Timeshare exit scams: From fake buyers to recovery fraud
ESET details timeshare exit scams hitting owners trying to quit contracts: upfront-fee fraud, fake buyers, shell-LLC transfers, and double-dip recovery scams.
ESET WeLiveSecurity describes scammers cashing in on a timeshare market worth nearly $20 billion in 2025 by targeting owners seeking exits. Five recurring schemes: take-the-fee-and-vanish outfits, fake title transfers to shell LLCs that leave owners legally liable, fake mass-tort/class-action solicitations demanding retainers, fake resale buyers requiring upfront payments, and recovery scams that buy victim lists and impersonate government agencies or law firms. Victims are advised to dispute card charges, attempt wire recalls, and report to the FTC, FBI, and state attorneys general.
- Five schemes: vanish-with-fee, shell-LLC transfers, fake lawsuits, fake buyers, recovery fraud
- Scammers cold-call owners found via real estate records and charge thousands upfront
- Recovery scammers buy victim lists and impersonate agencies or recovery firms
- Victims should dispute charges and report to FTC, FBI, and state attorneys general
From the original article
6 min read at welivesecurity.com
Con artists are targeting timeshare owners who want out – and some victims are hit twice
welivesecurity.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.