There are several ways that a timeshare exit company can cheat you. Some of them will take a high upfront payment to start the process and then end up foreclosing your property, falsifying documents, and engaging in other illegal behavior. Here are some common examples. You should be aware of these companies, so you can avoid them.
Fraudulent timeshare exit companies take high upfront payments
Consumers who wish to sell their timeshares have to be careful of fraudulent timeshare exit companies. Some of these companies may ask for high upfront payments, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your money back. Consumers should be careful and read the fine print of the contract before handing over a large sum of money.
Many fraudulent timeshare exit companies claim to have a willing recipient, but in reality they are a shell company. A shell company is a company that does not have operations or assets. This is a common tactic used by fraudulent timeshare exit companies, and after the transfer, they appear as the new owner.
These companies usually target timeshare owners who are older. They use high-pressure sales tactics and ask for high upfront payments. The Better Business Bureau says these companies collected more than $2 million from their victims. In addition to taking high upfront payments, these companies often fail to perform the service, and ultimately file for bankruptcy.
The BBB conducted a study on timeshare exit companies to identify common scams. It reviewed consumer complaints filed with the organization and interviewed about 70 consumers. They found that many timeshare exit companies are unprofessional and lack ethics. They also refuse to work with reputable third-party exit companies.
Many people have lost their money through timeshare exit companies. Consumers who paid large upfront fees to these companies were deceived and have no way to sell their timeshare.
They foreclose on personal property
When you’re facing foreclosure, it can be difficult to know what steps you need to take. The first step is to determine whether you’re in a position where you can safely sell your timeshare. While it’s common to find companies that specialize in timeshare foreclosure, not all of them are legitimate. Often, these companies are not affiliated with the Wyndham brand. If you’re not sure if a company is legitimate, check with the Better Business Bureau and FTC.
In some cases, timeshare exit companies foreclose on personal property, which can be a very expensive mistake. Even if you’re not personally liable for any losses, the process can be frustrating and stressful. You may be faced with an intimidating company that doesn’t have your best interests at heart. In addition to foreclosing on your property, timeshare exit companies can damage your credit score.
If you’re a timeshare owner, you may be wondering if you should sell your timeshare to a company that does. There are many reasons to consider selling, including the fact that it will increase your overall property value. One reason is that timeshares are extremely expensive and maintenance costs can reach $2,000 a year. In addition, these fees rise with the age of the property, so they can quickly add up.
In 2016, a Washington State attorney general sued timeshare exit companies and forced them to cease and desist from misleading customers. Reed Hein and Associates LLC had to agree to cease deceptive practices in timeshare foreclosure and pay a $2.61 million settlement to the state. If they continue to do business in Washington, the company could face additional fines of up to $19 million. Despite the lawsuit, the company has apologized and has ceased all deceptive practices.
They falsify documents
Timeshare exit companies have become a huge problem for timeshare owners. While they can be very effective at getting the timeshares off of people’s hands, they also pose a serious legal risk. While timeshares are not a contract, they are obtained through a recorded deed or license. Unfortunately, most timeshare exit companies do not understand how to properly handle state conveyancing laws. This means that when you try to sell your timeshare, you will receive a generic, one-size-fits-all letter from the company. While this letter may sound nice, it is simply a form letter with unsubstantiated allegations.
The first step towards detecting fraudulent timeshare exit companies is to educate yourself about the process. Fraudulent companies use a script to gain trust from consumers. They often present false and misleading information in order to fool their victims. Regardless of the fact that some timeshare exit companies have gotten good results for some clients, you should never trust a timeshare exit company that tries to manipulate the information on their documents.
One timeshare exit company, Timeshare Exit Team, falsely presents itself as an entirely legitimate way to cancel your timeshare. It uses the law firm SGB to send out “token letters” claiming to represent the active involvement of a licensed attorney. It also instructs owners to stop making payments on their timeshare, which can lead to loan default and foreclosure. It may also ruin the timeshare owner’s credit.
The BBB has received numerous complaints from consumers about timeshare exit companies. The organization has urged the federal government to treat these businesses in the same way as the credit relief industry. For instance, the federal Consumer Protection Act bans fraudulent credit card debt relief companies from collecting upfront fees before reducing their clients’ debt. In addition, federal regulations should limit upfront fees for timeshare exit services. This will make it much more difficult for inept companies to get money out of consumers.
They engage in unlawful behaviors to complete a timeshare exit
Timeshare exit companies have been known to engage in illegal behavior, including transferring timeshares to people who are not paying maintenance fees and deeding timeshares to companies who are not regulated. These companies are also known to send unsolicited phone calls to timeshare owners. These callers will use information they obtain from real estate public records or data warehouses to contact timeshare owners. If you get a call from such a company, it’s probably are timeshare exit companies scams.
A timeshare exit company needs to be open and honest with its clients. It should also be transparent about its special process. Unfortunately, some timeshare exit companies try to hide this, claiming that the process is so complicated that they will not share any details. This kind of behavior could ruin your credit score, cause multiple collection calls, or result in further penalties from your timeshare company.
Timeshare exit companies will also advise timeshare owners to cease paying annual maintenance fees as soon as they cancel their timeshare. These companies do this so that they can foreclose on your ownership without a lot of work on their part. However, following their advice can have long-term consequences, including lowered credit scores and a lawsuit from the resort. So, if you’re looking for a quick, easy way out of a timeshare, avoid any timeshare exit company.
There have been thousands of timeshare owners who have been scammed by timeshare exit companies. Some have even lost their life savings. Therefore, it’s crucial to research timeshare exit companies before attending a presentation.
They target the elderly and uneducated
If you’re looking for a timeshare exit company, there are many scams out there, and the trick is to check out their reputation first. These scams operate by using unusual tactics to look legitimate. Here are a few of the most common methods used by timeshare scammers.
Fake documents are common. Almost any piece of information can be forged. In fact, almost every scam involves fake documentation. Cohesive letterheads and email signatures have been used to fool unsuspecting clients. Unfortunately, many of these victims didn’t know how easy it is to create fake documentation, so they simply assumed that the company was legitimate. Using the same logo and branding on several documents is also a common tactic used by scammers.