Skip to main content

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.

Search Terms

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • 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.

Marilyn
May 03, 2021

In reply to by Rae

I have also been called by Mr. Charles A. Mack four time in April, 2021 and Mr Isreal Garcia. The second offer now is if I don't to sale then to enter into contract for the rental of 10 weeks of my membership for $71,000. I am very skeptical.
j---
April 12, 2021

In reply to by Pacane

They have also contacted me and I cannot find out anything about them. They are allegedly interested in buying a Moon Palace property in Mexico. I am going to be at Moon Palace in about a month and will ask about them. If they are legit, why not deal directly with Moon P?
Diane
June 11, 2021

In reply to by j---

I agree. Brokers Consolidated is pressuring me to send them a fee to register in Mexico. I told them I was not sending any money until they send my money. They are even pressuring me to get a loan to cover the Registration fee! I am a senior on a pension and wouldn't be able to pay it back. I am pretty sure it is a s
Njq
February 03, 2021
Has anyone heard of Elitetravel. Got an offer for timeshare. Wondering if this is a scam
Derek
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Njq

What is their website address. They may have contacted me too.
CCDS
February 18, 2021
I have been contacted by Skyscanner to buy my timeshare in Mexico. The contract they sent requires me to pay a fee to the resort that will be reimbursed later. The lawyer website in Denver has pictures of employees but no CV or background available. ?anyone else hear from them?
toton
March 02, 2021

In reply to by CCDS

Hello, by any chance you are able to share the details. Did you proceed further? And is the law firm legit because I have been contacted by same firm which fits your description? I have been approached by Great Value Vacations and this law firm(retained by Great Value Vacations) sent me contract with Skyscanner which was a mistake. They forgot to remove Skyscanner .
Rufus
February 24, 2021
Was contacted by 11 Broadway Real estate New York to rent weeks Has anyone had an experience with them?
jimg9453
March 04, 2021
I get on average 2-3 calls a day with offers to provide an evaluation of my Vidanta membership. If I decide to answer the call, I ask them to not waste my or their time until they provide identity proof. I request three copies of photo id's such as Drivers license, passport and brokers license. They all say "no problem" and I don't hear from them again or they ignore my request and still send me an evaluation way over what I paid. At that point I tell them that I can't in good conscience accept an offer that high and that their client can negotiate a much better deal directly with Vidanta.
RENO NY
March 07, 2021
SCAM LOL trevel inc using Jason Bruce Allen A San Franciso Calf lawyer, The y offer to buy your time share for more than its worth stated you dont pay anything oyer than a 5% ccommision .The catch is that they send you fake transfer agreement askinf 10% of sale price. The Lawyer will tell you he wont move on buy till payment is made. Iconfirmed scam by contacting my time share. No one had contacted them and they sent ne transfer requirments wich odes call for 10% prepaymen BUT based on membership fee not sell price. Also lawyer would not contact the other 2 time shares till I made payment for transfer.
AC
March 17, 2021
I have been contacted by a woman named Amanda Beard in December, who gave me a whole speel about the investor putting money in an account and they wanted to move forward. They signed a contract and she went over the contract with me line by line. It seems legit and then she asked me for like $5300 for a license that Mexico has to issue me that is only good for 45 days. That don't make sense to me. The deal seems legit though. I didn't go through with it but I was contacted by someone named William Clark from the same company saying the same thing. Anyone heard of Property Professionals USA Inc. stationed out of Aurora, Colorado?
MinniMouse
March 19, 2021
World wide properties contacted me. All seemed legit, until he sent me a form asking for my bank account number. I told him I was not willing to give the bank info as I am the seller and they can send me a check by currier. He assured me that he us here to help me and guide me through the process. I told him I would let him know. He has not called me back.
Dave Morrison
March 23, 2021
The latest company name calling Royal Sunset Resort customers is Real Solutions Investment Corporation.... out of Greenwood Village, CO. Very official documents and good websites. I went to the second stage with these guys and then they asked me to pay a Foreign Investment Registration fee of $4,320 that would be re-imbursed at escrow.... that was the tell all that it was a scam.
Jaxson1$
March 24, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by Maine Luxury Travel about timeshare purchases? In specific El Cid resorts
clbr
March 31, 2021

In reply to by Jaxson1$

I have just been contacted by them. Cannot find anything on line other than their website.
BRU
April 20, 2021

In reply to by Jaxson1$

I have just been contacted by them also. I don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling from them and their over enthusiastic offer. I was told there was no up front fee.
KEITH
April 07, 2021
Has anyone heard of Olympia REality llc out of Chicago?
Kmelton245
July 08, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by a company called travel pony they keep calling offering 29,000 for our timeshare told my husband it is not a scam name Allen Cortes and address is from mexico
jmueller
July 15, 2021
Does anyone know if KAYAK purchases timeshares? Have a relative who was contacted supposedly by KAYAK to purchase her timeshare in Puerta Vallarta. She has sent over $16,000 already and now they say she needs to send $19,000 more for taxes per the Mexican government. I think she is being scammed.
Kim
August 26, 2021

