Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Following is a list of educational tools and other resources for more information on the topic:

• Protect Yourself: 4 Tips to Spot Timeshare Fraud: This informative video highlights four key ways to spot timeshare scams, report suspicious activity and safeguard your private information.
• Sample of fraudulent communication.
• Example 1
• Example 2
• “How to Avoid Falling Victim to Third-Party Exit Fraud” – This article lists four red flags that indicate you are a target of third-party fraud.
• “Protect Yourself From Exit Company Fraud” – Learn how to recognize a third-party exit company scam and how to report it.
• “Third-Party Exit Company Fraud Is on the Rise” – This article shares information on how Owners can be aware of third-party exit scammers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• “Protect Yourself Against Fraud and Keep Your Timeshare Safe” – This article reports on a Club Member who fell victim to third-party fraud and shares how that Member’s situation was resolved.
• “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.
• “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 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, sellmytimeshare.tv/Monster Rewards SL, EZE Group and Luxury Linx.
• VacationTimes.org — This page contains a scrolling feed featuring the latest industry news and timeshare fraud alerts.
• Protect Yourself: How to Recognize and Avoid Timeshare Fraud — This video contains information on how to identify and report timeshare fraud solicitations.

Reporting Timeshare Fraud

If you are a victim of a fraudulent timeshare scheme or have received deceitful solicitations, follow the steps below:

1. Contact the authorities:
• United States: You can 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.
• Europe: Gather as many details of the scam as possible and email them to us at LegalReport@hgv.com.
• Canada: You can report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Provincial Consumer Affairs Regulator.
• All Other Countries: You can report the incident to your regional consumer protection division.
2. 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.
3. Contact us.
• If you received a suspicious solicitation and are unsure whether it’s part of a fraudulent timeshare tactic, contact a Club Counselor here.
• If you’re a victim of a fraudulent timeshare tactic, you can contact us by completing the Incident Intake Questionnaire and emailing it to us at Privacy.Matters@HGVC.com.