Post Tagged with: "timeshare scam"

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!

Vacations to Mexico and Avoid Scams

May 8, 2018 at 2:29 pm

Mexico is one of the most popular and beloved vacation destinations in the world for snowbirds, holiday makers, travelers, and attracts droves of expats each year. This worldwide popularity, and the very things which make it so popular, are unfortunately one of the main reasons that scams related to Mexican vacations are so prevalent.

Here’s what you need to know about scams surrounding the tourist industry in Mexico:

Vacations to Mexico and Avoid Scams

Airport transfer scams
Airport transfer/transport scams can be sidestepped fairly easily!

If you book in advance, and it is wise to do so, print your confirmation email (or keep it on a fully charged tablet or phone) and check all details against the reservation list of anyone who approaches you. Check their ID, too, and do so before you enter their vehicle! If you don’t take these preventative measures you could end up paying a secondary fee when you arrive to your hotel and find out you have been scammed!

Rental Scams Affecting Vacations to Mexico
Rental scams work both ways; those who claim a finders fee for third party renters who do not exist, and those who fraudulently hire out accommodation which, for whatever reason, is unavailable, unsuitable or not legally theirs to rent out. If you want to avoid these scams simply use a reputable rental agency that vets their renters and consumers. Check reviews online and do your research before you hand over any money to rent out a vacation property unseen.

Timeshare scams
Timeshare scams used to be the main concern in Mexico, but these days they are a dying breed. This is due to the Mexican government cracking down on timeshare scammers and, of course, a more informed and savvy consumer base. However, there are still opportunists out there and the main scams now are cancellation scams which prey on those who already own timeshares. If you want to avoid these scammers the rule is simple; ignore any and all cancellation companies. These fraudulent cancellation companies are offering you something they cannot provide out during the legal cooling period, and if you are within the cooling period you do not require their help to cancel your timeshare. Go directly to your timeshare provider for further assistance and do not involve third parties that are likely only trying to scam you.

Credit Card Scams
Credit card scams can affect you online as well as in the “real world”.

Be wary of paying for your flights or accommodation through an insecure portal or website; this puts your personal financial details at risk! Likewise, be careful who you give your details to when paying for tours and attraction tickets. Most establishments will have wireless card terminals now. Furthermore, ensure that you always know exactly where your cards are, and make sure that they’re in a secure location!

These tips will help you enjoy your time in Mexico worry free, and not waste your energy dealing with scams and frauds that could ruin your well deserved vacation.

See more: Favorite Timeshare Destinations in Mexico

 

Timeshare Fraud – Beware Refund and Recovery Scams

March 13, 2018 at 11:37 am

Timeshare frauds and all timeshare related fraud scams are becoming more creative. People are having a hard time believing that anyone would go to so much effort to lie so easily and convincingly. We must all agree that any time money is at stake, scammers go that extra mile to make sure that they are being portrayed with an image that is ‘foolproof’. Want to know more about how to avoid timeshare frauds and recovery scams? Here is how they do it:

timeshare fraud

Targeted People on Sucker Lists

People that have been scammed in the past are precisely the ideal candidates the scammers target. As shocking as this may sound, refund and recovery scams target people on the ‘sucker list’. The sucker list is used in timeshare fraud as well as refund and recovery scams. The list provides the names, phone numbers, and addresses of people who are most likely to fall for a scam, because these individuals have already been scammed on promotions and contests that are ‘too good to be true’ in the past. An example includes if you have entered a raffle for a large sum of money or to win a car, then you are probably on that list. These lists are sold to scammers and timeshare fraudsters who want to target these people again, tageting them from timeshare refund and recovery scams.

Have you been scammed or been involved in a timeshare fraud?

