejante con el Grupo Posadas de Fiesta americana . Ya hemos depositado una gran cantidad de dinero y ahora resulta que nuestro dinero está confiscado por el gobierno de México, las empresas contactadas con Remax y un supuesto comprador anónimo, alguien q se encuentre en la misma situación
janet melendez
August 07, 2018
Hola a mi también me están hablando de Oklahoma City Realty y me prometen que me van a dar una suma, pero son profesionales de la estafa por que te hacen confiar en sus propuestas. Gracias a sus comentarios no me dejare engañar.
Feminmk
July 03, 2014
My recent scam experience was from Sam baker at Bell resort sales out of Amarillo, TX. He said he had a buyer for my timeshare. He only asked for $175 for title search and a tax fee. His commission was to be paid for by the buyer. I was to send the money western union to their branch in Daytona beach, fl. He would then send me the contract by fed ex. I had already received a contract by email. Needless to say I took the bait. After he received his money the company website did not exist, the company address was bogus and he does not respond to his phone or email. Seems like there should be more to this scam than $175. If anyone else has experienced this please let me know.
GaryDonD
July 08, 2014

In reply to by Feminmk

Feminmk. I also received numerous emails from Mr. Baker and I also sent him about the same amount. Just like you, I haven't heard back from him and I he won't respond to emails, txt msgs, and his direct line has a "mailbox full" message. His company line lets me leave a voicemail but no return calls.
Outraged
July 08, 2014
BEWARE INTERNATIONAL LUXURY EVENTS calling from 323 786-1958. How they got my HOME number is beyond me. A guy with the last name of Simmons left a message twice. I returned the call because he spoke so fast on the phone I thought is was from my UVC membership that I own. When I called back and told him I already returned the call and left a message, asked why he was again calling and why on my home phone, he said "It's time to pull up your big girl panties and take care of business". I am now online finding out what a piece of crap business this is. As an attorney, it is my hope that some protections will be provided to those sucked in by this fast-talking, disrepectful obvious scammer who would not even tell me the name of the company he was working for. I had to google the number to find them.
another name
March 07, 2015

In reply to by Outraged

Also beware of Global Luxury events and name used was Mark Hammer.
Tommy tone
July 22, 2014
Reply company called property connect sent me letter of intent to buy my Uvc membership gave me escrow company transfer group both out of Chicago gave me a contract told me no money out of my pocket at all still scared anybody have any good advice thanks
Leon
August 13, 2018
Sr ami me contactaron, en primer lugar una empresa llamada REPE, real state profesional exclusive, ofreciéndome la compra de mi plan vacacional, con una oferta de compra arriba del costo real, asta llegar a una suma muy atractiva, te mandan un contrato con cláusulas que te hacen creer que todo está bien, y que será una venta libre de estrés, que no te causará desembolso, una vez que firmas te piden que deposites una cantidad que son reembolsables para cubrir gastos de representación y cuotas por venta que te cobra el desarrollo, para esto se comunica otra empresa de representación neutral, score a&a Holding inc. que firmas un contrato de representación y que ellos garantizan la operación y serán re tenedores del dinero que será depositado por el comprador,REPE se encuentra en Estados Unidos pero tienen una filial en mexico que recibirá el depósito, la empresa en mexico se llama nuvo HS especialistas, quien recibe el primer pago que debes de hacer, para posterior mente decirte que tú cuenta fue detectada por el tesoro de los Estados Unidos (IRS) y que está parcialmente congelada, por lo qué hay que pagar el 30% de la cantidad depositada, te mandan un documento que hace mención de este crédito con el IRS Y qué hay que pagar en un plazo de 5 días, o problem on, de donde sacas el 30% de 200,000 dólares por ejemplo, pero ellos tienen la solución, por ser acreedor de 200,000 dólares o más, ellos consiguen un financiamiento, donde ellos por ser una operación de credibilidad serán tu aval y el representante que te atiende el da la cara por ti, pero, siempre hay un pero, ese financiamiento tiene un costo de más de 7,000 dólares, que es ahí donde entra de nuevo la empresa de mexico, nuvo hs especialistas(en robarte), una vez que se dan cuenta si puedes pagar siguen en contacto contigo, si ven que no puedes depositar los 7,000 dólares convertidos a peso ya no te contactan. MI CONSEJO, desde el arranque de esta operación, pidan en primer lugar identificación de las personas que les marcan de estas intermediarias, y nunca firmar documentos aunque sean por internet, ya que te vas sintiendo vulnerable, no hacer ningún pago por adelantado de ningún concepto, esto es estafa señores.
Theshopper59
August 15, 2014

In reply to by Tommy tone

Hey Tommy, did you ever receive your money. I have had similar experience with Vacation Properties Intl from LA telling me that they have somebody to buy my timeshare......thanks, Y
Another Tommy tone
July 29, 2014
I got the same thing. Property Connect LLC in Chicago. Guy called me then sent the letter of intent. I'm here investigating if this is legit. Trying to figure this out.
Arturo
October 17, 2018
Real Estate Profesional Exclusive y A&A Holding Inc son empresas fraudulentas de Estados Unidos, NO firmen contratos! Todo te lo mandan tan profesionalmente que parece real, pero al final de todo resulta fraude.
José Juan
November 29, 2018

In reply to by Arturo

Arturo ojala pudiera contactarte para conocer tu experiencia, la verdad es que si hace un año hubiera visto tu publicación no estaría en la situación que me encuentro en este momento.
BCOwner
August 12, 2014

In reply to by Another Tommy tone

We've heard from them too. It's a scam. I searched their address and then came up with a real estate company who manages the building. Their address is a vacant suite. We got so far as speaking with their escrow agent who was insisting on us paying the transfer fee by wire transfer to a bank in Mexico. We refused saying we were willing to complete the transaction but on the basis that all proceeds, including the transfer fee that they agreed to pay, would be paid to our lawyer in trust. They have phoned and objected to this but still sound professional on the phone. The challenge now is to get them to stop calling.
Another Voice
October 31, 2014

In reply to by Another Tommy tone

I heard from Property Connect also. Found three additional companies online with the identical website set-up including pictures and testimonials. When I told this to the Property Connect people they acted liked it was a surprise. They said they would investigate and get back to me. Haven't heard from them since.
Leticia
May 21, 2019

In reply to by Arturo

Fuimos víctimas de ellos también! Han intentado levantar denuncia sobre la filial mexicana a donde se hacen los depósitos de los cobros que nos hacen?
Mirna
January 22, 2021

In reply to by Leticia

Yo creo que en primera instancia habría que demandar pero a las compañías que no cuidan nuestros datos por que las personas que te contactan te envuelven por que tienen toda tu información: nombre, teléfono y hasta número de contrato
Just Bob
August 07, 2014
Trying to find out if Regency Consulting Group is a reputable company, they called me about selling my timeshare.
Feder
October 18, 2018
Otra compañia esta operando ahora incor de Kansas, Missouri, alguien la conoce? La misma historia
carrascaso
February 15, 2019

In reply to by Feder

A mi me están contactando esos mismos ahora, tu llegaste a algún punto con esta gente? Porque tienen respuesta para todo...
Napoleon
November 02, 2018
A mi me ofrecieron las perlas de la Virgen, muy interesante, algo no me está cuadrando, ojalá fuera cierto las promesas, prefiero desde el principio decir no.
timeshare owner
August 18, 2014
Watch out for offers to buy your timeshare from: Laura Borchers or Paul Kelleher They will send you a bad cashier's check (usually $2,900) and ask you to forward a part of the money ($2,400) to an agent Samuel Kaplan or Samuel Boas who is supposed to close the deal. You lose the money forwarded. Fortunately, I got onto the scam before sending any money.
José Juan
November 29, 2018
Por favor alguien puede decirme si realmente le pagaron A&A Holdings Inc. el dinero de la venta de un tiempo compartido? Porque primero hablan de la compañía Real Estate de Utah, gente mexicana por desgracia, enganchándote para que vendas tu membresía porque tienen compradores potenciales, después interviene la financiera A&A Holdings de Virginia y allí comienza la pesadilla, dinero y más dinero, cambios de contacto una y otra vez, yo llevo más de un año con mi caso, debo dinero y aparte vendí varias cosas por juntar lo que me pedían $$$ Por favor si hay mas personas que les ha pasado lo mismo ojala que podamos contactarnos para ver que se puede hacer porque están involucradas empresas en México y USA y el gobierno debe hacer algo esto no es otra cosa mas que robo y lavado de dinero.
patty
August 19, 2014
A company called Property connect offered to buy my unlimited vacation club membership for $21,000 just this week. They know too much about my contract. Someone inside unlimited is in on this and giving out member info for this scam. I received a contract and was told a wealthy Hong Kong business wanted the membership. I just would owe a 6% fee. They must be stopped. It's bad enough I bought the membership, now it has introduced more scanners into my life. Who needs this stress
maryvasquez28
November 30, 2015

In reply to by patty

I have an offered right now going on!! so it is a scam? they told me I had to pay 2700 for the cx fee from UVC!! some one please help me an tell me what is my best option!
SC
December 11, 2018

In reply to by José Juan

Yo tengo la misma situación, desde hace 1 año. Que podemos hacer?
Leticia
May 21, 2019

In reply to by José Juan

Hiciste la denuncia penal de la empresa mexicana a donde le hiciste los depósitos?
ERBI
October 10, 2019

In reply to by Leticia

Erbi Somos varios en Argentina que estamos en la misma situacion .las empresas que se comunican son Travel Right de Wisconsin Appelton y Equity CSG.nos hicieron fir.ar contratos y algunos hemos pagado más de lo que valen las semanas .en venta . Saben a donde debemos denunciarlos y ver si podemos recuperar algo del dinero pagado ? Pagamos todos los SAT que pedian ,depositabamos en BANORTE
Charlie
August 21, 2014
My husband & I were contacted by a company in Ok, Property Management,ML but after contacting the State of Ok we found out they are using this name but they are not a real company. Many complaint have been filled. They are also using another Company Ross Financials in TX, there is No such company in the state. Buyer Beware if it sounds too good it is a Fraud!
Jim
December 07, 2018
Me han estado llamando de Aoktreesecurities tambien con la misma historia de que me quieren comprar mi titulo de tiempo compartido alguien le a llamado esta compañia?