Money you'll never get · stamped SCAM

The buyer for your timeshareSCAM

A real scam people fell for this year, next to the real thing. The numbers mark the three things to check: hover or tap one to see what it tells you.

Safe
MInbox (3) – Gmail×
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✎ ComposeInbox 3StarredSnoozedSent
Your options for giving back your week
PPalm Harbor Resort Club <owners@palmharborresortclub.com>to me10:42 AM

Thanks for asking about giving back your week. If your account is paid up, you may be able to return it to us through our deed-back program.

We don't charge a fee for this.

Call Owner Services at the number on your statement to start.

Scam
MInbox (3) – Gmail×
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We have a buyer for your timeshare
CCoastal Resale Partners <closings@coastalresale-partners.com>to me10:42 AM

Good news: a buyer has agreed to pay $38,500 for your week at Palm Harbor Resort Club.

To close the sale, you must first pay $1,950 in closing costs and transfer taxes by wire to our escrow agent.

The buyer's offer expires Friday.

Always check the costs.

A buyer appears out of nowhere offering a great price, and you must pay "closing costs" first. In a real sale the costs come out of the buyer's money at closing. There is no buyer.

Always checkThe real oneThe scam
1Where it livesIs it the real company's or person's own address or number?

owners@palmharborresortclub.com is your own resort.

closings@coastalresale-partners.com is a company that found you, not one you called.

2What it asks you to doCheck firstDoes it want a password, a payment, a call, or a tap?

Nothing to pay. It explains how to give your week back.

$1,950 by wire before the sale.

3How hard it pushesIs there a deadline, a threat, or a surprise charge?

No deadline.

The buyer's offer "expires Friday".

RememberNever pay up front to sell or exit a timeshare. Call your resort first, using the number on your statement.

Would you have spotted it?

10 pairs like this one, three minutes, a score to share. Then find out who in the family is the easy mark.

Take the testNext scam: The "pay the tax to withdraw" trading site →