(and Exactly How to Do It)
Timeshare owners are prime targets for resale, re-rent, and “exit” scams. Scammers know owners want relief, so they use urgency, impersonation, and upfront-fee tricks to extract money and vanish.
Here’s the good news: reporting suspicious activity is one of the most powerful actions you can take, even if you didn’t lose money. Your report creates a paper trail, helps law enforcement connect multi-state schemes, protects other owners, and may support your bank dispute or future legal remedies.
Common Timeshare Scams to Watch
- Unsolicited “buyer waiting” calls/emails promising a fast sale or rental.
- Upfront fees for “listing,” “taxes,” “closing,” or “escrow.”
- Guaranteed results (“sold in 30 days,” “money-back”) that evaporate later.
- Recovery scams targeting victims a second time, posing as law firms or agencies.
- Impersonation of brokers, attorneys, or government officials.
- Wire transfers / crypto requests to hard-to-recover destinations.
- Pressure tactics (“today-only pricing,” “sign before you leave the room”).
Why Reporting Timeshare Fraud Is Critical
- It stops serial scammers. Your report adds data (phone numbers, URLs, bank accounts) that helps connect cases across states.
- It protects other owners. Reports trigger public warnings and takedowns.
- It strengthens your position. A timely report can support chargebacks, bank disputes, and conversations with state regulators.
- It documents everything. If issues escalate, having dates, names, and artifacts already compiled saves time.
- It builds a safer marketplace. Accurate reporting reduces repeat victimization and raises industry trust.
Where (and How) to Report — Step by Step
1) File with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
- Go to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- Choose the category that best fits (e.g., “Impostor,” “Debt & Credit,” “Online Shopping,” etc.).
- Provide details (see checklist below).
- Save your confirmation number and any documents you uploaded.
2) If money moved online, report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Submit a complaint at https://www.ic3.gov.
- Include transaction IDs, wallets, account numbers, and any international wire details.
3) Notify your state consumer agency or Attorney General
- Find your state consumer office: https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer.
- Many states track patterns and can pursue deceptive businesses operating locally.
4) Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment platform
- Ask for a chargeback or dispute.
- Provide your FTC report number; attach the contract, receipts, emails, call logs.
5) If the scam used the mail
- Report mail fraud to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service: https://www.uspis.gov/report.
Tip: File reports even if you caught the scam early. The details you provide may match another victim’s case.
What to Do Immediately If You Sent Money
- Call your bank/card issuer and request a dispute or recall (wires are time-sensitive).
- Document everything (download emails, contracts, caller logs).
- File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3 if applicable.
- Do not send additional “clearance,” “tax,” or “recovery” fees—those are common follow-ups by the same scammers.
Smart Prevention Practices (Going Forward)
- Never pay large upfront fees to sell, rent, or “exit” a timeshare.
- Verify licenses (real-estate brokers, escrow agents) with the state where the timeshare is located.
- Use written agreements only; refuse to sign under pressure.
- Independently verify addresses, phone numbers, and domains—not the contact info provided by the salesperson.
- Search the company name + “complaints” + “scam.”
- Get a second opinion from a qualified professional if anything feels rushed.
