I Paid $15,000 to a Timeshare Exit Company – And I Still Own My Timeshare
Sarah, desperate to escape her burdensome timeshare and its rising fees, paid an exit company $15,000 that “guaranteed” to cancel her contract. Two years later, after endless excuses and no progress, she discovered she still owned the timeshare, and the exit company had essentially vanished. Many timeshare exit companies charge exorbitant upfront fees with false promises of cancellation, leaving owners still stuck with their timeshare and out thousands of dollars.
The ‘Guaranteed Timeshare Cancellation’ That Was a Total Lie
Liam found a timeshare exit company online whose website boldly proclaimed “100% Guaranteed Timeshare Cancellation!” He paid their $8,000 fee. The “guarantee” was meaningless; they failed to cancel his contract and then cited fine print loopholes to deny him a refund. No company can truly guarantee a timeshare cancellation, as it depends on the resort’s cooperation and specific contract terms. Such guarantees are a major red flag for a scam.
How Timeshare Exit Scammers Prey on Desperate, Stuck Owners
Maria felt trapped by her timeshare, with its escalating maintenance fees and no way to sell it. A timeshare exit company called her, sensing her desperation. They promised an easy way out, for a large fee. These scammers specifically target owners who are feeling financially strained, frustrated, and desperate for a solution, making them more vulnerable to misleading promises and high-pressure sales tactics.
Red Flags for Timeshare Exit Scams: Upfront Fees, Unrealistic Promises
Ben was considering a timeshare exit service. He noticed several red flags: they demanded a large upfront fee (e.g., $10,000) before any services were rendered, made unrealistic promises like “guaranteed cancellation in 90 days,” and couldn’t provide a clear, verifiable process for how they achieved exits. These are classic warning signs. Legitimate assistance usually involves more modest fees tied to actual work performed, or resort-approved resale/deed-back programs.
My ‘Timeshare Attorney’ Was Just a Salesperson for an Exit Scam
Chloe contacted a firm advertising “timeshare cancellation attorneys.” The “attorney” she spoke with was actually a high-pressure salesperson for an exit company, not a practicing lawyer specializing in timeshare law. They urged her to sign a costly contract immediately. Some exit scams use the facade of legal representation to appear more credible. Always verify an attorney’s credentials and specialization independently.
They Promised to Sell My Timeshare for Profit – It Never Happened
David’s timeshare exit company initially claimed they could sell his “valuable” timeshare week for a profit, after he paid them a $3,000 “marketing and transfer fee.” The timeshare never sold (as most have little to no resale value), and the company then shifted to a costly “cancellation” service. Promises of selling a typical timeshare for profit are almost always a lie used to lure owners into paying upfront fees.
The ‘Stop Paying Your Maintenance Fees!’ Advice That Ruined My Credit
Sarah’s timeshare exit company told her to immediately stop paying her timeshare maintenance fees and mortgage, claiming this would “pressure the resort” into letting her out. Instead, the resort reported her non-payment to credit bureaus, sent her account to collections, and eventually foreclosed, severely damaging her credit score. This dangerous advice is a common tactic of bad exit companies, with serious negative financial consequences for the owner.
How to Research a Timeshare Exit Company Before You Pay a Dime
Before engaging any timeshare exit company, Liam thoroughly researched them. He checked their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and complaint history, searched for online reviews and scam reports, verified any claimed attorney affiliations, and looked for their physical address and years in business. He also checked with his state Attorney General’s office for complaints. Diligent research can help identify fraudulent operators.
The ‘Timeshare Donation’ Scam: They Took My Money, Charity Got Nothing
Maria was told by an exit company they could “donate” her timeshare to a charity, relieving her of it, for a fee of $2,500 to handle the paperwork. She paid. Later, she found out the charity never received the timeshare (or it was immediately rejected due to fees), and her ownership was not legally transferred. Some exit scams use fake charity donation schemes, taking a fee but failing to complete a legitimate transfer.
My Experience With a Timeshare Exit Company That Went Out of Business (With My Money)
Ben paid a timeshare exit company $6,000. They strung him along with excuses for a year, then suddenly their website was down, and their phones were disconnected. They had gone out of business, taking his money and leaving his timeshare unresolved. Many timeshare exit companies are short-lived operations that collect large fees from numerous clients and then disappear, offering no recourse.
The Fine Print in Timeshare Exit Contracts: Designed to Protect Them, Not You
Chloe signed a contract with a timeshare exit company. When they failed to deliver, she reviewed the contract and found the fine print was full of clauses that limited their liability, allowed for endless delays, and made it nearly impossible to get a refund. Timeshare exit scam contracts are often written to protect the exit company, not the consumer, with vague service descriptions and restrictive terms.
