I worked at a timeshare SCAM....I want to tell you about it.

I just wanted to reply to one of the comments in this thread..

Understand that I am by no means condoning the practices of many/all of the so-called timeshare advertising & resale companies around that conduct their businesses on the absolute edge of any statutory restrictions (or those even that pop up and step over the legal line to defraud consumers); however, to those of you who look to the legal system for relief against these people let me suggest that it is the legal system itself that allows this activity to take place (and for that matter forbids any actually effective retribution for the unfortunate victims in some cases).

Most of these companies ARE "legitimate" in so far as the government is concerned (Go get a $50,000 surety bond, $1500 state license and, basically, run amok with your clients credit cards).

I just think it is delusional to think a day will come when the 'law' will prevent acts of fraud when it is wholly ineffective for doing anything of the sort. The only way to stop this type of activity is with education and the very active efforts of SOCIETY to provide a better alternative to the long-abused timeshare community -- It's already happening.. This site proves exactly my point -- it just takes time.

amyv41 wrote:

2 years ago I worked at a timeshare scam. I am a single mother .... ... As you may be able to imagine I was having a worldly & spirally binding war within my self. ... As you already know my faith, my spirit and my fear of god brought me to my senses. ... I was not quiet about it so they FIRED me. I expected as much. I needed to be fired to clear my conscious.

Good luck to all and I am sorry if I hurt you who ever you are.

It sounds like your experience with the TS scam wasn't the only time you faced a struggle between wordly and spiritual aspects of life. You also lost both times.

Being fired isn't an heroic act. I doesn't clear your conscious. Quitting and reporting what you know does. Where to report? BBB, Letter to the Editor, Attorney General, other governmental agencies for consumers.

You see, most of us who are spiritual apply our beliefs to the way we behave and how we care for others in this world.

Fussing at the boss takes no courage, and has no real effect. Reporting to the proper authorities, and gathering information for them, does. I know. I have done that. It resulted in our state legislature passing new laws to protect consumers. I was a customer, not an employee.

A simple "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it when you scam someone. Calling your bosses the "lowest of the low" means you were the assistant and executive "lowest of the low." So which business was it where you worked?

carries, amy DID REPORT it to the attorney general as you can very well read in the thread below. Once again you have not read all posts in this thread concerning the subject matter, just as you did not read all posts concerning otto's dilemma before you jumped in with your judgemental comments.

amy's reason for getting fired was her outspokeness against the company's upfront fee tactics. I, myself, find her a hero.

carries, do you happen to work for an upfront fee resale company by any chance?

jayjay wrote: P.S. I would report this company and its scam tactics to the Florida Attorney General.

I hope that all upfront fee timeshare resale companies are, one day, run completely out of business by the law.

amy wrote: "I did but apparently they need more than just me to tell them what is going on there."

carries25 wrote:

Being fired isn't an heroic act. I doesn't clear your conscious. Quitting and reporting what you know does. Where to report? BBB, Letter to the Editor, Attorney General, other governmental agencies for consumers.

jayjay wrote:

carries, amy DID REPORT it to the attorney general as you can very well read in the thread below. Once again you have not read all posts in this thread concerning the subject matter, just as you did not read all posts concerning otto's dilemma before you jumped in with your judgemental comments.

amy's reason for getting fired was her outspokeness against the company's upfront fee tactics. I, myself, find her a hero.

carries, do you happen to work for an upfront fee resale company by any chance?

jayjay wrote: P.S. I would report this company and its scam tactics to the Florida Attorney General.

I hope that all upfront fee timeshare resale companies are, one day, run completely out of business by the law.

amy wrote: "I did but apparently they need more than just me to tell them what is going on there."

carries25 wrote:

Being fired isn't an heroic act. I doesn't clear your *conscience*. Quitting and reporting what you know does. Where to report? BBB, Letter to the Editor, Attorney General, other governmental agencies for consumers.

