SCAM LIBRARY · BUYING & SELLING
The timeshare-resale scam
Scammers pose as resale specialists promising to quickly sell your timeshare, but they're really after an upfront fee you'll never recover.
Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-07
How it works
You're contacted (often out of the blue) by someone claiming they have eager buyers lined up for your timeshare. They create urgency by suggesting the opportunity won't last and pressure you to pay a processing, listing, or deposit fee upfront before any buyer materializes. Once paid, the scammer disappears and no sale ever happens.
What it can look like
You receive a call from someone saying they specialize in timeshare resale and have a qualified buyer ready—but first you need to wire a fee to 'secure' the transaction or 'process paperwork.' After you pay, the buyer vanishes, calls stop returning, and your money is gone.
Red flags
- You're contacted unexpectedly with promises of a quick, guaranteed sale.
- They insist on upfront payment before any serious buyer is actually introduced.
- They create artificial time pressure ('This deal expires today').
- They avoid answering questions about the actual buyer or provide vague details.
- They ask you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency—methods that are nearly impossible to reverse.
What to do
- Never pay any fee before speaking directly to a real, independent buyer and having a written contract reviewed by a lawyer.
- Verify the company's legitimacy by researching them independently (don't use contact info they provide).
- Report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov so authorities can track patterns and protect others.