Help > Owner Information > Third-Party Exit Company Fraud Alert
Protect Yourself Against Fraud
Unscrupulous third parties are increasingly trying to defraud consumers, specifically timeshare owners. These third-party exit companies often say they can rent, sell or advertise your timeshare exchange benefits, or may even claim you have weeks, certificates or Points you have not used and they can help sell on your behalf.
The good news is third-party exit company schemes often follow the same patterns and use similar tactics. There are ways to protect yourself from these scams, and the first step is knowing how to identify them.
Read below for tips on how to identify fraudulent offers and common exit company scams, educational tools and resources, and how to report an incident to HGV.
Tips to Identify an Exit Company Scam
- If the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be suspicious of pre-recorded sales messages.
- If someone is asking for upfront fees, it’s likely a scam.
- They ask for personal information, especially information they should have on record.
Common Exit Company Schemes
- Elimination of fees, including homeowners associations fees, or contract cancellations.
- Offers to rent your timeshare exchange benefits.
- Offers to buy or sell your timeshare.
- Paid ownership transfers.
Click on the images below to learn how you can protect your timeshare exchange benefits, get more information about the common scam tactics, and what to do if you’ve been contacted.
Educational Tools & Resources
Following is a list of educational tools and other resources for more information on the topic:
- “A Guide to Spotting Exit Company Fraud” — The article identifies common fraudulent schemes and details how scammers work.
- “Tips to Protect Yourself From Exit Company Schemes” — The article shares tips to help you fend off scammers and keep your HGV timeshare exchange benefits safe.
- “Educate Yourself: Avoid Fraudulent Exit Companies” — This blog provides additional information on third-party exit companies and their tactics.
- “Kiplinger’s Report: Don’t Fall for Timeshare Exit Scams” — The blog discusses a Kiplinger story on exit company scams that are targeting older timeshare owners.
- American Resort Development Association — The website provides helpful information for timeshare owners, including Consumer Advisories with the latest news and scam alerts in the resale market.
- Better Business Bureau study — The study provides insights into third-party exit companies based on complaints and documents from more than 400 consumers who believed they were victimized by exit companies in the Springfield, Illinois area.
- Federal Trade Commission — The government agency provides articles and blogs on the topic. To access these, type “timeshare resale scams” in the search bar.
- List of Third-Party Exit Companies — Check out this page from RCI for a list of potential offenders, including: Praetorian Legal, Club Class/ ITRA/ RCI Action Group, www.timesharecompensation.co.uk, sellmytimeshare.tv/Monster Rewards SL, EZE Group and Luxury Linx.
Reporting Incidents to HGV
If you think you’ve been contacted by a fraudulent third-party exit company, follow the three steps below:
- Contact HGV. Complete the Incident Intake Questionnaire and email it to us at Privacy.Matters@HGVC.com.
- Contact the Attorney General’s Office. You may also file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office in the state where you reside. Not sure how to find your AG’s office? Click here to find a location.
- Stop payment immediately. If you paid the scammer via a credit card, contact your card company and request a stop payment. Request a stop payment with your bank if you’ve paid by check.
Additional Owner Resources
Besides protecting your vacation ownership benefits against fraudulent exit company tactics, it is equally important to learn about the communications you can expect from Hilton Grand Vacations. Throughout the year, we will communicate with you about different aspects of your timeshare ownership. These communications include emails or letters regarding:
- HOA billing statements.
- Taxpayer identification information.
- Retraction communication from Resort Legal Team.
- Financial verification notices.
- HGV’s privacy policy, notice of error and credit reporting process.
When in doubt, visit the Owner Information webpage for more details.
Remember: Always be vigilant about any unsolicited offers to sell, rent or advertise your timeshare and reach out to us immediately for any questions or concerns.
