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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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MexicanoII
April 17, 2020

In reply to by Mexicano

Yes same company contact us Alejandro Amaya Martinez Broker from Realty Assets Connect based on Oklahoma City , what was your experience with them?
Penny2020
March 04, 2020
Has anyone ever been contacted by James Greco from Capital Realty of Chicago? He is offering to sell 6 weeks of our timeshare in Cabo.
I have been an…
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Penny2020

But they want 4K upfront from me before I get my 16 k.
Vida owner 8/27
March 05, 2020
I am contacted at least once a week. This week it is Golden Midwest Group brokers LLC. Their offer is wonderful so wonderful in my opinion it can't possibly be real. They are not asking for any up front monies rather proof of ownership. I am afraid once I provide my contract number or grant access to Vidanta that they will somehow steal my ownership. How I do not know but with all the fraud the saying if it sounds too good to be true it likely is. Has anyone ever heard of Golden Midwest?
retiredgrandma…
March 09, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by Booking.com to buy your Unlimited vacation Company membership?
molly2017
March 10, 2020
We currently hold a Grand Entertainment Collection membership/contract with Vidanta. We purchased it at Nuevo Vallarta. We have been approached by Real Estate Connected LLC 1010 Pine 22nd Floor St. Louis, MO 63101 USA, to purchase the membership. I am wary of this and am asking if anyone has sold there Vidanta membership or know of this real estate company. David
cdubya
March 18, 2020
Anyone hear of "KURTZ & EPSTEIN FINANCIAL"?? They have been in communication with me about selling my timeshare. They offered close to $33k for it and now they're saying I'd have to pay $2250 in taxes/fees before they can secure a buyer.
Patricia P
March 27, 2020
Recently contacted by a company claiming to be working as a broker through Capital Investment Group Pitch sounded similar, will see what their appraisal and offer come back and if they as for any money up front and also will contact my resort directly if they are aware of such buy out offers.
Jesus
March 30, 2020
My dad just got scammed by a company called Twin Cities Power in NYC, has anybody taken any further legal resource against this type of scam and manage to recover some of the funds? I want to do it but seems like it would be really time and money consuming and maybe not able to recover any money.
Maria
April 02, 2020
Did anybody receive an offer from usa royal group international Is it legal.
David R
April 08, 2020
We were contacted by Your Premier Properties Real Estate Corp of New York city who asked if we wished to sell our Right-to-use contract with Vidanta (Celebrate Park Resort Hotel) in Mexico. After agreeing, and having sent them a description of our Vacation agreement, they offered us $57,250. They sent us an agreement to sign, which required us to pay a FIP permit amount t of $3400 plus a Vidanta transfer fee of $1448. We signed the agreement , noting that the real estate fee of 7% would be payable at time of closure. We paid the two amounts of $4848 and waited to be paid. The Broker Dennis Martin called us to say the Mexican bank had put a lien on the deal, wanting to be paid the IVA 16% tax of $9160. After talking to one of their previous clients who told us that they sold their property ok, we paid the tax by wire transfer and waited for the payout. But we were then told by Dennis that they added the real estate fee as a reimbursible to the total payout, so we had to now pay that up front. We objected, saying that this changed the agreement, but as we were stuck, we ended up payi g the $4004.50 commission by wire transfer. Now we waited again for the payout. Their was a delay, and then found out that we had to now pay a payment release fee of over $5000. What to do? We have no confidence of ever receiving the payout, but if we do not they want us to pay $4000 cancellation fee up front, before they send us our $18,000 back. YPP is the most unscrupulous firm we have ever dealt with,. Stay away from this firm, and I hope they get I investigated and shut down
Eric K
May 24, 2021

In reply to by David R

I just wanted to see if you had an update on this. We have been contacted by The Real Estate Purchase Company, LLC out of New York with a very similar story. I am definitely skeptical of their offer/requirements, etc. Thanks
JDG
July 20, 2021

In reply to by Eric K

Did you ever find out more about this company. We’ve been getting calls too%. Sound like too good of a deal.
Tom H
July 24, 2021

In reply to by Eric K

I have also been contacted by Real Estate Purchase Company LLC wanting to buy my Diamond Resorts points at more than double what I paid for them. Also sent me a Letter of Intent snd requesting verification of my point ownership so then start working with Diamond even though Diamond makes it clear they do not work with anyone to sell or transfer points to anyone who is not a member. They had no problem with me getting my attorney involved. Suspect a scam. Any updates. Any complaints against this company?
Curious123
December 14, 2021

