Are You Being Targeted by Fraudulent Timeshare Exit Companies?
Be wary of fraudulent offers both online and offline
Image by RawPixel/Shutterstock
Next
How to protect yourself from the trap of timeshare exit scams
Scroll down
Back
Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club is set to open in South Carolina next year (artist rendering; subject to change)
Members can enjoy stylish beachfront accommodation at the soon-to-be-opened Maui Bay Villas by Hilton Grand Vacations
In Japan, The Beach Resort Sesoko by Hilton Club is a luxurious accommodation addition to the HGV portfolio
Contact Us
Contact Us
Get in touch with us if you have further questions about timeshare exit scams.
follow us
Many fraudulent companies promise customers an “easy way out” of vacation ownership, offering to help Owners cancel their timeshare. Scammers also often claim to be able to help you earn income from your timeshare by listing it for sale or rent. For example, Owners are being told it’ll be easy to rent their weeks because they’re needed for conventions or other events. “Unfortunately, this is false and often owners are limited in the ability to rent ownership-related benefits,” explains Kelly Lodde, associate general counsel at Hilton Grand Vacations.
What does timeshare exit company fraud look like?
Timeshare exit scammers have been making headlines lately. Claiming to help consumers get compensation, sell, rent or advertise their vacation ownership or earn extra income on unused benefits, these nefarious companies typically charge hefty upfront fees and then disappear without fulfilling their end of the bargain. By the time customers discover they’re being defrauded, their timeshares will often have gone into foreclosure — tarnishing their credit histories and leaving them hundreds to thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Such fraudulent schemes have been so pervasive that the FBI even issued a statement in 2020, warning consumers to “be suspicious of any uninvited offers regarding your timeshare.” Here, we answer your most frequently asked questions about timeshare exit scams.
Do not entertain unsolicited calls about your timeshare
Image by Ronstik/Getty Images
Club Travel newsletter is published monthly by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, LLC, and distributed exclusively to Club Members. All rights reserved. The publisher is not responsible for omissions or errors. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this publication in any format or medium without written permission from Hilton Grand Vacations is prohibited.
Hilton Grand Vacations disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hilton Grand Vacations. Hilton Grand Vacations does not make any representation regarding the availability of or endorse any of the products or services provided by third parties.
Hilton Grand Vacations® is a registered trademark of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. or its subsidiaries and licensed to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. Hilton Grand Vacations and its properties and programs operate under the Hilton Grand Vacations name pursuant to a license agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
© 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
Global Privacy Policy Updated | Cookie Statement | Site Usage Agreement
Club Traveler
The most obvious red flag is an upfront fee of any kind. Scammers pocket these fees — whether they’re described as taxes, processing fees, advertising fees, escrow fees or otherwise — only to disappear without a trace shortly after. Other warning signs include being asked for personal information that should already be on record and filling out extensive paperwork that confuses you about what exactly you’re agreeing to. Finally, be wary of bold promises such as canceling your contract or eliminating maintenance fees. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Are there red flags I should watch out for?
We do not share your information with companies that would offer to sell or rent your timeshare or related benefits. Also, we would never ask another party to contact you on our behalf.
Will a third-party company ever reach out to me on behalf of Embarc Resorts, Diamond Resorts or Hilton Grand Vacations?
If you receive an unsolicited communication about your timeshare, be vigilant, Kelly cautions. “If communications look or sound different from what you’re used to receiving, they’re likely not from us,” she says. For example, we will never leave pre-recorded sales messages, ask you to wire money or have a third party call you on our behalf to talk about your timeshare.
When in doubt, do not engage with the caller or respond to the email. If you do speak with the caller, try to gather as many details as possible without disclosing any personal information. Whether you engage with the person who contacted you or not, always report the incident to us. “Owners need to stay vigilant, but they also need to fight this battle with us by reporting any scams they encounter,” Kelly says.
If you suspect you’re being targeted by a scam company, please report it to us at Privacy.Matters@HGVC.com.
What should I do if I suspect I’m being targeted?
How do I know I’m being contacted by an Embarc, Diamond or HGV Team Member?