Timeshare Scams to Avoid

There are many legitimate and excellent choices for timeshare ownership in Mexico. These days, there are many satisfied timeshare owners who are very happy with their purchase and enjoy luxury vacations at a variety of beautiful resorts located throughout Mexico. However, there are scammers out there who want to take advantage of timeshare owners and have developed fraudulent companies in hopes of convincing unsuspecting timeshare owners that they are in fact legitimate consulting companies. Read below so you can learn how to protect yourself from falling victim to timeshare scams.

Timeshare Scams

In the past, most people believed that the majority of timeshare scams were related to fraudulent timeshare companies that were selling timeshares illegally. However, today we have seen that scammers have taken a new approach to try to scam people of their hard earned money. They have started to go after current timeshare owners and offer them services where they claim they can resell or cancel their existing timeshare scam. Sometimes, they even offer to sell your old timeshare for you if you purchase a new, upgraded timeshare with their company. They may even claim they have a buyer ready to purchase your old timeshare. The biggest red flag that you are being scammed is that they require you to a pay a fee upfront to get the process going.  Stay alert and beware of any companies who offer these services so you can protect yourself and your timeshare investment!

Timeshare Consultant Scammers

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recently released an advisory warning of timeshare scammers that claimed to work in conjunction with its association. One fraudulent company in particular is working under the name of “Resort Consulting Advocates”.  The advisory shared that the fraudulent company working as "Resort Consulting Advocates" scammed several timeshare owners by claiming to have interested buyers for the unknowing victim’s timeshare property. “Resort Consulting Advocates” even concocted false sale contracts which included a “100% guarantee” on the sale, but in fact they had no buyer and only charged the victim an upfront fee and then disappeared without any further contact with the victim. 

Fraudulent Resellers

“Resort Consulting Advocates” is unfortunately only one of several timeshare scam companies posing as a legitimate company in order to convince timeshare owners to use their services. In order to avoid prosecution by the authorities, many times these companies change their company name in an attempt to avoid getting caught. As a result, timeshare owners are kept in the dark about who they are truly working with, and fall victim to these types of timeshare scams. Make sure you are very cautious anytime you are contacted by a timeshare resale, rental or cancellation company.  It is very likely that these types of companies are run by scammers so you should avoid them at all costs. The safest way to protect yourself and your timeshare investment, is to only deal directly with the timeshare company you purchased from. Make sure to  address any concerns or complaints regarding your timeshare ownership to a trained staff member and not involve a third party who may be working against you to try to take your hard earned money.

Help! I’ve been scammed - what should I do next?

If you believe that a timeshare scammer has contacted you, or you have unfortunately paid an upfront fee and found out too late the company was fake, make sure to immediately contact your timeshare company to alert them of the situation. This is a great way to help the genuine timeshare company to warn other members so they can avoid being scammed themselves. You should also contact the local authorities, the state attorney general and possibly even the Better Business Bureau to file an official complaint as well. This is the best way to prevent other innocent victims from falling prey to the same type of timeshare scam.

Never Pay an Upfront Fee

The best way to prevent a timeshare scam from happening to you is to never pay an upfront fee for third party resale assistance related to your timeshare. Take your time and research any company that offers this kind of services because most are simply timeshare scammers only after your money. Always go directly to the company you bought your legitimate timeshare from, and never involved a third party who claims they can help you. By doing this, you will be safe from scammers and can protect and enjoy your beloved timeshare investment.

Villa del Palmar Timeshares: Safe or not?

Villa Group Resorts is a top quality resort group which includes Villa del Palmar, Villa del Arco, Villa del Mar and Villa La Estancia brands. Villa del Palmar timeshare resorts are found in the top vacation destinations in Mexico including Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and the Islands of Loréto.  Villa del Palmar timeshare resorts include fabulous amenities such as multiple pools, tennis courts, a spa and gym that timeshare members can use alongside regular hotel guests. There are many types of Villa del Palmar timeshare units available such as studio villas, one and two bedroom villas and even penthouses which is determined by the type of timeshare membership you purchase. The best suites and units come to those timeshare members who have Villa Preferred Access.

The Villa Group resorts and Villa del Palmar timeshares brand is one of the top timeshare brands in Mexico and is fully recognized by the ARDA (American Resort Development Association). Although there have been some negative reports of fraudulent timeshare issues, Villa del Palmar resort is a genuine, well respected timeshare membership that has thousands of satisfied customers that have been enjoying their timeshare ownership for decades. The Villa Group and Villa del Palmar is well recognized for having a great reputation and providing excellent customer service to its valued timeshare owners and members. Villa del Palmar sales associates will thoroughly cover all areas of Villa del Palmar timeshare membership during their 90 minute timeshare presentation, and be assured there is nothing inaccurate about the timeshare details. However, if you ever feel that you are being pressured or that the timeshare plan is being misrepresented, reach out to a Villa del Palmar senior staff associate for further assistance.

As with any contract or financial obligation, it is important that you read your entire contract before signing up for a Villa del Palmar timeshare membership. It is important that all details are in writing as verbal promises do not have legal value. Villa del Palmar timeshare ownership is not a scam, so your timeshare contract will be legally binding. Compared to other timeshare companies in Mexico, Villa del Palmar timeshare complaints are fairly rare and the majority of owners and customers are very happy with their purchase or enjoyed incentives they received for attending a Villa del Palmar timeshare presentation, regardless of whether they purchased a timeshare or not.

Villa del Palmar prides itself on providing excellent customer service and prioritizes responding to any timeshare complaints that may occur. Villa del Palmar aims to perform at a high professional level and efficiently serve its members. Villa Group and Villa del Palmar have highly trained agents just a phone call away to assist members with any questions or concerns they may have about their timeshare. In general, the majority of concerns or complaints can be successfully resolved. 

In conclusion, Villa Group and Villa del Palmar timeshare resorts are a superb investment and an ideal location to make memorable vacation moments.  If you decide to attend a Villa del Palmar timeshare presentation, really take in the information you receive and make sure to evaluate how a timeshare membership can enrich your life. And as always, make sure to review the contract details to prevent any erroneous Villa del Palmar timeshare complaints in the future due to not reading the contract carefully the first time.