Have you been scammed? You may not even know that you have been scammed in the past, but if you have ever entered a contest that was fake, gave money for a fake charity and cause, or invested into a company that didn’t exist, then you have most probably been scammed in some way. The reason that you may not have realized you have been scammed in the past is the money that you gave was a small sum, so when you are never contacted again, you forget about it. You may get targeted just by chance when it comes to timeshare refund and recovery scams. Perhaps, you have been on the internet searching for timeshare cancellations or looking to sell your timeshare; all you have to do is enter your information innocently, or join a forum and the scammers know that you are open and ready to be scammed; they see the angle already.

Paying Money in Advance for Timeshare Refund and Recovery Scams

Since you have already been scammed in the past, the scammers will begin calling you to promise you that they can recover any money that you may have lost or to provide the merchandise that you never got. The timeshare fraud or recovery scam comes when they ask you to pay money in advance for these type of services. Did you know that it is against the law to charge a fee in advance if you are in the United States? Any telemarketing company that does this to you is breaking the law. You cannot be asked for any advance payment for any service or merchandise upfront.

Advice for Protecting Yourself from Timeshare Refunds and Recovery Scams

The advice that we can give you today for timeshare fraud and refund and recovery scams is to simply avoid this type of service that is being offered to you, because it is more than likely a scam. In the past if you have purchased a timeshare with a top timeshare brand, then you should avoid any company that claims that they can recover any money for you or provide you with a timeshare refund. They cannot do it for you! If you feel you are entitled to a refund or cancellation, then you should contact the timeshare provider directly.

Timeshare: How to Tell When You’re Being Scammed

October 3, 2017 at 11:00 am

We are excited to share the expertise of our guest blogger, Alexander B. from the Timeshareadvocates Blog who has been writing about timeshare scams and the timeshare industry as a whole for more than four years. This week’s article is dedicated to helping you how to tell when you’re being scammed in timeshare.

How to Tell When You’re Being Scammed in Timeshare

How to Tell When You’re Being Scammed in Timeshare

Prevention is better than cure, as the adage says. In any transaction, knowing how to prevent being cheated is way better than to know how to repair what has been damaged after you become a victim. Know when to tell when a timeshare company is real or when you are being scammed. Read on …

How to Tell When You’re Being Scammed in timeshare

Considering the following signs will help you tell if you are being lured into a scam. The following are the key features to look for to distinguish a genuine timeshare from that which is most likely just a scam.

1. Truthfulness

Rate the timeshare company’s honesty when it comes to its dealing with you. When you experience some irregularities or even some “white” lies, then you know there is a question with the company’s honesty. Examples of these include being told you will spend half a day at the timeshare presentation but you spend a whole day there; being sent to a different resort than the one presented by the first agent who invited you to the presentation; being promised an incentive, discount or gift, but nothing was delivered, or you have to pay for it; being promised a nice breakfast but you were only offered a coffee or a juice. The details add up and dishonesty about the small things can be a sign of a scam.

2. Visibility on the internet

Another great way to find out if the timeshare company is a scam is to try searching for it on the net. When no information is provided – even negative ones like complaints – then that should be a warning signal. Fly-by-night timeshare companies with untraceable histories are usually scams. Timeshare and vacation club providers with solid reputations are those already in the business for more than 10 years. Attend only the presentation from these companies.

3. Connections

A good sign to look for when discerning if a company is a scam is to check which international vacation exchange networks it has affiliations with. Scam timeshare companies will have no connections with reputable international exchange networks. Only reputable and well-established vacation clubs and timeshares work with reliable networks like RCI and the Interval International. You may want to check if your timeshare company is duly recognized by one of these affiliations before making your purchase.

4. Permission

Ask to see the timeshare company’s licenses and other authorizations from local officials. Although it might be hard to accomplish when you are in a vacation, a good clue will be finding agents from the said timeshare company working in airports or in the shopping malls. You may also ask for the official ID and the permit to work on the streets from the agent. Scam timeshare companies will not be able to provide you with permits.

Can you visit the resort?

