You’ve probably seen the ads or received telemarketing phone calls from smooth-talking lawyers or salespeople promising that they have a buyer for your timeshare or guaranteeing that they can help you exit your timeshare ownership in exchange for upfront fees. All of these so-called “timeshare exit companies” use the same dirty tricks to dupe thousands of vacation owners into paying thousands of dollars for empty promises every year.
Diamond Resorts remains committed to shutting down this cottage industry and challenging its deceptive operations in court. State Attorneys General have also taken notice. In just the past year, Attorneys General in Washington, Missouri and Arkansas have all sued timeshare exit companies for alleged fraudulent activity.
As part of our ongoing efforts to warn vacation owners of these risks, we’re releasing a new video featuring the personal stories of owners who have unfortunately been scammed by timeshare exit companies. Legal experts and Diamond Resorts CEO Mike Flaskey also speak to the danger of the third-party exit business.
“My advice to consumers out there is very clear, you should run as fast as you can from timeshare exit companies, they are a big rip off.”
Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods
Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and your family from these scams:
Never Pay an Upfront Fee
One of the hallmarks of timeshare exit companies is charging thousands of dollars — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars — in upfront fees. These companies fail to deliver on their promises and instead leave customers in debt. One vacation owner scammed by an exit company warns that the company she worked with “kept adding more charges,” despite failing to deliver any service. Save your hard-earned money, and never pay these fees.
Don’t Fall for Scare Tactics
Some scammers may contact you claiming to have information about an increase in maintenance fees and other information pertaining to your vacation ownership. This is a common scare tactic used by third-party exit companies. Don’t believe these lies, and call Diamond Resorts directly to discuss any questions.
Work with Diamond Resorts to Make Any Changes to Your Membership
While we passionately believe in the value of vacations, we also understand that life circumstances can change and there may be some members who need to modify their vacation ownership. Diamond Resorts provides options for members seeking to safely modify or leave their vacation ownership behind.
We are committed to doing everything in our power to protect our members and are here to help you. To report suspicious timeshare exit activity or to learn more about exit options available through timeshare developers, visit ResponsibleExit.com.