How Timeshare Exit Scammers Use Fear of Rising Maintenance Fees
David’s timeshare maintenance fees had increased significantly. An exit company used this fear, telling him fees would “only keep skyrocketing” and he needed their “urgent help” to escape before it got worse. Scammers exploit legitimate concerns about rising fees to create panic and pressure owners into paying for their dubious exit services, often exaggerating future cost increases.
The ‘Class Action Lawsuit’ Against the Resort That Never Materialized
Sarah’s exit company claimed they were part of a “major class action lawsuit” against her resort, which would force the resort to cancel her contract once she paid their “legal retainer” of $4,000. The lawsuit was either non-existent or her participation was never actually filed. Some exit scams falsely claim involvement in litigation to solicit upfront fees from hopeful timeshare owners.
I Was Told My Timeshare Was ‘Worthless’ by an Exit Company Trying to Scare Me
Liam contacted an exit company. They immediately told him his timeshare was “completely worthless” and a “financial ticking time bomb,” trying to scare him into signing up for their expensive cancellation service. While many timeshares have low resale value, some exit companies use overly negative and fear-inducing language about timeshare ownership to pressure owners into their costly programs.
The ‘Transfer Your Timeshare to Us’ Scam: They Just Default and Ruin Your Credit
Maria’s exit company offered to “take over” her timeshare deed for a fee. They then simply stopped paying the maintenance fees under her name (or a shell company’s name), leading to collections and credit damage for Maria, while they profited from her upfront payment. In this scam, the company doesn’t actually relieve you of ownership obligations responsibly.
How to Spot Fake Testimonials for Timeshare Exit Companies
Ben was researching an exit company. He noticed their website testimonials were very vague, used stock photos for “clients,” or were identical across multiple review sites. Fake testimonials are common. Look for detailed, verifiable stories, check if reviewers have a genuine online presence, and be wary of overwhelmingly positive but non-specific praise, especially if negative reviews mention scam behavior.
My Journey to ACTUALLY Get Rid of My Timeshare (Legitimately)
After nearly falling for an exit scam, Chloe contacted her timeshare resort directly. She explained her situation and asked about their deed-back or hardship programs. While not always available or easy, she found her resort had a legitimate (though modest) option for responsible exit, which she pursued. Sometimes, working directly with the resort or a reputable, resort-approved resale broker is the safest path.
The Timeshare Exit Company That Kept Asking for More Money for ‘Unexpected Fees’
David paid an initial $5,000 to an exit company. Months later, they contacted him demanding an additional $1,500 for “unforeseen resort transfer fees” or “new legal processing costs.” This is a common tactic. Once they have your initial payment, some scammy exit companies will invent new fees to extract more money, threatening to halt the process if not paid.
Why Reputable Lawyers Rarely Specialize Exclusively in ‘Timeshare Exits’
Sarah was advised that while some lawyers handle real estate or contract disputes involving timeshares, those who market themselves exclusively as “timeshare exit attorneys” and charge large upfront fees may be affiliated with or operate like exit companies. Reputable legal help for timeshare issues is typically sought for specific contract breaches or misrepresentation, not just general “exit” services with guarantees.
The Connection Between Timeshare Resale Scams and Exit Scams
Liam had previously been approached by timeshare resale scammers (who promise to sell your timeshare for a large upfront fee, then do nothing). He noticed that some timeshare exit companies use very similar tactics: high upfront fees, grand promises, and little to no actual results. Both prey on timeshare owners’ desire to be free of their obligations.
How Timeshare Exit Companies Use High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Maria attended a “free informational seminar” about timeshare exits. The presentation was full of fear-mongering and ended with a high-pressure sales pitch to sign up for their expensive exit program “on the spot” for a “special seminar discount.” These seminars often use aggressive sales tactics, emotional manipulation, and limited-time offers to rush owners into making costly decisions without due diligence.
The ‘Cancel Your Timeshare Contract Instantly’ Ads: Too Good to Be True
Ben saw online ads claiming “Cancel Your Timeshare Contract Instantly!” or “Get Out of Your Timeshare in 30 Days!” These are almost always false advertising. Timeshare cancellation is a complex process that typically takes many months, if successful at all, and is never “instant.” Such claims are designed to lure desperate owners with unrealistic promises.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed by a Timeshare Exit Company
Chloe realized the exit company she paid $7,000 to was a scam. She gathered all her documents (contract, payment proof, communications), reported them to the FTC, her state Attorney General, and the BBB. She also disputed the charge with her credit card company (if applicable) and consulted with a legitimate attorney about her options. Taking action is important, even if recovery is difficult.
The ‘Government Program’ for Timeshare Relief That Doesn’t Exist
David received a call about a “new federal government program” offering financial assistance to help timeshare owners exit their contracts. He just needed to pay a “small application fee.” There are no general government bailout or relief programs for timeshare owners. Such claims are scams designed to collect fees or personal information.