Never make any purchase when all you have are models, architectural presentations, or photographs. Only trust advertising models when the timeshare company is a well-known brand or you are staying in a current sister resort. Make sure you are given the privilege to visit the resort where you are buying a timeshare. The most common timeshare scams involve selling fake timeshares that do not exist, sometimes under the guise of pre-sale.

Follow your hunches

Not everyone’s gut feeling is right, but when there is a certain negative hunch, you usually are right. That inner warning is the first red sign to consider and should encourage you to look for other warning signs.

10 Obvious Signs it’s a Timeshare Scam

April 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Contrary to popular belief, you still can find a lot of timeshare companies that are very honest in their dealings with customers and are very affordable places to stay without sacrificing quality. A quality timeshare company will offer a great vacation membership with lots of benefits for members. But beware, even though most official timeshare companies are not scams, you can still be involved in timeshare scams through other dealings. The following list provides 10 obvious signs that you are about to be involved in a timeshare scam. Here are some things you should look for if you are planning to buy a timeshare to avoid a scam.

1. You don’t have a timeshare contract

Alarm bells should start ringing if you are not given a copy of your timeshare contract. If you have transferred money to get a timeshare but have not signed a contract, then you may be at high risk for a timeshare scam—especially if you made the payment in cash. Always insist on taking your timeshare contract with you.

2. Timeshare resale scams

You are at particular risk of a timeshare scam if you are considering purchasing a timeshare that is being resold online. Not all timeshare resales are scams but you may want to take more caution before pursuing the deal.

3. You are sold a different timeshare than the one you thought

This scam involves showing you a remarkable timeshare resort but actually selling you a timeshare somewhere else. When you see this happening, you already know it’s the sign of a timeshare scam so make sure you check that the name of the resort(s) on your contract match where you think you are buying.

4. Buying timeshares off-site

This timeshare scam is related to the aforementioned scam. Sometimes an unethical timeshare sales agent will try to keep in contact with you after you have decided that you don’t want to purchase a timeshare. Later, you are contacted by your agent with an offer that is a lot cheaper than what was offered in person and you find yourself purchasing a timeshare at a lesser resort, or worse still a bogus timeshare membership.

5. Taxis taking you to a Different Resort

If you connect with a timeshare representative of a specific hotel or resort that takes you to a different hotel or resort chain for the timeshare presentation, then you are probably in the middle of a timeshare scam. Ask to be returned to the first hotel or resort you were shown. Sometimes taxi drivers are involved in this kind of timeshare scam.

6. Paying for your timeshare gifts

If a timeshare company charges you for your timeshare gifts, even if you stay at the presentation the entire required time, then you are probably involved in a timeshare scam. Most legitimate companies will not charge you for the gifts they promised to offer if you meet the minimum requirement for receiving it (this doesn’t include paying for discounted gifts). Legitimate timeshare companies will honor their offers even if you decide not to buy a timeshare.

7. Timeshare Cancellation Companies

The biggest threat of timeshare scams these days comes from timeshare cancellation companies. When a timeshare lawyer or cancellation company offers to carry out a timeshare cancellation on your behalf after the cooling off period, you are most likely heading into a timeshare scam.

8. Exchanging your old timeshare

Beware any timeshare company that tells you they can transfer your current timeshare ownership from another timeshare company or that they will buy it from you. The only time that this might be possible is when upgrading within the same timeshare company and the honor any equity that you have. The most common timeshare scam is when clients believe that the new timeshare company is going to purchase their old timeshare or sell it for them.

9. Being charged fees for rentals and timeshare sales

It’s always a warning sign when a company says they charge upfront fees for you to have the option to rent or sell your timeshare. Research this company to see if their business track record is reputable. If not, you best bet is to try a company that charges commission fees for the rent or sale of your property.

10. Cold callers to purchase or rent your timeshare

If you ever get a call from a timeshare company trying to persuade you to sell your timeshare, most likely this is a timeshare scam in the making —especially if the call came out of the blue.

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