Protect Yourself From Timeshare Scams

In theory, it should be pretty easy to protect yourself from a timeshare scam as most scams related to vacation ownership do not originate from genuine timeshare operators but rather from intentional scammers or fraudsters. With a little research it is easy to distinguish the bona fide companies from the deliberate rip-off merchants. Below you will find some key tips to help you avoid a timeshare scam.

Ask Around
Like any big purchase in life, ask around to see if people have heard of the company that you are buying with. Nowadays the Internet is probably the first port of call. Just by typing in the name of the operator and the words “scam“, “fraud” or “rip-off” you should be able to find out whether the company is genuine or not. Failing that, ask your friends on Facebook or Twitter, to see if anyone has heard of any bad experiences with that particular timeshare developer.

Experience Over New Ventures
The best way to protect yourself from scams is to always choose a timeshare developer with experience and at least 10 years in the business, preferably more. New emerging companies may well not all be scams, but the possibility of them going out of business before they have finished your timeshare complex is very real. In today’s climate, always opt for an experienced company.

Don’t Pay for Presentation Gifts
A common scam related to timeshare that does not cause a great loss of money but is a scam nonetheless, is when a timeshare company gets you to pay for your presentation gift in some way, whether that be in the form of expensive delivery costs, or you have to pay to enter a raffle in order to win an even more grand prize like a car. Most reputable companies will give you gifts that do not cost them a great deal but which have a great value for you, such as discounts on vacations, free or discounted excursions, a free breakfast buffet or an all inclusive day pass at the resort.

Read the Contract
This last point is not just related to timeshare scams but also genuine timeshare purchases. Take as much time as you need to read the contract, checking all of the details with the seller. Do not take their word for anything that appears to be ambiguous, ask for any promises to be given in writing before you sign. If the seller does not seem to want to comply ask to see a line manager as it could be that the representative you are dealing with is spinning his or her own lies to sell you the timeshare. Reputable companies will not tolerate this from their sellers, therefore it is important to report any doubts you have to a more senior member if you have any misgivings.