Be realistic about what you can get for your timeshare. American Resort Development Association (ARDA), , timeshare trade association - email customerservice@arda.com. For information regarding our accessibility policy, please review our Accessibility Policy. The Better Business Bureau can provide information if you need clarification on whether a company is legitimate. _______________________________________________________________________. Official websites use .gov Thats what consumer protection investigators uncovered after a two year investigation into a coordinated criminal telemarketing operation. These fraudsters can be persistent. You can report timeshare resale scams to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission as follows: Federal Bureau of Investigation Minneapolis Office 1501 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 (763) 569-8000 www.fbi.gov. 1) Directive 2008/122/EC on the protection of consumer in respect of certain aspects of timeshare, long-term holiday product, resale and exchange contracts was adopted by the EU in January 2009 . 2626 E Oakland Park Blvd. YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. 2021 Finn Law Group | Contact: 855-579- 0925 | Powered by: Acute SEO, Finn Law Group maintains this website exclusively for informational purposes. Transitions is here to help you navigate travel options and changes in your finances. Remember that, as our own Michael D. Finn shared some experience with creditcardguide.com. In short, timeshare resales are timeshares being sold by owners that no longer wish to use their vacation ownership. A Maryland woman told BBB years of previously undisclosed maintenance fees and better vacation options led her family to want to sell their timeshare. An official website of the United States government. Timeshare resale companies under investigation are under investigation for a reason so hang up the phone and dont become a victim! In a first of its kind investigation, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) discovered 10 timeshare exit companies in Missouri scamming . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With more than 4,000 resort choices in 1,300 destinations, it's one of the most popular timeshare services out there. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. Timeshare fraud is a growing problem in the industry, with many people falling victim to fraudulent timeshare resale companies. Whether you are considering purchasing a timeshare or are currently embroiled in a legal battle with your resort, it's crucial to have an experienced attorney. The following are tips to help you avoid being scammed: Not all timeshare exit companies are scams, but some use fraudulent practices to take advantage of timeshare owners. The Timeshare Resale Business [UNDER INVESTIGATION] Scott, the alleged ringleader was also charged with money laundering. Please upgrade your browser. We were given this picture of traveling the world in the easiest, cheapest way possible. - Ask about fees and timing. While you may think of fraud and theft as being perpetrated by ruthless criminals on the streets, many scams are actually carefully orchestrated schemes that take place behind closed doors, in dimly lit rooms and over an IP telephone. Donate to ROC. There are buyers on our site right now searching for timeshares just like yours. Unfortunately, these scams often take advantage of many timeshare owners who seek to rid themselves of their contracts and sell their properties. Thank YouYour form has been successfully submitted. When youve found a buyer, we can even connect you with a trusted closing company to help complete the legal paperwork in order to finalize your sale. Tired of paying maintenance fees for a timeshare you no longer use? As a condition of the new settlement, he agreed to pay $76,000 in restitution to consumers who were deceived by defendants in connection with the advertisement of the resale or rental of land. And, while they're easy to get intothese contracts are incredibly difficult to escape, according to a. Many owners will offer their timeshare on eBay for as little as a few dollars . There are so many resale companies out there, as well as lawyers or businesses that they will cancel your ownership. There are many factors that will influence the resale of your timeshare including location, resort quality, flexibility of usage, season, demand and, of course, price. The Many Ways to Be Relieved of Your Timeshare Obligations Payments must be protected. Scammers may use high or unexpected maintenance fees to take advantage of timeshare owners. The Timeshare Attorney has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you get what you deserve. Most of these contracts are not investments and may return considerably less than you paid. ", "When I decided to sell my timeshare, I had no idea about how to go about doing this and of course who to trust. 3.) Yes! . Feel free to contact us for a free consultation and to speak with an attorney. Many owners pay thousands of dollars to fraudulent timeshare resale companies. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. "During the high-pressure sales presentation, we were told amazing things about what this timeshare ownership would be. Timeshare Resale Fraud in Florida | TimeshareAttorney.com SellMyTimeshareNOW.com is an active timeshare resale marketplace and the best place to sell a timeshare. The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. They may also use fake testimonials and false promises of quick and easy sales to lure people in. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The fraudsters often use high-pressure sales tactics and false advertising to convince timeshare owners to pay for their services. Updated . It should include the services the reseller will perform; the fees, commissions, and other costs you must pay and when you must pay them; whether you can rent or sell the timeshare on your own at the same time the reseller is trying to sell your unit; the length or term of the contract to sell your timeshare; and who is responsible for documenting and closing the sale. Sell My Timeshare NOW can help you by advertising your timeshare on our dynamic website, and we can offer professional guidance through the whole resale process. The victimsmostly owners trying to sellwere scammed by criminals posing as representatives of timeshare resale companies or by actual employees of companies that were committing fraud. We recommend their assistance to timeshare resellers who want as little as possible to do with the process of finding a buyer and settling on a sale price. Timeshare Resales - 5 Surprising Truths About Timeshare Resale To receive more information about timeshare resale business and how to cancel a timeshare contract, send a WhatsApp to +52 332 510 7552, fill in the form in the contact section or call us at +1 714 277 3662. The FBI Criminal Investigative Division and the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would like to warn consumers of a recent increase in fraudulent schemes targeting owners of timeshare properties in Mexico. The Pinellas County Consumer Protection Unit responding to complaints from consumers, found that Chamera Bowman, Tammy Van Wie and Marvin Scott were running a land sales operation without a license and in violation of Florida state law. Justice Department files charges in alleged $90 million timeshare fraud If you need clarification on whether a company is legitimate, do your research and ensure that you understand the contracts terms and conditions before you sign anything. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. "The creditor doesn't care that you bought a timeshare," Rogers says. Typically, timeshare properties are located in resorts or condominiums in desirable vacation destinations. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Theres also a map on the home page that shows locations of timeshares in every continent except Antarctica. But some skilled sellers continue to talk buyers into unfavorable deals that often worsen when desperate investors try to offload purchases through the timeshare exit industry. If you suspect youve been scammed, file a complaint with your state attorney generals office and the IC3. Over the last 10 years, we have invested millions of dollars annually in developing SellMyTimeshareNOW.com and its affiliated websites. The rest of the year, others own the timeshare and use it as theyd like. Now, If this buyers waiting scheme sounds similar to a timeshare resale scam, thats because it is. must be licensed by the state under, Wis. Stat. View offers received, interact with customer care, request changes to your advertisement, and receive offers and discounts as a valued subscriber. Be wary of paying timeshare exit companie. With more than 4,000 resort choices in 1,300 destinations, its one of the most popular timeshare services out there. According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the $9.6 billion U.S. timeshare industry boasts over 1,570 resorts and 205,100 units. Information is available at: Department of Safety and . Any work done to the title is reviewed by a licensed attorney and is guaranteed to be precise. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. These companies included: International Timeshare Exchange/Network, Travel Buy Owner, CFL Ventures, A1 Marketing Unlimited, and Access Travel Network, Inc. If you need timeshare exit solutions, look no furtherlearn more about selling your timeshare and get started today. Newton Group. Regional consumer protection is a shared responsibility between many agencies, including state and federal regulators. Additionally, calling your developer is a great way to see if they have any in-house options or recommendations for legitimate timeshare resale companies. Later that year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted an onsite telemarketing inspection. If youve been targeted by a real estate or timeshare resale scam, there are several steps that you can take to protect yourself and potentially recoup money that may have been lost. "You borrowed money and didn't pay it back.". Timeshare scams are a growing concern in the industry. Timeshare Scams - 5 Most Common Scams | Finn Law Group A locked padlock Any information you provide using our consultation form may not be protected by the attorney-client privilege and could be subject to disclosure to third parties. Be aware of the fees associated with your timeshare and regularly review your billing statements to ensure that you only pay the fees to which you agreed. Many owners pay thousands of dollars to fraudulent timeshare resale companies. We would certainly use their services again. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Like OIEA onFacebookat facebook.com/secinvestoreducation. More than 1,100 BBB Scam Tracker reports reveal fraudsters have used the same high-pressure tactics common in timeshare sales to con consumers out of $3.5 million in the last three years. Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Be suspicious of any uninvited offers regarding your timeshare, particularly those that seem too good to be true.. emailStay Connected "The person on the phone confirmed that I was eligible for a refund, but that refunds were handled by another department. Colorado, Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General Vacation Smart International Referral to the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General ("OAG") for purposes of enforcing a subpoena under CGS 42-110k. Be aware that scammers may be located far away from where they pretend to operate. The Timeshare Attorney has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you get what you deserve. As part of your subscription, we will create a full-page advertisement for your timeshare. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. - Ask the salesperson for all information in writing. Another thing I commented on in 2012 was that Premium Timeshare Exchange was an advertising company. Will you get progress reports? Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20580 . The Federal Trade Commission has charged the operators of a timeshare reselling scheme with bilking at least $15 million dollars from timeshare property owners by imposing hefty up-front fees based on false promises that they would sell or rent their properties. What really happens when you file a timeshare resale complaint. The study - Unpacking timeshare and vacation club sales- examines patterns of customer complaints, dollars spent and lost, customer reviews, related scams and more to show how predatory companies and scammers take advantage of consumers hoping to score deals on travel. If you like the thrill of discovering new locales, you may get bored revisiting the same place year after year. These scams typically involve individuals alleging to be representatives of a brokerage firm, travel agency, title company, or escrow agent making unsolicited contact with owners of timeshare properties. In other cases, fraudsters file fraudulent documents with state or local officials and even register with their local Better Business Bureau using the false names from their fraudulent documents. Months and even years tick by with no sale in sight, however, as owners continue to pay annual maintenance fees. SACRAMENTO, Calif. Juan Carlos Montalbo, 59, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced today to two years in prison for a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a timeshare fraud in Mexico, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. To sell a timeshare, contact the resort directly and see if they have a resale or buyback program. Final Defendant Sentenced for Mexican Timeshare Resale Fraud Scheme Press Release.