Three Florida timeshare resale companies have had lawsuits filed against them by Attorney General Bill McCollum. The companies are being accused of unfair practices and using deceptive methods to encourage consumers to spend large amounts of money to have their timeshares advertised for resale with the companies. Four different companies were also served with subpoenas in the Tampa Bay area alone.
The lawsuits are seeking restitution for the consumers who lost their money because of these companies. There were also court orders placed that make sure these companies repay what they took as well as never commit violations in the future. Instances mentioned in the lawsuits are that false promises were made to consumers promising that a buyer was willing and able to pay for the client’s timeshare.
The Attorney General is also trying to force the companies to be upfront to potential customers by providing written disclosure of the company’s success rate selling timeshares. The groups are also accused of using sales tactics that are misleading. One company has had over 180 complaints filed with the attorney general since 2007. Also noted in violations was that a certain company charged its users credit cards before the consumer ever got receipt of signed contracts.
Florida has had a statewide program that started in 2009 where they have pursued timeshare resellers with their crimes division. The Attorney General has paired with local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to fight timeshare fraud. The Florida Attorney General’s office has recovered close to $2 million for consumers.
Timeshare resale companies can often scam timeshare owners into paying for their timeshare to be sold when in actuality they do nothing but take your money. Why not go with a company that has tens of thousands of already satisfied customers and a name you can trust like Transfer America. A track record like theirs speaks for itself.
