Protect Yourself From Exit Company Fraud

Beware of calls from third-party companies claiming to represent Hilton Grand Vacations Image by Ronstik/Shutterstock

How to recognize a third-party exit company scam — and what to do about it

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Exit company scams have been making headlines of late, with a growing number of unscrupulous third parties promising consumers an “easy way out” of their vacation ownership. These fraudulent companies claim to be able to help customers sell their timeshare or release them from their contract and annual maintenance fees — typically for an exorbitant upfront charge. At the end of the day, however, these companies inevitably fail to deliver on their promises. By the time customers discover they are being defrauded, their timeshares will have gone into foreclosure, tarnishing their credit histories. In October 2020, a fraudulent timeshare exit company in Arkansas was ordered by the state’s court to pay penalties amounting to $500,000. In January 2021, Diamond Resorts filed additional claims in its ongoing lawsuit against several timeshare exit companies across the United States, denouncing their false advertising and nefarious business practices. The Better Business Bureau issued a consumer alert in February 2021 about a similar venture in Missouri, which was giving misleading sales presentations and failing to cancel customers’ vacation timeshare contracts within promised deadlines. To help our Owners enjoy their vacation ownership as best as possible, we share some tips on how to identify an exit company scam — and what to do if you’re contacted by one of these fraudulent companies.

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For more information on how to protect yourself against third-party scams, visit the Exit Company Fraud Alert page on the Club website.

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Look Out for Red Flags

Always be vigilant. For instance, requests for personal information that should already be on record are a strong indication of a scam at work, as are demands for hefty upfront fees. Extensive paperwork is another common tactic that scammers use to confuse owners about what they are agreeing to. Such companies often make bold claims, promising to help eliminate maintenance fees or cancel your contract entirely. Ultimately, always be wary of any unsolicited offers to sell, rent or advertise your vacation ownership benefits. Hilton Grand Vacations will never call or send an unsolicited email or letter promising to rent, list or sell your timeshare and other benefits like RCI vacations. Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Never share personal information with companies offering to sell or rent your vacation ownership Image by Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Know How HGV Does Business

At Hilton Grand Vacations, we do not waiver from our brand standards. If something looks or sounds different from the communications you are used to receiving from HGV, it is likely not from us. For example, we do not leave pre-recorded sales messages. Instead, all our promotional calls are made live by Team Members. Most importantly, HGV does not share your information with companies that would offer to sell or rent your timeshare or related benefits. Finally, we would never ask another party to contact you on our behalf.

Report the Incident

When in doubt, do not engage with the caller or respond to the email. If you do speak with the caller, gather as many details as possible. Whether you engage with the caller or not, always report the incident to us. You can file a report using our Incident Intake Questionnaire. We review inquiries you submit to us and report them as necessary. Remember: We are always here to assist you. If you ever have any questions about how to manage or sell your ownership, or even need financial assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. Visit our Member Solutions page for details.

In September 2019, Member Merwyn O. from Las Vegas received a call from a salesman who knew he owned a property with Hilton Grand Vacations. The salesman likely used public records to find out information about Merwyn’s ownership with HGV. For an upfront fee of $2,400, the salesman offered to advertise his property as a conference space to large corporations such as Expedia, claiming that he would be paid $1,600 for each rental over five years. “I thought it seemed too good to be true. But I was in a rush and it did sound like a good deal,” he recalls. “When I called HGV, they confirmed my worst fears in saying they’d never heard of this company and didn’t work with them.” Fortunately, Merwyn was eventually able to get a refund after speaking with the company, but many other timeshare owners often aren’t so lucky.

A Member’s Narrow Escape