Post Tagged with: "timeshare presentation scam"

How To Spot a Timeshare Scam

March 6, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Would you like to know how you can spot a timeshare scam to protect yourself? Do you want to learn more about timeshares and vacation ownership opportunities, but want to take care to avoid getting scammed? Read below to learn how you can tell the difference between a reputable timeshare provider and a fraudulent scammer.

  • No Reputation?

One of the biggest signs of a probable timeshare scam is if the company does not have a reputation at all. It goes without saying that a good reputation is very important when it comes to determining a safe choice from a bad decisions. So if you come across a timeshare provider that has no reputation at all or you are approached by a vacation ownership or timeshare company that you can’t find any information on, tread very carefully. As the majority of fraudsters and scammers regularly change their name to avoid getting caught by the authorities and to confuse their next victim, make sure to do your research on a timeshare provider that you want to buy from. If you find they have no reputation at all, you should be extra suspicious as it is probable you are at risk for becoming a timeshare scam victim.

  • Are They Part Of A Timeshare Network?

Another suggestion on how to spot a timeshare scam is to ask if they are affiliated with or part of a timeshare group or network with resorts in various locations. The vast majority of reputable timeshare companies today are part of a partnership with other resorts throughout Mexico, so if you find yourself in dealing with a resort provider that has no affiliation, it is something to question. Most timeshare companies today are part of a network as individuals that invest in vacation ownership memberships today have demanded increased variety and flexibility that comes with access to additional resorts. Today, most reputable providers are part of a network so their members have the ability to visit various properties as opposed to be limited to just one location. If you come across a vacation ownership opportunity where they are not part of a network, it is a warning sign that they may be a timeshare scammer.

  • Sales Reps Cannot Produce Valid Identification

The sales representatives that promote timeshares or vacation ownership investments also give big clues about the validity of the provider. If a sales representative or promoter is unable to provide proper identification that they work for a particular resort, that is a huge red flag. All sales reps that work for genuine providers should be able to produce proper identification that associates them with the specific timeshare provider they are promoting. Another consideration is to think about where did you meet the sales representative? Scammers are usually found at random locations throughout town as they are not allowed to legally work inside the airport or shopping centers. To help protect yourself from becoming a timeshare scam victim, always ask to see ID before you agree to attending a presentation. By doing so, you can avoid wasting your time with a potential fraudster.

  • Off-Site Interaction: Red Flag!

Another common trend that timeshare scammers practice is that they take potential victims to a specific resort, but then ask them to sign paperwork off site at another location. If a sales rep piques your interest about one resort, but then takes you for a tour of another, that is something else to be aware of. Any sales rep that gives a sales presentation that covers the membership plans, amenities, facilities of one resort, but then quickly takes you to another location to talk further, be very wary. Any sales rep who conduct a timeshare presentation off site is likely a scammer so be very careful.

  • Trust Your Instincts

Lastly, another simple way to avoid becoming a timeshare scam victim is to trust your gut if you have a bad feeling about the sales rep or any of your conversations. If you just have a wary feeling or have caught the sales rep in lies, you are probably dealing with a scammer. Legitimate timeshare sales reps for genuine resort providers are honest and not allowed to misconstrue any information about vacation ownership membership. If you feel your rep is not trustworthy or if something just feels wrong, listen to your gut and trust your instincts.

Vacation ownership memberships with genuine resort providers are an excellent investment for you and your family. Just make sure you follow these tips on how to spot a timeshare scam, and you can keep yourself safe.

Recommended article: Should I beware Villa Group Scams?

Timeshare Consultants – Beware of Fake Companies!

June 19, 2018 at 10:15 am

There are numerous legitimate choices of timeshare companies in Mexico if you want to become a timeshare owner. There are many happy timeshare owners that have had no problems with their timeshare purchase, and they are thrilled that they can enjoy luxurious vacations at many different beautiful resorts in Mexico. However, there are a handful of fake companies and scammers who try to take advantage of innocent timeshare owners and they will say and do anything to make timeshare owners believe that they are a legitimate consulting timeshare company. You can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Be alert and cautious of timeshare consultants. Beware of fake companies. Read below how you can be safe and enjoy your timeshare investment.

Timeshare Consultants

Timeshare Consultants and Timeshare Scams

The majority of all of the timeshare scams in the past related to fake timeshare companies that were selling timeshares that never existed. Today, timeshare scammers are taking a new approach to scam innocent people of their money. The scammers are now targeting timeshare owners by offering to help cancel or resell their timeshare. The timeshare consultants and timeshare scams are even offering timeshare owners an upgraded timeshare through their company. The timeshare consultants will tell timeshare owners that they already have an interested buyer to purchase their old timeshare so you can upgrade to a new, improved timeshare. The warning sign that you are dealing with a scammer is when the timeshare consultant requires you to pay an upfront fee so they can start the process for you. Beware of fake timeshare consultant and timeshare scams so you and your timeshare will be protected.

