Advantage Vacation just received another Consumer Advisory from ARDA regarding deceptive marketing solicitations that are designed to defraud timeshare owners by disreputable companies claiming association with the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

ARDA and its Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC) again, urge all timeshare owners to use caution when receiving any unsolicited marketing calls.

ARDA was contacted by a timeshare owner who said they were contacted by an individual claiming to be associated with ARDA.  The caller invited the owner to attend a presentation and enjoy a free dinner at a local restaurant.  The purpose of the presentation was to educate timeshare owners about recent “changes in the law” pertaining to their timeshare product.

ARDA stated that it is most likely that owners who would attend the “update” presentation would hear only scare tactics about their timeshare ownership and then be coerced into paying large upfront fees in order to get out of their timeshare ownership and eliminate the payment of maintenance fees.

ARDA wants to clearly state that the person who made the call improperly and illegally used ARDA’s name in an attempt to defraud this timeshare owner and potentially others, with the FALSE representation of being affiliated or associated with ARDA.  The caller was and is in no way affiliated with ARDA.

ARDA and ARDA-ROC caution all timeshare owners to be wary of such solicitations.  If you have received a similar call, ARDA urges you to contact your state attorney general and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Advantage Vacation joins with ARDA and ARDA-ROC in encouraging owners to thoroughly research any company before doing business with them or paying any upfront fees.  As I have written about in the past, there are several points to remember should you be contacted by anyone identifying themselves as representing or associated with ARDA, telling you they have a buyer “standing by” to purchase your timeshare, or inviting you to a presentation to update you on current timeshare laws.

1.  Legitimate timeshare resale companies do not use any type of telemarketing or outbound solicitations.

2.  Before attending a presentation or sending any money to anyone, visit the Better Business Bureau website and check out the BBB Business Review for any company you are considering doing business with.

3.  You do not have to pay any upfront fees in order to sell your timeshare.  Any related closing costs or fees will be handled at the closing.

4.  If you have been contacted by phone or email asking if you are interested in selling your timeshare or inviting you to a presentation that claims to be associated with ARDA and you did not initiate the contact, be aware that you might be the target of a fraudulent timeshare scheme.

Advantage Vacation is a Maui based timeshare resale brokerage specializing in name brand timeshare resales of Hilton, Marriott and Westin-Starwood.  Please contact one of our licensed real estate professionals today to make your vacation dreams come true!

Advantage Vacation is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and offers the best buys on the timeshare re sales market today. We never charge an upfront fee for clients who want to sell a timeshare and only receive a commission, paid from escrow, when the transaction is closed.

We are leaders in the timeshare resale secondary market, have been in the timeshare industry for over 30 years and are Accredited Members of the BBB with an A+ Rating.

Advantage Vacation is using Twitter and Facebook to help educate people on the changes in the timeshare industry along with current timeshare tips, up to date timeshare news and timeshare FAQ’s.

We hope you will follow us and our blog, Timeshare Blogging by Advantage Vacation for the latest news and reviews. If our site does not answer your question or questions, please email us your question and we will answer it and add it to our library. Make your voice heard – what questions do you have?

At Advantage Vacation you can be assured you are working with professionals who believe that honesty and integrity are the most important aspects of the business they are in – timeshare resales. Our business has been built on relationships and we pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients.

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