In reply to by Tom H

We have also been contacted by these people to purchase our membership. Also very reluctant especially after speaking with legitimate sales people who buy and sell time shares. Did you ever find out if it was a scam?
Mark g
October 12, 2021

In reply to by Eric K

Same company trying to by my villa group membership. Is it a scam?
A S
December 15, 2021

In reply to by Eric K

Any update? Just got a phone call from this company. Didn’t even provide them with my email address though. Wanted to research before sharing any information with them.
Pete
April 09, 2020
Has anyone ever been contacted by National Brokerage Services in Columbus, Ohio or Paramax in Rochester, NY regarding bonus weeks buyers?
Deggle
April 11, 2020
Have anyone dealt with Adventures Portfolio Developers out of Arizona? Please let me know how your experience went. I have been dealing with them since March 2019 and they still haven't completed the transaction.
SLC
April 16, 2020
I have just been contacted and e-mailed by "Cleartripmexico" about selling our time share in PVJ/Cabo. They had the info on the owners name/ length of stay each year/ and size of condo. Has anyone also been contacted by them? The given website seems to be questionable.
Chauser
June 26, 2020

In reply to by SLC

What did you end up doing with Cleartrip? They just contacted me. I’m wondering if it’s legit.
Healthy Skeptic
June 29, 2020

In reply to by SLC

I have been contacted by them. I could not really find their website though, just one that LOOKS related, and is based out of India - there is no "cleartripmexico.com" site, even though that is their email site address, Plus the deal sounds too good to be true, so I have broken off communication now. If you have gone farther with the conversation, please lmk.
Scammed :(
April 20, 2020
I've been a victim of Empire City Brokerage since November 2019 (gullible, naive me). Should I just block all emails and phone calls at this point? I was once told I could go to court if I don't close the transaction. WHY in Heaven's name are these companies still open, if they are fraudulent? I already lost $25,000. It really hurts.
June
April 24, 2020
Got a call in late March about buying my Destino's timeshare, for which I paid $7,000 in 2018, for $23,000 - no money upfront, didn't ask for any personal information, said six weeks after I received a cashier's check from them I would then pay the $1500 commission. Had something similar happen to a friend - not a timeshare but something else - and cashier's check or not, eight weeks after it was deposited into his checking account it was revoked, indicating by the bank that the check was a scam and of course he had dozens of checks not being returned, had his checking account closed by the bank, and he has found it almost impossible to re-establish his credit based on bounced checks that he could not at that point cover. Anyone heard of Realty Link LLC out of Chicago? They seem to check out on the internet. Also Escrow Corp out of Philadelphia? Everyone I have spoken with has latin accents...
Guesswho
April 27, 2020
Be on the lookout for Property Owl Inc in Flushing, NY offering a too-good to be true price for your timeshare. Once you sign the contract, fees after fees will follow. Even after promissory notes are given that such fees will be reimbursed at closing, fees will be imposed by the SAT office in Mexico. This company uses American Corporation of Finance located at 456 W Main St, Rochester, NY, but upon checking with the management for that building, such business does not exist exist at that address. Stay away from these two businesses!
Don’t be scammed
April 27, 2020
Don’t be fooled by unsolicited calls trying to sell your timeshare! No matter how good the offer sounds, don’t fall for it. Once you are committed, you will be sorry. Fees followed by fees will follow. Even if the broker promised reimbursement, you will never reach that point because the transaction will never close. The fees are imposed by the SAT, the IRS equivalent of Mexico, thereby freeing the US broker Of their commitment for reimbursement. There are companies preying on timeshare owners. Take my advice, stay away, or else you’d be sorry!
Quarantine2020
May 07, 2020
Has anybody heard of Realty Link Ltd located at 10 S Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603 I have read through the comments and their name did not come up, but it is the same SOP were they offer you a very substantial amount. I rejected the offer, then they came back with $20,000 more. I spoke to one of their "brokers" C Freund twice. He promised that I will not pay any fees. Only 5% commission will be taken out at close of escrow. Escrow will be with Escrow Corporation located at 1500 Market street Center Square East, 10th floor. Philadelphia, PA 19102. Both Real Estate and Escrow Company website look legit. I reached out to my time share in Mexico. They adviced not to negotiate with third party companies since it could be fraud. My time share with Palace Premier is the only one that authorizes transfer of membership, It is too bad that is a scam, especially at this time of pandemic, were liquidating for more cash flow is necessary.
AlanG
November 13, 2020

