Recent FBI reports have highlighted a concerning trend: timeshare Owners are increasingly being targeted by fraudulent activities using a combination of high-pressure sales tactics and online deception. While this trend is alarming, there’s reassurance in knowing that the FBI is aggressively investigating such crimes, with the full backing of Bluegreen Vacations.
Learn more about protecting yourself from these scams through our informative article below.
MAKING CONTACT
Fraudsters offer timeshare services via various channels.
RESEARCH
Scammers gather detailed information about properties and owners.
BUILDING TRUST
Complex schemes unfold in stages.
SECONDARY SCAMS
Requests for money come with fake offers to recoup losses.
Fraudulent timeshare schemes usually begin with someone getting in touch to say they can rent, sell or advertise your vacation ownership or exchange benefits. This could be via a phone call, email, letter or even an online pop-up ad. This is a specific issue for Owners of timeshare properties in Mexico, who should be on high alert following recent incidents of fraud committed by cartel organizations (more information on these specific events provided by the U.S. Treasury department can be found here.
Scammers do their homework before making contact, gathering detailed information about both the properties and their Owners. They go to great lengths to create an appearance of legitimacy, often fabricating elaborate documentation to support their schemes. Modern scams are often complex and multilayered and can take place over several months to gain the victim’s trust and raise their chances of success.
Initially, fraudsters will repeatedly ask for advance payments until the victim runs out of money or realizes their deception. The FBI reports that months later, scammers pose as law firms, offering to help victims recoup the lost money. In the final phase, perpetrators may impersonate government agencies claiming that the victims’ payments to the timeshare service were linked to illicit activities. They then demand payment to “clear” the victims’ names.
Many scams may look or sound legitimate at first glance, and it can be easy to fall prey to them if you don’t know what to look for. The good news is that there are key red flags to watch out for.
The first thing to consider is the offer itself. If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. We recommend being suspicious of unsolicited sales messages because if someone asks for upfront fees, it’s likely a scam. Second, always be wary if someone asks for your personal details, especially if it’s information they should have on record. You should never provide details over the phone to someone you don’t know.
Another red flag is how the offer is communicated. Many scammers are notorious for using phishing emails, which are cleverly designed to look like they’re from Bluegreen Vacations or one of our partners. These emails mainly promise to sell or transfer your ownership. Luckily, Owners can pay attention to specific email elements to identify their legitimacy.
For example, the message on the right was sent from a non-Bluegreen Vacations email address, uses an unusual greeting and, most importantly, does not have Bluegreen Vacations branding at the bottom. Always ensure emails are from the official Bluegreen Vacations address you usually receive correspondence from.
In addition, always read the correspondence you receive carefully, as fraudulent documents often contain inconsistencies and grammatical errors. If you’re unsure about any emails, letters or phone calls you receive, contact Bluegreen Vacations here for advice:
CONTACT
The FBI recently shared proactive tips to guard against timeshare fraud scams:
There are two main reasons why timeshare fraud goes unreported: victims are unaware that they’re being scammed or don’t know that assistance is available. Timeshare fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated and there is nothing embarrassing about falling victim to a scam.
You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by selecting File a Complaint in the menu at the top of the page. Finally, if you made any payments using a credit card, contact your bank and request a stop payment immediately.
For additional resources, including videos, flyers and other articles, visit our Timeshare Fraud Education page.
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