My Timeshare Exit ‘Advocate’ Was Completely Unreachable After I Paid
Sarah paid a “timeshare exit advocate” company $4,500. After they received her money, her assigned “advocate” became nearly impossible to reach. Emails went unanswered, and voicemails were never returned. This is a common experience with scam exit companies; once they have your payment, customer service and communication often disappear.
How Scammers Get Lists of Timeshare Owners to Target Them
Liam wondered how so many timeshare exit companies got his contact information. Timeshare ownership is often a matter of public record (deeds). Scammers can purchase lists from data brokers, access county records, or obtain them through less scrupulous timeshare industry insiders. This allows them to directly target owners with their solicitations.
The ‘100% Money-Back Guarantee’ From an Exit Company I Could Never Claim
Maria chose an exit company because they offered a “100% Money-Back Guarantee” if they couldn’t cancel her timeshare. When they failed, she tried to claim the guarantee. The company then presented numerous hidden conditions, blamed the resort, or simply stopped responding, making the guarantee worthless. Such guarantees are often a deceptive marketing ploy with no real intention of honoring them.
The Emotional Toll of Being Trapped by a Timeshare AND an Exit Scam
Ben felt doubly victimized – first by the burdensome timeshare itself, and then by the exit company that scammed him out of $10,000 promising relief. The emotional toll of this “double whammy” can be immense, leading to feelings of frustration, anger, shame, hopelessness, and significant financial stress.
Why Paying Upfront for a Timeshare Exit is Almost Always a Bad Idea
Chloe learned that reputable timeshare exit assistance, if available through attorneys or legitimate brokers, usually involves fees paid for specific services rendered or upon successful resale/transfer, not large, non-refundable upfront payments before any significant work is done. Demanding thousands of dollars upfront with only vague promises of future success is a major characteristic of exit scams.
The ‘Hardship Letter’ Service That Did Nothing to Help My Timeshare Situation
David paid an exit company $500 to write a “professional hardship letter” to his resort, claiming this would get him out of his contract. The letter was generic and had no effect. Simply writing a letter, even a well-crafted one, rarely results in timeshare cancellation unless there are specific, valid grounds for contract termination or the resort has a compassionate release program.
How Timeshare Exit Companies Use Misleading Information About Resort Policies
Sarah’s exit company told her that her resort “never” allows owners to exit or sell, so their “special legal process” was the only way. This was false; her resort did have a limited deed-back program she later discovered. Exit scammers often spread misinformation about resort policies to make their own expensive services seem like the only viable option.
The ‘Timeshare Title Transfer’ Service That Was a Complete Fraud
Liam paid a company $3,000 to “transfer his timeshare title” to a third party they supposedly found, thus relieving him of ownership. He later received maintenance bills; the title was never legally transferred out of his name, or it was transferred to a shell company that immediately defaulted. These fraudulent transfer services often don’t complete legitimate transfers, leaving the original owner still liable.
My Experience Trying to Report a Timeshare Exit Scam to Authorities
Maria reported the timeshare exit scam she fell for to the FTC, her state AG, and the BBB. While immediate action or fund recovery was not guaranteed, she felt it was important to contribute to the record of complaints against that company, which could help future investigations or class actions, and potentially prevent others from being victimized.
The ‘Stop Foreclosure on Your Timeshare’ Scam (When It Wasn’t Even in Foreclosure)
Ben received an urgent letter from a company offering to “stop imminent foreclosure” on his timeshare for a fee. He was current on his payments and not in foreclosure. Scammers send these alarming but false notices to frighten owners into paying for unnecessary services, often using publicly available ownership data to target them.
How to Identify Legitimate Options for Timeshare Relief vs. Scams
Chloe learned that legitimate timeshare relief options might include: 1. Contacting the resort directly about deed-back or hardship programs. 2. Using a licensed real estate broker specializing in timeshares (for resale, if viable). 3. Seeking legal advice from a reputable attorney for contract disputes. These contrast sharply with scam exit companies’ high upfront fees and vague guarantees.
The ‘Timeshare Buyback’ Offer From an Exit Company That Was a Lie
David’s exit company claimed the resort had a “secret buyback program” they could access for him, if he paid their fee first. The resort confirmed no such program existed. False claims of access to special buyback or exit programs are a common lure used by fraudulent timeshare exit companies. Always verify such claims directly with your resort.
When the Exit Company Blames the Resort for Lack of Progress (It’s Their Fault)
Sarah’s exit company, after months of no results, started blaming her resort for being “uncooperative” and “refusing to negotiate.” Often, the exit company itself is doing little or nothing effective, and blaming the resort is a common excuse to stall, deflect responsibility, and avoid refunding fees.
