While timeshare scams are much less common than they used to be, a timeshare scam could inadvertently happen to you if you don’t know the warning signs to watch out for. Vacation club memberships are a great way to effectively prepay and plan ahead for great vacations, but you should also be aware of potential timeshare scams to stay safe and protect your hard earned money. Want to invest with a quality vacation membership? It is a great idea, but follow these 2019 timeshare scam tips to protect yourself from scammers at the same time. Read below to know the top timeshare scam warning signs and you will successfully prevent a timeshare scam from happening to you.
Tip # 1: Beware of Companies With No Reputation
Always find a reputable provider like the award winning Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa for your vacation ownership membership. World class resorts and vacation clubs like Garza Blanca have been internationally recognized for their superior standards and service and have a great reputation. On the flip side, a company with a bad reputation is obviously someone you want to avoid dealings with. However, what if you find a company that has no reputation at all? That is actually a red flag that you may be dealing with a potential scammer. If a vacation club has no information about them at all, make sure to tread very lightly. The majority of timeshare scammers are able to find new victims and avoid prosecution by authorities by regularly changing their company name (which means they have no reputation at all) and it limits the ability of potential victims to research their past dealings. As a result, the scammers can continue to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Before you purchase any vacation membership, take time to investigate the company and investigate their reputation. When you find vacation club provider that has no reputation at all, that timeshare company is most likely a scammer so stay alert!
Tip #2: Resort Network
Today’s top vacation club providers are part of an extended network of resorts. This allows their members to enjoy vacations at various locations instead of just one resort, no matter how great it is. Most legitimate timeshare companies prefer to be in a network with other similar resorts as today’s vacation club members want their membership to have more flexibility and variety to vacation at different resort properties within the network. If you come across a timeshare company that is not connected with a network or resort partnership, then they may be a timeshare scammer. Today’s savvy vacation club members demand the added benefit of being able to vacation at different properties as opposed to being limited to one location. If a timeshare company is not part of a network or group, consider that a potential warning sign that they may be a scammer.
Tip #3: Dishonest Sales Rep
Another easy way to avoid a timeshare scam is to consider the sales rep or promoter who is trying to make the sale. All legitimate sales reps that work for reputable providers are given ID’s that they can present to potential clients. The ID will links to them the resort they claim to work for. Make sure you always ask any sales representative to show you their proper identification before you waste your time or sign up for a sales presentation. When a sales rep cannot produce a valid ID or has a lot of excuses about why they cannot produce the proper identification, then they most likely scammers at work. In addition, where did the sales representative contact you? Scammers are not authorized to promote in shopping centers or the airport, so when you come into contact with a sales representative around town, be very careful. Make sure to ask for valid identification and you will protect yourself from becoming a timeshare scam victim.
Tip #4: Beware of Off Site Activity
Another important warning sign that a timeshare scam may be in progress is when the sales representative speaks to you about a particular resort, but then takes you to a different resort for a tour. This is a big indicator that a timeshare scam is underway. In addition, where did the sales representative perform the sales presentation? If they rushed you through a tour at the resort, but then quickly took you off-site to sign the membership contract, this is a major timeshare scam red flag. If any sales representative performs a sales presentation off site or asks you to sign the contract a different location outside of the resort, then they are most likely a timeshare scammer so take care and stay safe.
Tip #5: Follow Your Gut
Our tip 5 relates to the general feeling you got when dealing with the promoter and the experience in general. Did you have an overall feeling of unease when speaking or listening to the sales rep? Did you catch them in little white lies? If so, you may be at risk for a scam. Legitimate timeshare sales representatives are professional, honest, and not permitted to provide incorrect or dishonest information about resort membership plans. If something just feels off, don’t ignore that feeling and trust your instincts. We hope that these top 5 tips for avoiding timeshare scams in 2019 help you. A vacation club membership with a genuine and reputable timeshare company is an excellent opportunity and investment for you.
