Have I Been Scammed? How to Tell

Have I Been Scammed? How to Tell

Have you been wondering if you were scammed by a timeshare provider? It can be difficult to tell if you have been victimized by a timeshare scammer, especially when you are dealing with phone interactions.  However, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Timeshare scammers are well versed in what to say to convince unsuspecting victims to use their services. They even use legitimate company names such as the Villa Group Resorts in conversations in order to promote a sense of security with their prospective victim. Keep reading below for tips on how to avoid timeshare scams.

How to avoid timeshare scams

To start with, The Villa Group Resorts is a reputable provider that does not scam their members. For example:

  • They will never contact you to sell your timeshare.
  • They also will not contact you to rent or buy your timeshare or to demand you pay Mexican Taxes or other suspicious fees.
  • They will never sell or share your personal information.
  • They have safety encrypted systems that are only accessible to authorized personnel.
  • They always keep your information secure and protected from outside companies.  

How timeshare scams work

Still not sure how to tell if a scammer is contacting you? Here are some common scammer tactics that are a red flag you are dealing with an illegitimate person.

  • First off, many scammers offer prospective members a “guaranteed” way to exit their membership. This is a warning sign they are trying to scam you because timeshare memberships are unable to be canceled after the cooling-off period has ended.
  • If you already own a timeshare, scammers also often ask members to pay an upfront fee to sell or rent out their timeshare unit. If you hesitate, you may find that scammers are quite persistent and can call and email you multiple times a day.
  • In addition, scammers sometimes offer to “work with” the resort on your behalf. Sometimes, the scammer claims to be calling from the resort or a “resort partner.” Other scammers have even gone as far as to claim to work with the Mexican government. 

Beware of Letters of Intent

In addition, scammers will often send potential victims a letter of intent with the purchase amount for their timeshare to make it seem like a legitimate offer. However, when the unsuspecting customer agrees to move forward, they will have to share their membership information and pay an upfront fee in order to sell the timeshare. Then, the scammers will quickly disappear without providing any legitimate service. Stay safe and don’t let yourself become a victim. Only work with your existing provider to avoid timeshare scams. Remember, if you receive a phone call and are asked to share or confirm your account information before continuing with the conversation, be very wary! 

Warning Signs of Phone Call Scams

how timeshare scams work

Many timeshare scams begin with a phone call. To stay safe, here are some warning signs of phone call scams to be aware of.

  • To begin with, if you begin to receive unsolicited phone calls, emails or texts from charity fundraisers, be wary. Many scammers reach out to existing timeshare members to request money for a cause, especially after disasters. At the Villa Group Resorts, they work with the Eagle’s Wings Foundation that gives back to underserved communities during times of need. However, they do not contact members via phone calls. Instead, they only send easily verifiable communication to members. If you ever suspect suspicious activity when you are contacted, ask them to remove you from their calling list and hang up. Next, contact Member Service Agents here.
  • Also, if you begin to receive phone calls with an offer to purchase or resell your timeshare, stay alert. Common scams also claim they can provide free product trials, cash prizes, cheap travel packages, medical devices, pre-approved loans, debt reduction, and low-risk, high-return investments in order to convince members to use their fraudulent services. Lastly, automated sales calls from a company that you have not given permission to call is almost always a scam. Only nonprofit groups and political campaigns are allowed to use automated calls 

How to report timeshare scams

Lastly, if you believe you have been contacted by a scammer, you can help others by reporting the fraudulent individual or company to the authorities. For example, you can contact the Business Fraud Division at the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-382-4357. You can also file a complaint online from their website. In addition, you should report your experience to your state’s Attorney General’s Office. That way, others in your area that are looking into timeshare ownership will know who to avoid. You can find your local office by searching for the “Attorney General’s Office” in your home state. Many times, the “Complaint” link will be on the first page of the website to make it easy to submit your complaint. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is a newer agency that works to prevent scams against consumers by identifying and shutting down scammers. 

Most timeshare companies today are trustworthy and provide quality vacation club memberships for their owners. Don’t let a few unsavory individuals or companies taint the entire timeshare industry. Instead, with everyone working together to help one another, we can prevent scammers from hurting new victims. We hope you enjoyed our article on how to tell if you have been scammed. Remember, if you want to invest in a high-quality vacation ownership, The Villa Group Resorts is a top choice. With 9 luxury resorts in the best destinations in Mexico, they are the perfect vacation solution for families who always want to travel in style.

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