The Seminar That Pressured Me Into Signing Up for a Timeshare Exit Scam
Liam attended a “free dinner seminar” about getting out of timeshares. The speakers used fear-mongering tactics about rising fees and inheritance burdens, then aggressively pushed attendees to sign expensive contracts for their exit services on the spot. These high-pressure seminars are a common sales channel for timeshare exit scams.
How Timeshare Exit Scammers Use Fake Affiliations (BBB, etc.)
Maria’s exit company website displayed logos of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other consumer groups, implying endorsement. When she checked the actual BBB site, the company had an F rating and numerous complaints. Scammers falsely use logos of reputable organizations to create an illusion of trustworthiness. Always verify affiliations directly with the organization cited.
The ‘Legal Loophole’ They Claimed to Have Found (It Didn’t Exist)
Ben’s timeshare exit company boasted of a “newly discovered legal loophole” that allowed them to easily cancel any timeshare contract. This is a common marketing gimmick. There are no secret, universal loopholes for timeshare contracts. Legitimate contract exits are based on specific contractual terms, consumer protection laws for misrepresentation, or resort policies.
My Timeshare Was ‘Successfully Cancelled’ – Then I Got a Bill From the Resort
Chloe received a letter from her exit company proclaiming her timeshare was “successfully cancelled!” Months later, she received a maintenance fee bill from her resort; her contract was still active. Some exit companies falsely claim success to stop victims from pursuing refunds, while the timeshare obligation remains. Always get written confirmation of cancellation directly from your resort or developer.
The Importance of Contacting Your Resort Directly About Exit Options First
Before considering any third-party exit company, David learned it’s crucial to contact his timeshare developer or resort management directly. He asked about any deed-back programs, resale assistance, or options for surrender they might offer. Sometimes, resorts have internal programs or can provide legitimate guidance, which is far safer and often cheaper than using an unknown exit company.
The ‘Viking Ship’ Timeshare Exit Method: Sinking Your Credit
Sarah was advised by an exit company to transfer her timeshare to a shell company (a “Viking Ship” company) that would then default on the fees. This method can severely damage her credit when the resort pursues her for the unpaid dues, as she may still be ultimately liable. This is not a legitimate or safe exit strategy.
How Long Does a Legitimate Timeshare Exit Actually Take?
Liam found out that even legitimate timeshare exit processes (like a deed-back or assisted resale through a reputable broker) can take many months, sometimes over a year, depending on the resort, market conditions, and contract terms. Promises of quick exits (e.g., “in 90 days”) from exit companies are usually unrealistic and a red flag for a potential scam.
The ‘Timeshare Mortgage Cancellation’ Scam (Mortgages are Separate)
Maria still owed a mortgage on her timeshare. An exit company claimed they could cancel both her timeshare contract and her mortgage. Timeshare mortgages are typically separate loans. While an exit company might (rarely) negotiate a contract release, they generally cannot cancel a mortgage loan owed to a lender. This is a common misleading claim.
Protecting Elderly Relatives From Aggressive Timeshare Exit Salespeople
Ben’s elderly parents, struggling with timeshare fees, were aggressively targeted by exit company telemarketers. Ben helped them by screening calls, being present during any discussions, researching any company that contacted them, and reminding them never to pay large upfront fees or sign contracts under pressure. Seniors are often prime targets due to their vulnerability and fixed incomes.
The Scammer Used My Desperation to Get Out of My Timeshare Against Me
Chloe was so desperate to escape her timeshare fees that she overlooked red flags and readily believed the exit company’s promises. Scammers expertly sense and exploit this desperation, knowing that owners who feel trapped are more likely to pay large sums for any glimmer of hope, even if the promises are unrealistic.
My Fight for a Refund After Paying Thousands to a Useless Exit Company
David paid $7,000 to an exit company that did nothing. He spent months sending letters, filing complaints with consumer agencies (FTC, BBB, State AG), disputing the credit card charge, and even threatening legal action. While success is not guaranteed, persistently pursuing all available avenues is sometimes the only way to potentially recover some funds from these scams.
The ‘Industry Insider Secrets’ They Claimed to Have (Just Generic Info)
Sarah’s exit company salesperson claimed to have “industry insider secrets” and “special relationships” with resorts that allowed them to achieve cancellations others couldn’t. The “advice” and “process” they offered turned out to be generic information or ineffective tactics. Claims of secret knowledge or special access are usually marketing hype to justify high fees.
Timeshare Owners: Don’t Let Panic Lead You Into an Exit Scam
Liam was panicking about an upcoming maintenance fee increase. He almost signed with the first exit company that promised a quick fix. He forced himself to slow down, research thoroughly, and consult trusted sources. Panic and desperation make timeshare owners highly vulnerable. It’s crucial to remain calm, do extensive due diligence, and be skeptical of easy solutions before paying any exit company.