In reply to by Quarantine2020

I have been contacted by these people also. Anything new that you have found out.
Been scammed!
May 09, 2020
If it sounds too good to be true don’t fall for the scam. We learned our lesson, we were scammed for $15,000.00 Canadian this was back in early 2018. With a company that had all the right answers to our questions and we really believed them on what they were saying. It should have been a red flag when they wanted us to wire the money to a Mexican bank so they could pay what was still owing on our timeshare. Apparently they had lawyers looking after all the legal papers. Once we wired the money phones were disconnected, website shut down no way of tracing the money. Please don’t fall for what they are saying. My husband is a very smart person and he got taken . Everything just sounded too good to be true and we fell for it, and we are now out $15,000 of our retirement money please don’t let it happen to you.
Timeshare scam
May 11, 2020
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it is definitely a scam. Check credentials of businesses/broker licenses/location address of such businesses if they exist. Do not sign any contract and run.
JM Texas
May 15, 2020
Has anyone heard of or dealt with a company from Oklahoma by the name of Travel Marketing Associates? Claiming to have a buyer ready to purchase a Grand Mayan Timeshare.
Gabby
June 28, 2020

In reply to by JM Texas

I have been contacted by Travel Marketing Associates, Inc (Mark Allen, Senior Broker) several times in the past few months. They want all the details of my timeshare in Riviera Maya so they can make me an offer to purchase it. I've had at probably 10 companies by different names contact me over the past 10 years we have owned the timeshare...usually offering a ridiculous amount considering what we paid for it, but I've always been too scared to move forward with them because I fear they are all scams.
Concerned Time…
May 26, 2020
I have recently been approached via a phone call from Realty Link LTD to purchase my timeshare. I searched and could not find anything bad about them at all. They seem legit online, but I know that can be deceiving. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Skeptic
June 25, 2020

In reply to by Concerned Time…

I had a call from them as well and a document that said they have a buyer for my Unlimited Vacations Membership. They said they have a buyer willing to pay more than twice what I paid for the membership. Sounds highly suspicious to me. Why would someone do that if they could just go buy the same thing for what I paid? I tend to think it's a scam.
Nmendez
July 12, 2020

In reply to by Skeptic

hello, did you ended up finding out more? did you go through the sale?
Nmendez
July 09, 2020

In reply to by Concerned Time…

Hello, Did you ever heard back if this was a legit company? They have reached out to me as well.
bags20
July 09, 2020

In reply to by Concerned Time…

I also recently received an offer from Realty Link LTD to purchase my vacation membership and seems too good to be true, but also seems legit. @Concerned Times did you proceed with Realty Link or have any more experience with them?
Very skeptical
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Concerned Time…

I have been called by Robert Fleming of Realty Link out of Chicago. 312.883.5683. Something is smelling fishy. Says they put the money in my bank and then I pay the 5% commission. Problem, I see with that, is that they now have my bank account number. I think I will stay far, far away
AmyM
May 28, 2020
Has anyone received an offer from AIR GORILLA?
Emily
June 03, 2020

In reply to by AmyM

Yesterday (06/02/20) I got call and email from AIR GORILLA with great offer for my UVC membership. They know all info which is on my contract. I asked them where from they got my info, the answer was 'From RCI'. After everything I read on this post, I am not sure I will go with them.
Lgmarket
June 03, 2020

In reply to by AmyM

We were just contacted by air gorilla today offering to buy our vacation club membership. I don’t trust anyone though!
Rye
June 05, 2020

In reply to by Lgmarket

We were just contacted by Air Gorilla on June 5,2020, offering to buy our vacation club membership in Cabo.
Ciro
July 09, 2020

In reply to by AmyM

I got email from Airgorilla offering us $62.000 for our Vidanta contract. Is this true? Someone have sold their propierty before with sucess?
ScamPrevention
July 23, 2020

In reply to by Ciro

what is the email address? i was contacted to sell a trial membership i havent had for about 8 years now. i led them on but never got their email. they had an answer for everything. Im trying to get more info on the "lawfirm" that will eventually be involved. it is difficult but they can be taken down.
RobbieM
May 29, 2020
I entered into a contract in Mexico to sell 1) a timeshare and 2) real property. They made a fair offer, but insisted I put up $7,450 , to be put into an Escrow account. A buy/sell agreement was executed and I put the $7450 on a credit card. An Escrow Officer contacted me from a branch of Fidelity Tile. The Seller keeps asking for more money , stating the Mexican Government has initiated new fees, and now a Capital Gains Tax. I want this transaction to be real. How can I verify all of this?
Real scam
June 30, 2020

In reply to by RobbieM

The scammers are out to get your money. Fee after fee will follow. Get out while you can, you will save yourself a lot of money and headache. Share your experience with others to make people aware!