Like most things where lots of money is involved, there is a real possibility of getting scammed because you want to get out of your timeshare.
What we’re going to do here is to show you how to protect yourself from timeshare resale scams. This will include exposing some of the tactics these scammers use to trick you into giving your money to them.
Afterward, we’ll give you our recommendation for a timeshare exit company that is legit with an excellent rating on Trustpilot and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Plus, you won’t have to pay anything until after they transfer your timeshare.
How To Protect Yourself from Timeshare Resale Scammers
To protect yourself from timeshare resale scams, the most important thing to do is to be extremely cautious about unsolicited offers to sell or cancel your timeshare. Be even more suspicious of seemingly legitimate timeshare exit companies that require upfront fees before they can begin any work. Run away from anyone who approaches you unsolicited saying they have a buyer for your timeshare.
Here are some other red flags to alert you to the possibility that you’re being scammed:
- Being contacted out of the blue with an unsolicited offer to sell your timeshare
- Being asked to pay upfront fees for marketing or other services to get you out of your timeshare
- Being promised a specific sale price or buyer even though there’s no contract
- Being promised a “guaranteed” resale of your timeshare for a large upfront fee
How Can You Know a Timeshare Resale Company Is Legit?
Timeshare resale scammers know that timeshare owners tend to “outgrow” their timeshares. They know that either you aren’t using it with the frequency that you thought you might or that it’s too expensive to retain.
So don’t be surprised if you start receiving unsolicited phone calls or emails offering to help you sell or transfer your timeshare.
Many times scammers tell you that they have a buyer ready to buy your timeshare. The only thing you have to do is pay a fee for legal, administrative, or other services required to transfer your timeshare.
If you don’t remember anything, remember this:
No legitimate timeshare exit company will require you to give money upfront BEFORE proving they have a buyer.
And if you didn’t reach out to them, the likelihood of them having a buyer is zero.
The scammer might even give you a list of names and numbers to call to “prove” that they are not trying to scam you.
But think about this.
When you are asked to provide references for a job you’re applying for, you’re going to provide the names of people you know are going to paint you in a good light.
The scammers are doing the same thing.
The names and numbers they’re giving you are people that are part of the scam.
Instead of following up on the references the scammer provides, do your research on them with the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and other places that keep track of businesses and their practices.
You can also use this database to check to see if the company that is contacting you has been reported as a scam company.
How To Report Timeshare Resale Fraud
If you think you may have been the victim of timeshare resale fraud, it’s important that you report it to the authorities as soon as possible.
You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You might also want to report it to your state attorney general’s office or local consumer protection agency.
Legitimate Timeshare Exit Company
The company that we recommend is Timeshare Specialists.
Here’s why we recommend Timeshare Specialists if you need to get out of your timeshare:
- You won’t be charged until AFTER your transfer is done
- They only focus on timeshares. Large title companies do timeshare title transfers as an afterthought. Hence, Timeshare Specialists can keep their costs lower when transferring your title
- Timeshare Specialists will work with you to set the price you want to sell your timeshare for. Then they’ll handle everything involving the listing
If you’re ready to get out of your timeshare or you just want information on the various aspects of owning or selling a timeshare, fill out this form and someone from Timeshare Specialists will respond to you to answer your questions.