Watch for the recent timeshare scam: "Barbara Giorgio" is hard of hearing

If you receive a request to buy your timeshare from "Barbara Giorgio", IT IS A SCAM. They will "negotiate" with you by e-mail and eventually, you will get the following e-mail. DON'T FALL FOR IT:

Just to let you know that I had to travel and will be away from home for the next 6 weeks. I do not know if I have mentioned this before but I have a disability. I was informed by the hospital which I am registered with that a new hearing aid which is supposed to be able to restore 30% of my hearing ability has just been delivered and they would like to test run it with me. This is impromptu so I had to make speedy arrangements. I tried to reach my broker yesterday and today but I got an auto response that he is currently out of the country on business. I have however sent him numerous email messages along with your contact information and expect him to be in touch with you as soon as he receives my messages. Because I was unable to contact Samuel to send his brokerage fees, title transfer fees and escrow fees, I visited my bank and got a cashiers check for $2900 which I have also mailed out to you. Upon receipt, I would need you to deposit the check, funds should be available immediately, I would need you to deduct your Ernest deposit of $500, this is to affirm my willingness and seriousness to buy this property and fend off other offers while closing processes are arranged by my broker. Then, forward the balance $2400 to Mr Samuel Kaplan as his fees for your timeshare closing and escrow charges whenever he gets in touch with you. It is my assumption that Samuel will provide additional instructions on how to get the fees to him. He is my personal broker and would be responsible for all the documentation and deed of transfer. Samuel will work with First American title transfer company who would be handling the closing. Please note that the balance for your timeshare would be held in escrow. As soon as Samuel gets in touch with you and finalizes the sale, the balance will be released to you before you transfer the title deed. Please notify me as soon as you receive contact from Samuel. Do watch out for any mails to your address and also notify me as soon as you receive my check. Although I am away from home, I would still have access regularly to my email and would be in touch throughout the process.

Good for you for not falling for this. However, this is by no means "recent". Look in the Buying, Selling, and Renting section for the thread with the names Albert Brown or Judy something.

It's the same M.O.

Sounds like a new version of the Nigerian lottery scam.

Sounds familiar. Below is emails I received from Genevieve R White, also hearing impaired. New twist - not asking me to send money, will pay for all closing cost and transfer fee. Of course through her broker. Still waiting for the $500 check and hearing from her broker, but I won't hold my breath.

I'm interested to know more about the timeshare you have available for sell. Kindly tell me more about the unit and the utilities included.

Thank you for your response to my inquiry regarding your timeshare. I am interested in purchasing it. I am a private buyer. Are you a private owner or a broker?

I would like you to confirm the information on the ad such as weeks of availability for the year and your asking price. Can your resort be exchanged via RCI or interval? What is your asking price? I will make you an offer when I hear from you.

Thanks for the details. Having reviewed all the information provided, I have made my offer as clearly as possible below.

1- I will be willing to pay $4,800 for your timeshare, closing will commence within the next few days.

2- I am hearing impaired in both ears and as a result, I will doing all closing formalities through my broker. I will be responsible for the closing cost and title transfer fees along with my broker fees.

3- Closing will be done through First American title transfer(www.firstam.com/title) and funds will be held in Escrow during closing.

Let me know if this works and I will inform you on the next step. Thank you for accepting my offer. Please provide below information so I can mail in a deposit of $500 dollars to hold the property. As soon as deposit is mailed in, my broker will be in touch to arrange documentation and title transfer and upon satisfaction, balance for your timeshare would be released from escrow.

Full names you want on the check Mailing address Phone numbers.

Please add me to the growing list of targets. This one was named Susan Silberbusch along with Samuel Kaplan. The emails are exactly the same as the ones posted.

This last one about the hospital stay and the broker away in Europe caught my attention real quick. I googled the name Samual Kaplan and everything was there in black and white.

As the saying goes, if it's too good to be true....

Be careful time share owners.

lancec13 wrote:

Good for you for not falling for this. However, this is by no means "recent". Look in the Buying, Selling, and Renting section for the thread with the names Albert Brown or Judy something.

It's the same M.O.

They are still out there. My email was from Anne Singer. Same MO about can't hear and will use a broker for escrow. I sent her back and email saying "You have been busted"

Here is the latest one. By the one thanks to everyone who take the time to place these alerts on the Internet. The Internet can be a great tool when used properly. God Bless all of you:

This email comes from Barbara Russ with Samuel Boas as broker: Just to let you know that I had to travel and will be away from home for the next 6 weeks. I do not know if I have mentioned this before but I have a disability. I was informed by the hospital which I am registered with that a new hearing aid which is supposed to be able to restore 30% of my hearing ability has just been delivered and they would like to test run it with me. This is impromptu so I had to make speedy arrangements. I tried to reach my broker yesterday and today but I got an auto response that he is currently out of the country on business. I have however sent him numerous email messages along with your contact information and expect him to be in touch with you as soon as he receives my messages. Because I was unable to contact Samuel to send his brokerage fees, title transfer fees and escrow fees, I visited my bank and got a cashiers check for 2,900 dollars which I have also mailed out to you. Upon receipt, please deposit the check, funds should be available immediately, I would need you to deduct your earnest deposit of 500 dollars, this is to affirm my willingness and seriousness to buy this property and fend off other offers while closing processes are arranged by my broker. Then, forward the balance 2,400 dollars to Mr Samuel Boas as his fees for your timeshare closing, First American title service charges and escrow fees whenever he gets in touch with you. It is my assumption that Samuel will provide additional instructions on how to get the fees to him. Samuel Boas is my personal broker and would be responsible for all the documentation and deed of transfer. Samuel will work with First American title transfer company who would be handling the closing. Note that the balance for your timeshare would be held in escrow. As soon as my broker gets in touch with you and finalizes the sale, the balance will be released to you before you transfer the title deed. Please notify me as soon as you receive contact from Samuel. Do watch out for any mails to your address and notify me as soon as you receive my check. Although I am away from home, I would still have access regularly to my email and would be in touch throughout the process. If you need to reach me quickly, you can send me a text. Thanks for your understanding and sorry for the minor inconvenience. Please respond to this email so I am aware that you have received my message.