I am a retired physician. I have always looked for effective ways to handle problems. I have been responsible for changes in laws and company policies when I am really irritated by scams and officious responses. I have never worked in any aspect of the timeshare industry.

The AG is looking for "best evidence." This can mean documentation of illegal acts with the company's own records. You don't have to copy or steal them, just know where they are and what they show. Our AG won a $4M judgement against a furniture store when I supplied this best evidence thirty years ago.

Otherwise, an angry phone call may just be considered gossip or retribution by a former employee, especially one who didn't have the courage of their convictions to quit, but was fired. As you know, arguing with a crook is a completely worthless activity, requiring no courage.

Of course I read a thread before responding. That does not mean I will not state my opinion as I see it.

It's true that the law will never eliminate scams, just as it will not eliminate running a stop sign. But if you know how the legal system works, you will often prevail.

So again, Amy, exactly where did you work? We all can learn to recognize a scam artist if we know who it is.

Timeshare Scams will not work if Sellers do not send the Scam Artist any money. Beware of whom you are dealing with. How can you tell if it is a Scam Artist? If he asks you for money up front or ahead of the closing it is generally a scam. All fees can be taken out of a closing if your timeshare is truly sold. If you are advertising your unit yourself on a reputable advertising website you should not pay more than $50.00 for an ad.

ditto !

timesharejudi wrote:

Timeshare Scams will not work if Sellers do not send the Scam Artist any money. Beware of whom you are dealing with. How can you tell if it is a Scam Artist? If he asks you for money up front or ahead of the closing it is generally a scam. All fees can be taken out of a closing if your timeshare is truly sold. If you are advertising your unit yourself on a reputable advertising website you should not pay more than $50.00 for an ad.

I would like to report 2 companies to the AG and BBB for taking up front money from me over 2 years and never selling my timeshares. Can you help me with names and address of the AG and BBB. Thank you. Mary mevadino@aol.com

Below is a list of organizations to contact if a timeshare company has ever scammed you:

The Bureau of Timeshare 1-800-226-9101

Better Business Bureau 151 Wymore Road, Suite 100, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (407) 621-3300 www.orlando.bbb.org

Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0750 (407) 245-0800 www.state.fl.us/dbpr http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/re/forms/re-2200.pdf

http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/forms/complaint_english.pdf http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/information/faq_resale.shtml

ARDA (American Resort Development Association) 200 E. Robinson Street, Suite 1170, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 245-7601 www.arda.org http://www.arda.org/apps/cnsmrs/complaints/

GMAC Real Estate Renita Brown Communications Mgr (800) 214-1667 It is difficult to find a number to complain to at GMAC

Century 21 Corporation Attn: President, 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054 1-877-221-2765

Osceola County State Attorney (407) 343-3200

U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs 750 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006 1-800-644-4435 gopher://marvel.loc.gov/00/federal/fedinfo/byagency/executive/consumer/usoca.helpline

Office of Attorney General Bob Butterworth State of Florida, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 http://www.state.fl.us/itflorida/bobbutterworth.html Voice: (850) 487-1963, Fax: (850) 487-2564 ag@oag.state.fl.us http://legal.firn.edu/ Florida Division of Consumer Services 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Rhodes Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500 (Florida Only) 1-800-435-7352 Main #: (850) 922-2966 Web site: http://www.800helpfla.com/ To stop telemarketers from calling you. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/donotcall/index.html

timesharejudi wrote:

Below is a list of organizations to contact if a timeshare company has ever scammed you: ...

www.bbbonline.org

Also check your phone book for governmental agencies for your state for the AG and Consumer Affairs and Real Estate groups.

Just keep asking who to report to, and what do they need.

I like timesharejudi's approach. There is no law against being stupid, or we'd all be in jail. In a free country, you are free to be just that, and to give your money to anyone for anything.

Education is the best approach.

norin wrote:

Amyv41,

I have posted on this forum detailing my scam experience with Land Ahoy properties. They are based in Orlando too. What company did you work for? Have you heard of Land Ahoy Properties at all?

