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You don’t have to search indefinitely across the internet to find complaints about timeshare resale companies and the ways in which they will work to trick you out of your precious hard-earned cash. In our internet, information sharing age you would be forgiven for thinking you can easily see and spot a trickster coming your way. However, there are pitfalls out there that may still cause you to trip up. As our technological age becomes more advanced, so does the possibility and opportunity for fraudsters to scam you.

Some of the things you should be aware of and look out for when dealing with timeshare are:

Timeshare scammers pretend to be legitimate companies! Timeshare resale scammers may pretend to be representatives of a licensed real estate company. The majority of the time, they are lying and you need to make sure you do your research before dealing with anybody you haven’t given your details too previously. People do and will act in the name of a broker that’s no longer active; they’ll pretend to be someone other than who they are.

The seller may insist that you have to ‘make a decision now’. You have to be aware that you are the one that holds the valuable timeshare. Anyone who truly wants to deal with you and purchase from you would and should be willing to wait whilst you check things out! Just like buying a home, you need to make sure you check the small print and make an informed decision. If someone honestly wants to buy from you, they will be willing to wait. If not, they are probably not legit and simply out to make a quick buck!

They want money upfront! Immediately your alarm bells should be ringing. No legitimate company will ask you for money up front, in certain parts of the world – that’s not even legal! They will tell you all sorts of un-truths to convince you to share your wealth, but it’s not true! You don’t need to pay taxes now, there shouldn’t be a fee to ‘start’ the process and the government doesn’t require a fee! If it sounds like someone is stringing you a line… they probably are – check, check and then check again before you give anyone your money!

Your timeshare scammer could tell you that they have a buyer ready for you and you ‘need to do it now!’ It’s NOT true!! They are simply trying to pressure and urge you into making a decision that could ultimately cost you a lot of money. This is another trick of the trade (which sadly is tried and tested!) to push you into making and uninformed mistake. Don’t let these false promises lull you into a false sense of security.

Inevitably you will be told that they can sell for you at an astounding dream price and like every other human being in the world, this type of language is music to our ears! You will be tempted, drawn and pulled into conversation, you must be on your guard and know that (as with most things) if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. They will tell you you’re listening to Beethoven, when it fact it’s an old cassette recorded from the radio 30 years ago! If you do your research you will know what your timeshare is worth and any promises of more than that, they won’t be worth the breath taken to tell you.

The simplest way avoid any timeshare resale scam is to research and simply use someone you can truly trust to help you. Don’t get sucked in by empty promises and false dreams.

For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk