You already feel taken advantage of by your timeshare. The last thing you need is to get scammed again by a company promising to help you exit.
Unfortunately, the timeshare exit industry has its share of bad actors. Some are outright fraudsters who take your money and disappear. Others are legitimate-sounding companies that overpromise and underdeliver, leaving you out thousands of dollars with nothing to show for it.
Here are the red flags that should make you walk away.
Red Flag #1: Unsolicited Phone Calls
If a company calls you out of the blue claiming they have a buyer for your timeshare or can get you out immediately, hang up. Legitimate exit companies don't cold call timeshare owners. These callers often got your information from public records or timeshare owner lists sold on the black market.
The classic cold call scam goes like this: "We have a buyer lined up for your timeshare! We just need a small upfront fee to process the transfer." You pay the fee. The buyer mysteriously falls through. They ask for more money. This cycle continues until you wise up.
Red Flag #2: Large Upfront Fees with No Guarantees
Be extremely cautious of any company asking for thousands of dollars upfront before they've done any work. Especially if they won't put a money-back guarantee in writing. Legitimate companies may charge fees, but they should offer some form of protection if they can't deliver results.
Ask these questions before paying anything:
- What exactly will my money pay for?
- What happens if you can't exit my timeshare?
- Is there a written money-back guarantee?
- What's your timeline for completion?
- Can I see proof of successful exits for my resort?
Red Flag #3: Pressure to Act Immediately
"This offer expires today!" "We only have three spots left this month!" "Your maintenance fees are about to go up—you need to act now!" Sound familiar? These are the same high-pressure tactics timeshare salespeople use. Legitimate exit companies don't need to pressure you into quick decisions.
A reputable company will give you time to:
- Review their contract thoroughly
- Research their reputation online
- Consult with family or advisors
- Compare them to other options
Red Flag #4: Guarantees That Sound Too Good to Be True
"100% guaranteed exit in 30 days!" "We've never failed to exit a timeshare!" If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Every timeshare situation is different, and no company can guarantee results without first reviewing your specific contract and circumstances.
Honest companies will tell you:
- They need to review your situation before making promises
- Timelines vary depending on your resort and contract
- Some cases are more complex than others
- There are no 100% guarantees in this industry
Red Flag #5: No Physical Address or Verifiable History
Can you find a real office address for the company? How long have they been in business? Are there reviews from real customers? Companies that exist only as a phone number and a website are risky. Scammers can set up a professional-looking site in hours and disappear just as quickly.
How to Protect Yourself
Before working with any timeshare exit company:
- Check the BBB - Look for complaints and how they were resolved
- Search for reviews - Google the company name plus "reviews," "complaints," and "scam"
- Verify their address - A P.O. box isn't enough; look for a real office
- Ask for references - Specifically ask for clients who had your same resort
- Read the contract carefully - What exactly are they promising? What's the refund policy?
- Trust your gut - If something feels off, it probably is
What Legitimate Companies Look Like
While you should always do your due diligence, legitimate timeshare exit companies typically:
- Have a verifiable physical address and phone number
- Have been in business for several years with a track record
- Offer written contracts with clear terms
- Provide some form of money-back guarantee
- Don't pressure you into immediate decisions
- Are transparent about their process and realistic about timelines
- Have real reviews from verified customers
Already Been Scammed?
If you've already paid money to a fraudulent exit company:
- Document everything - Save all emails, contracts, and payment records
- Report it - File complaints with your state Attorney General, the FTC, and the BBB
- Dispute the charges - If you paid by credit card, you may be able to dispute the charges
- Consult an attorney - You may have legal recourse to recover your money
Don't let one bad experience stop you from finding legitimate help. Good companies do exist—you just need to know how to find them.
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