Do tell, PLEASE!!!

I, too have been scammed by Land Ahoy, taking my money then never hearing from them. IBD Marketing is a huge rip-off as well, but I scared them into giving my money back....every cent back. They are all money-hungry, selfish, classless lowlife's. I have learned a lesson.

timesharejudi wrote:

Below is a list of organizations to contact if a timeshare company has ever scammed you:

The Bureau of Timeshare 1-800-226-9101

Better Business Bureau 151 Wymore Road, Suite 100, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (407) 621-3300 www.orlando.bbb.org

Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0750 (407) 245-0800 www.state.fl.us/dbpr http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/re/forms/re-2200.pdf

http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/forms/complaint_english.pdf http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/information/faq_resale.shtml

ARDA (American Resort Development Association) 200 E. Robinson Street, Suite 1170, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 245-7601 www.arda.org http://www.arda.org/apps/cnsmrs/complaints/

GMAC Real Estate Renita Brown Communications Mgr (800) 214-1667 It is difficult to find a number to complain to at GMAC

Century 21 Corporation Attn: President, 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054 1-877-221-2765

Osceola County State Attorney (407) 343-3200

U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs 750 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006 1-800-644-4435 gopher://marvel.loc.gov/00/federal/fedinfo/byagency/executive/consumer/usoca.helpline

Office of Attorney General Bob Butterworth State of Florida, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 http://www.state.fl.us/itflorida/bobbutterworth.html Voice: (850) 487-1963, Fax: (850) 487-2564 ag@oag.state.fl.us http://legal.firn.edu/ Florida Division of Consumer Services 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Rhodes Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500 (Florida Only) 1-800-435-7352 Main #: (850) 922-2966 Web site: http://www.800helpfla.com/ To stop telemarketers from calling you. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/donotcall/index.html

If any responses came back, they were form letters stating they'd "look into it" It'd be nice but probably illegal to start a list of these scammers. Perhaps a list of reputable resale companies would be more useful and take less effort... (;o}

Has anyone heard of IBD Marketing. I think it is a scam and I'm tryimg to get my money back. Is ther any place that will sell your timeshare with out a big fee up front ?

sheilaswangerworkflowonecoms wrote:

Has anyone heard of IBD Marketing. I think it is a scam and I'm tryimg to get my money back. Is ther any place that will sell your timeshare with out a big fee up front ?

IBD Marketing got $1324.00 from me, but I complained enough that they gave me my money back. I was persistant and threatened to get an attorney involved. I will have an attorney write to Land Ahoy in hopes that they will return my $400.00.

bruce727 wrote:

timesharejudi wrote:

Below is a list of organizations to contact if a timeshare company has ever scammed you:

The Bureau of Timeshare 1-800-226-9101

Better Business Bureau 151 Wymore Road, Suite 100, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (407) 621-3300 www.orlando.bbb.org

Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0750 (407) 245-0800 www.state.fl.us/dbpr http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/re/forms/re-2200.pdf

http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/forms/complaint_english.pdf http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/timeshare/information/faq_resale.shtml

ARDA (American Resort Development Association) 200 E. Robinson Street, Suite 1170, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 245-7601 www.arda.org http://www.arda.org/apps/cnsmrs/complaints/

GMAC Real Estate Renita Brown Communications Mgr (800) 214-1667 It is difficult to find a number to complain to at GMAC

Century 21 Corporation Attn: President, 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054 1-877-221-2765

Osceola County State Attorney (407) 343-3200

U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs 750 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006 1-800-644-4435 gopher://marvel.loc.gov/00/federal/fedinfo/byagency/executive/consumer/usoca.helpline

Office of Attorney General Bob Butterworth State of Florida, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 http://www.state.fl.us/itflorida/bobbutterworth.html Voice: (850) 487-1963, Fax: (850) 487-2564 ag@oag.state.fl.us http://legal.firn.edu/ Florida Division of Consumer Services 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Rhodes Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500 (Florida Only) 1-800-435-7352 Main #: (850) 922-2966 Web site: http://www.800helpfla.com/ To stop telemarketers from calling you. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/donotcall/index.html

I printed this list of agencies for my records. I've reported some scammers after they got me to "list" with them and or disappeared. (I've been conned more than once.) I usually pay too much for cars also...

