What Timeshare Owners Need to Know About Timeshare Scams

Timeshare Scams: A Growing Threat

Imagine this: you're nearing retirement, looking to downsize or simplify your life and there's a timeshare property you've owned for years. Out of the blue, you receive a call from a seemingly professional company promising to help you sell your timeshare for a tempting price. The call may even seem to be from a reputable company that you are familiar with. After payments are made, the company becomes unreachable, leaving owners financially compromised and without a buyer. This scenario is becoming increasingly common as timeshare scams rise across the country, with more than 6,000 victims reporting more than $300 million in losses to the FBI over the last 5 years. 

Why Older Americans Are at Risk

Older Americans are the group most relentlessly targeted by these scams. Picture a retired couple looking to adjust their financial assets for added peace and security in their later years. Scammers prey on these hopes, presenting themselves with polished professionalism and even apparent empathy. They use convincing and legitimate-seeming imitations of email addresses and forge documents to mimic genuine offers, leveraging the trust of older individuals. The goal is to coax potential victims into making quick decisions driven by the fear of missing out on a beneficial deal, tapping into their savings with devastating impact.

How Timeshare Fraud Scams Work

The concept of timeshare scams is easier to understand if you can paint a mental picture of the scenario: envision that you've decided it's time to let go of your timeshare, hoping to free up some resources for other plans or simply added financial security. You're approached by a company or individual through a seemingly professional email or call, offering assistance in selling or renting out your timeshare. The caller is articulate and knowledgeable and may even have specific details about your timeshare, so they seem invested in making a deal. So far, except that they contacted you and not the other way around, you see no reason to be suspicious.

They promise a hassle-free process and a great deal, which sounds perfect. But after getting you to believe that the deal is guaranteed and raising your emotional investment in the deal, they reveal one roadblock: they require an upfront fee to cover various expenses like marketing, legal fees or other administrative costs. Motivated by the desire to conclude the deal, you agree, only to find that once the payment is made, the communication trails off and the facade of legitimacy goes up in smoke.

Phases of a Timeshare Scam

The scam typically unfolds in three meticulously crafted phases, each designed to further exploit victims:

1. Initial Contact and Fake Offers: The scam begins with the fraudsters contacting potential victims, presenting themselves as brokers or agents ready to help sell or rent the timeshare. They create a sense of urgency and opportunity, suggesting that the market is hot or that they have immediate buyers waiting. Victims are then persuaded to pay upfront fees for various services like listing, marketing or legal paperwork. After getting money from you, the scammers cut off communication.
2. Follow-up Scam with Fake Legal Aid: Fraudsters again contact the victims, but this time posing as legal professionals or recovery agents. They claim they can help recover the losses from the initial scam, requiring payment for legal fees or court costs. This phase preys on the victim's desperation to recover the funds lost in the initial scam.
3. Government Impersonation and Threats: In the final phase, scammers contact the victims posing as government officials or law enforcement. They may claim that the victim’s earlier payments have been flagged as suspicious, linking them to criminal activities and that payments are required to clear their name or avoid legal consequences. This phase leverages fear and the authority of purported official entities to coerce victims into paying more.

Impersonation

Impersonation plays a large role in timeshare scams. Scammers often pose as lawyers, real estate agents or even government officials to add a layer of credibility to their cons. They exploit the trust that victims place in these professional roles, using fake identities and email addresses that are convincing copies of legitimate businesses and organizations to create compelling narratives that their interventions are necessary and urgent. For example, a scammer might call claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury Department, warning the victim that their previous payments have been flagged as suspicious and that immediate action is required to avoid legal repercussions.

Spotting the Warning Signs of Timeshare Scams

The subtlety of timeshare scams makes them particularly dangerous, but there are red flags that can help identify these fraud schemes. Unsolicited calls or emails from strangers claiming to have buyers ready (the first phase of the scam) or offering unsolicited legal help (the second phase) are classic signs. High-pressure tactics urging quick decisions, requests for upfront payments and the use of wire transfers for payments should make you very suspicious. Additionally, any communication that involves threats of legal action if fees are not paid immediately is almost certainly a scam.

What to Do If You Think You've Been Targeted

If you suspect you've been a victim of a timeshare scam, here are some immediate steps that you can take:

• Stop All Communication: Cease any further communication with the scammer.
• Alert Your Financial Institutions: Contact Ideal Credit Union, as well as any other financial institutions and credit card companies you have accounts with to inform them of the potential breach.
• Change Your Passwords: Update passwords for all your online accounts, especially those related to financial and personal data – just in case.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial statements for any unauthorized transactions.
• Report the Scam: Notify the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local law enforcement, to help them track and prevent future scams​.

Ideal Credit Union's Commitment to Member Security

Ideal CU provides educational resources and support to help members recognize and avoid financial scams, including timeshare frauds. Members are encouraged to utilize these resources and consult with Ideal CU's trusted advisors for any concerns about timeshare offers or other financial opportunities.