Cookie Statement

This website uses cookies to ensure users get the best experience on our website. LEARN MORE

Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Unscrupulous third parties are increasingly trying to defraud consumers, specifically timeshare Owners. These fraudulent timeshare schemes often say they can rent, sell or advertise your timeshare exchange benefits, or may even claim you have weeks, certificates or points you have not used and they can help sell on your behalf.

The good news is these scams often follow the same patterns and use similar tactics. There are ways to protect yourself from these scams, and the first step is knowing how to identify them.

Read below for tips on how to identify fraudulent offers and common scams, educational tools and resources and how to report an incident.

Tips to Identify a Fraudulent Timeshare Scam

If the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
Be suspicious of pre-recorded sales messages.
If someone is asking for upfront fees, it’s likely a scam.
They ask for personal information, especially information they should have on record.

Common Fraudulent Schemes

Elimination of fees, including homeowners associations fees, or contract cancellations.
Offers to rent your timeshare exchange benefits.
Offers to buy or sell your timeshare.
Paid ownership transfers.

Educational Tools and Resources

Following is a list of educational tools and other resources for more information on the topic:

Sample of fraudulent communication.

“How to Avoid Falling Victim to Third-Party Exit Fraud” – This article lists four red flags that indicate you are a target of third-party fraud.
“Protect Yourself From Exit Company Fraud” – Learn how to recognize a third-party exit company scam and how to report it.
“Third-Party Exit Company Fraud Is on the Rise” – This article shares information on how Owners can be aware of third-party exit scammers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Protect Yourself Against Fraud and Keep Your Timeshare Safe” – This article reports on a Club Member who fell victim to third-party fraud and shares how that Member’s situation was resolved.
“A Guide to Spotting Exit Company Fraud” — The article identifies common fraudulent schemes and details how scammers work.
“Tips to Protect Yourself From Exit Company Schemes” — The article shares tips to help you fend off scammers and keep your HGV timeshare exchange benefits safe.
“Kiplinger’s Report: Don’t Fall for Timeshare Exit Scams” — The blog discusses a Kiplinger story on exit company scams that are targeting older timeshare Owners.
American Resort Development Association — The website provides helpful information for timeshare Owners, including the latest news and scam alerts in the resale market.
Better Business Bureau study — The study provides insights into third-party exit companies based on complaints and documents from more than 400 consumers who believed they were victimized by exit companies in the Springfield, Illinois area.
Federal Trade Commission — The government agency provides articles and blogs on the topic. To access these, type “timeshare resale scams” in the search bar.
List of Third-Party Exit Companies — Check out this page from RCI for a list of potential offenders, including: Praetorian Legal, Club Class/ ITRA/ RCI Action Group, sellmytimeshare.tv/Monster Rewards SL, EZE Group and Luxury Linx.
VacationTimes.org — This page contains a scrolling feed featuring the latest industry news and timeshare fraud alerts.
Protect Yourself: How to Recognize and Avoid Timeshare Fraud — This video contains information on how to identify and report timeshare fraud solicitations.

Reporting Timeshare Fraud

If you are a victim of a fraudulent timeshare scheme or have received deceitful solicitations, follow the steps below:

Contact the authorities:

United States: You can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office in the state where you reside. Not sure how to find your AG’s office? Click here to find a location.
Europe: Gather as many details of the scam as possible and email them to us at LegalReport@hgv.com.
Canada: You can report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Provincial Consumer Affairs Regulator.
All Other Countries: You can report the incident to your regional consumer protection division.

Stop payment immediately. If you paid the scammer via a credit card, contact your card company and request a stop payment. Request a stop payment with your bank if you’ve paid by check.
Contact us.

If you received a suspicious solicitation and are unsure whether it’s part of a fraudulent timeshare tactic, contact a Club Counselor here.
If you’re a victim of a fraudulent timeshare tactic, you can contact us by completing the Incident Intake Questionnaire and emailing it to us at Privacy.Matters@HGVC.com.