If any responses came back, they were form letters stating they'd "look into it" It'd be nice but probably illegal to start a list of these scammers. Perhaps a list of reputable resale companies would be more useful and take less effort... (;o}

On the contrary, there are hundreds of timeshare upfront resale companies that have been in business for many years and it seems new ones pop up everyday. There's a goldmine in owning or working at such a company.

Upfront fee resale companies take advantage of desperate people who need/want to sell their timeshare, and many of those people will pay a fee in the hundreds of dollars in the hopes that they will sell their timeshare. Some people have even been scammed twice or more by upfront fee resale companies.

There are very few resale companies that do not charge an upfront fee and the few I've found are listed in the 'no upfront fee resale companies' in this forum. These type companies charge a flat rate ($1500) if they sell your timeshare or 15% of the selling price over a certain amount.

The entire upfront fee resale business needs a major overhaul and getting government agenicies involved is the way to go. If they start getting complaints in the thousands, then they will have to do something.

Quote:

A list of reputable resale Companies and methods of resale would be more useful as the scammers don't last long unless they are big. We know who the big ones are!

To update my saga from above (charged-no contract-want refund)...

I got ahold of Bank of America (my CC company) and they said they wouldn't do anything until I tried to get a refund myself. OK-got ahold of Legacy and they said I had to put the request in writing. Did that and about 10 days later I got a phone call stating that they had received it (I sent it 2nd day AOD so I knew when they got it) and they would call back within a week to set up the refund. I have no idea why it would take a week but OK---

2 weeks later, I got a call from the sales rep again stating that he had the unit ready to sell (LOL) and would be sending out papers for me to sign. I told him I was requesting a refund and if he wanted to sell my unit I had better receive something from him ASAP (that was about 4 days ago-he said I would have something the following day). I didn't hear anything so I called their office today.

They said that the rep had told them I no longer wanted a refund. To which I replied something like "bullpucky!". They have again agreed to refund my money (minus a processing fee which comes to about $140) BUT they want to send a certified check rather than issue a credit against my credit card. They say it would take 30 days for a CC credit AND it (a CC credit request) would be suspicious as FRAUD. Imagine-now they're telling me I might be scamming them!!!

I'm afraid that any check I get from them (if I'm lucky enough to get one) will be fake/bounce/have payment stopped. I've worked retail and done daily books for a large store and know that CC refunds DON'T take 30 days or normally raise any FRAUD alerts. I'm forwarding their email to BOA. At this point the $140 processing fee isn't a big concern to me I just want the rest of my $ back and can write off the 140 as a lesson learned.

I'm going to be in Orlando in a few weeks and would pay them a visit in Mt Dora (if I thought they had a real office) LOL

monte, keep us informed ... kudos to you !

They emailed me a little while ago saying that they can have a check to me by the end of next week.

I'm still confused as to why they would rather do that then just issue a credit against my bank card. It still has me wondering just what's up with that!

monte12 wrote:

They emailed me a little while ago saying that they can have a check to me by the end of next week.

I'm still confused as to why they would rather do that then just issue a credit against my bank card. It still has me wondering just what's up with that!

Hi My guess is that they are stalling you, because there is a limited time period, I don't recall the number of days, to dispute a credit card charge. Send a letter to your credit card company immediately disputing the charge, so that the time period in which you can dispute the charge has not expired. If you wait, it is my opinion that the check will never arrive and the time period to file the dispute will expire. Stan.

This story is better than a soap. I say file in writing immediately to preserve your rights. I believe that's what it says in the fine print on your CC bill and contract. Nothing in words counts, only that in writing.