Timeshare Consultants – Beware of Fake Companies!

Beware of fake companies and timeshare consultants. There was an advisory warning that was recently released by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), which revealed that some timeshare scammers and consultants have inaccurately claimed to work with their association. In particular, there is one scammer company operating under the name of “Resort Consulting Advocates”. The advisory warning claims that several timeshare owners have already been scammed by “Resort Consulting Advocates” when they were that interested buyers wanted to purchase their timeshare membership. These fake timeshare consultants even created a fake sales contract and they included in the sales contract a “100% Satisfaction Guarantee” to appear genuine. The fake scammers did in fact not have a buyer, and they charged the timeshare owner victims an upfront fee, then they suddenly disappeared.

Beware of Fraudulent Resellers

Timeshare owners should beware of fraudulent resellers like “Resort Consulting Advocates”. Unfortunately, this is only one of many fraudulent resellers and timeshare scamming companies out there pretending to be a genuine company so that innocent timeshare owners will trust them and use their services. These type of companies will change their company name often to avoid any prosecution by the authorities. Timeshare owners don’t really know who they are working with, and they become a victim of their timeshare scams inadvertently. Timeshare owners should beware of fraudulent resellers, cancellation companies, and rental companies. These are the type of companies that are wanting to scam timeshare owners and they should be avoided completely. One way to protect yourself and your timeshare investment is to avoid the fraudulent companies by only communicating with the timeshare company where you have purchased your timeshare membership from. There will be a trained staff member ready to assist you with any concerns or complaints you may have. You should never talk to a third party company who is just trying to scam you.

Help! I Believe I’ve Been Scammed

If a timeshare scammer has contacted you or you have paid an upfront fee to a scamming company, then you need to contact the timeshare company where you purchased your timeshare from and let them know what happened to you. When you do this you are actually helping genuine timeshare companies to warn their timeshare members so they will not be scammed, too. The local authorities, state attorney general, and the Better Business Bureau should be contacted so you can file a formal complaint. If you want to prevent other timeshare owners from being scammed, then you should file a complaint.

An Upfront Fee Should Not Be Paid

If you are asked to pay an upfront fee from a third party company, then you are likely going to be scammed. Any company that offers timeshare assistance services should be researched thoroughly, because sadly, these type of companies are mostly scammers that are looking to take your money from you. If you are unsure, you should contact the timeshare company that you purchased your timeshare from as all third party companies are probably trying to scam you.

You can protect yourself, your timeshare membership, and your money when you avoid all timeshare scamming companies. Beware of timeshare consultants and beware of fake companies so you are not scammed!

Puerto Vallarta Timeshare Presentations Scams

August 24, 2015 at 11:44 am

Mexico has, sadly, has received a lot of unfounded negative attention when it comes to timeshare presentation scams, and this is largely due to a spate of scams that occurred during the 80s and 90s. These scams, of course, did a lot of damage to Mexico´s reputation as a safe place to invest in timeshares. What the media, and many others, however fail to understand is that these scams resulted in a tightening of security that means that, these days, Mexico (and, in particular, Puerto Vallarta) is one of the safest places in the world when it comes to timeshare investment.

Puerto Vallarta Timeshare Presentations Scams

When people ask the question are there timeshare scams in Puerto Vallarta? the simplest answer is no because timeshare companies are highly regulated in the area, including Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit on Banderas Bay. There will always be criminals and con artists on the job in all parts of the world, but you are more thoroughly protected from these people in Puerto Vallarta than you are in many other places.

Puerto Vallarta timeshare scam review

These days a timeshare rep in Puerto Vallarta must have official permission (indicated by the identification they are issued) to approach people in the street and in public spaces to promote their companies timeshares. So if you are approached by a promoter that you have suspicions about you can look for their ID (it should be visible) or ask to see it if its not clearly visible. If they cannot produce it then don’t entertain them any further; move on and report them to the authorities.

Despite the bad reputation timeshare companies in Puerto Vallarta seem to attract, the services offered can actually be a gift to tourists and help maintain the levels of visitors to a destination throughout the year rather than just during the high season. Timeshare reps in Puerto Vallarta will be very knowledgeable about the area they work in so if you are lost, or want some advice, just ask them to help you! Furthermore most legitimate timeshare companies will offer genuine, no strings gifts to people who attend their presentations. This means for one or two hours of your time, with no purchase expected, you could get a discount on taxis, activities or attractions.

In Puerto Vallarta you are as protected from fraudsters as its possible to be. So why not relax and consider a presentation – even if it’s just for the restaurant vouchers?

Vacation Rentals Concierge