In reply to by jmueller

We have been contacted by them also! We have been scammed before and my husband told them ( loudly ) that we were not interested in being scammed again and to not contact us again.... well just called again and sent offer. Wish was a better way to see if legit or not, so not taking any chances!!!!
Lilly
September 21, 2021

In reply to by jmueller

We have been contacted as well. I contacted Kayak directly - they told me they do not buy timeshares. Definitely a scam
Tlw
July 20, 2021
Has anyone heard of Business Brokers International out of NY? Was contacted by them to buy 10 weeks.. sounds legit, website looks ok, but can’t find any other info and when I asked them for a written contract they say.. “that’s comes after we accept their offer” Sounds like a scam
John W.
August 20, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

I have been contacted by a Joel Cardillo from Business Brokers International out of NY. He has made me a amount of money for my time-share that is too good to be true. I have not signed or agreed to anything yet. Is this company legit? Anyone, please reply before I get scammed.
CL
September 08, 2021

In reply to by John W.

We also we contacted by Business Brokers International in New York. Haven’t signed anything and haven’t found anything online either. Except that another company comes up as Business Brokers International,LLC. Anyone have anything to confirm if legit or scam?
Lauraleeky
September 03, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

Contacted by them to want to buy our palace premier vacations. What is to open a back account in Mexico. They make everything look legit. Too good to be real.
juliemccoy
September 17, 2021

In reply to by Tlw

same here...told them I am a lawyer (which I am) and I want to see more information on their contract terms and then I would provide info if I was interested. Crickets....
Charles
July 30, 2021
I got a call from Naperville, il. Claiming they got my notice that I wished to sell my timeshare, asked me to please hold, I did not hold nor have we reached out to anyone. The number was our local area code but naperville il, on id. Clearly a scam!
melly3789
August 10, 2021
Has anyone worked with BKR Holdings out of Hamilton, New Jersey or Sunshine Business Management out of Colorado? They have a buyer for my timeshare?
mikey1018
August 21, 2021
I never mentioned a timeshare. This is our property in Fl that we vacation in a few times a year. Our primary residence is in NY I want to report this harassment. I have 20 different phone numbers and different people calling themselves private investors. IT'S NOT FOR SALE!!!!!
Lauraleeky
August 25, 2021
Has anyone heard of business brokers international out of new York.
pavila1954
August 31, 2021
Has any heard or done any business with Financial and management Corp of USA they want to buy my friends timeshare for $60,000.00 with a 6% commission upon closing
MJ
August 31, 2021
I received a call from Bill from Business Services. He gave me a business license number. Has anyone spoke to him or worked with that company? Seems it's the same thing as this thread...being offered money for a vacation membership that I have and the money from the buyer will sit in a Mexican bank before it is released to me. After reading this thread, I'm concerned.
CL
September 08, 2021
Anyone dealt with Century Title & Escrow out of St. Paul, MN ?
Crazy scams
September 13, 2021
Same story here. Be aware of Intercontinental Realty out of Chicago, IL.
Joeshmoe
September 13, 2021
Does anything know about business brokers int out of new york new york. They are trying to get me to sell my timeshare. I been in the market but dont see anything online about it? My contact name is Joe Leavy
Willk1129
December 07, 2021

In reply to by Joeshmoe

I too was recently approached by BBI. They claim that I don’t have to pay anything before I receive the agreed payout. I’m still checking BBB for any leads to confirm or deny their credibility.
juliemccoy
September 17, 2021
Anyone heard of Business Brokers International from NY?
steve
September 22, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

They have just contacted me regarding our Bliss membership in Cancun (Mayan Palace Group)
Working Guy
October 21, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

Have you figured anything out about BBI? They say they want to buy 10 weeks of vacation but want upfront money for international fees
Sue
December 16, 2021

In reply to by juliemccoy

Received a phone call from them Can't find anything about them mayb a scam?
Jose R
September 21, 2021
Have you heard of Destinations Travel Consultants? I was offered big bucks for my time share and I want to find out about it. Thanks
lofern
December 03, 2021
Has anyone been approached by Colorado Venture Consulting in Denver? They are offering a lot of money to my parents for their time share at the Moon Palace in Cancun. They seem to have a legit website but the broker who emailed us is not on their website. Thanks!
Jack
December 07, 2021
I got call from BBI for renting timeshare in Cancun. When I said I can sell the timeshare - then they also be ok - just send them my contract. Before this I checked Internet and found here valuable info. Now I would not deal with them.