Timeshare fraud is a common topic in the real estate industry because it happens to be so widespread and timeshare owners are often confused as to whether or not they are actually victims of it. Timeshare fraud can come in many forms, and sometimes timeshare companies are not even the perpetrators. Timeshare resale companies are the hottest trend in timeshare fraud today, affecting timeshare owners all across the United States and the world as owners try desperately to sell their unwanted timeshares. Timeshare fraud is rarely clear and often difficult to prove in open court, increasing the confusion consumers have about this common practice within the timeshare industry.

If an owner or consumer wonders whether or not they are a victim of timeshare fraud, they have likely been exposed to it on some level. While some timeshare fraud is quite blatant, the great majority comes in a legal gray area that only legal experts and insiders understand. A large portion of this misunderstood timeshare fraud comes in the form of the timeshare presentation. These timeshare sales meetings occur when a timeshare company offers a prize or “gift” to a consumer in return for attending a timeshare presentation.

Sometimes the offering of a prize, insinuating that the consumer has won something, is a level of timeshare fraud in and of itself. These consumers did not win anything. They were in fact chosen based on a certain list that the company compiles in order to lure consumers into the timeshare presentation. By telling the consumer they have won something, this is borderline fraud, and at the very least dishonest.

The timeshare presentation can be fraudulent in many ways that the consumer may be slightly aware of, but they do not know that any formal law has been broken. These presentations are often much longer than advertised. At times, the attendee will be berated and pressured into signing the timeshare contract, which is the entire purpose of the presentation in the first place. If the presentation was advertised as three hours yet lasts five, is this not timeshare fraud? While not as serious as other offenses, this can be categorized as misleading consumers for a profit, which is the very definition of fraud.

The more serious timeshare fraud that occurs that these presentations involves the misrepresentation of timeshare ownership in order to convince consumers to sign the contract. This timeshare fraud is very serious and extremely common at presentations, and is actually a large reason why so many contracts are signed. Perhaps the most common lie told at the presentation is that timeshare are investments that can be sold easily and at anytime for a profit. This is a complete falsehood, and any salesman who tells an attendee this is guilty of a level of timeshare fraud because it simply is not true.

Timeshares are absolutely not investments and can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible to sell. Owners who attempt to sell their timeshares can spend years trying to do so, as the market is filled with other sellers and very few buyers. Sellers are lucky to recoup even half of what they originally paid for their timeshare at the time of signing. This does not even take into account all of the fees paid to the timeshare company over the course of ownership. Timeshares are not investments or easily sold, and if this lie is told at the presentation in order to convince anyone to sign a contract, they have become the victim of wholesale timeshare fraud.

There are many types of timeshare fraud, and some are more easily recognized and proven in court. However, even the obvious “timeshares are an investment” fraud may not be easily used against a company due to a lack of evidence. It is always good to look out for signs of timeshare fraud and document any suspected wrongdoing. No timeshare owner knows exactly when they might need to use it.

There are numerous timeshare complaints that come through consumer activist websites every single day. The timeshare industry is one of intense speculation and criticism, and this is usually on the part of consumers. While large corporations may be impressed by this section of the real estate market, customers are not nearly as pleased with these business practices. The timeshare industry has perhaps one of the most negative stigmas within the consuming public, and many feel that this is justified. Consumers file timeshare complaints for a variety of reasons, but some stand out much more than others.

Perhaps the most common timeshare complaints have to do with timeshare cost. This is a subject of considerable consumer outrage, particularly because many of these costs are not known by the consumer by the time the contract is actually signed. Timeshare salesmen are very good at what they do, and neglecting to mention the fact that there are certain fees associated with a timeshare purchase is one of their most commonly used tactics. While this is the focus of many timeshare complaints, this practice is a legal gray area. The case for fraud can certainly be made, but it can often be hard to prove that a legal document was signed under false information or misleading statements. Whether or not this timeshare complaint can be used against a timeshare company, it can certainly be assumed that the great number of these are valid.

When the entire industry is based on a legal document that was signed under circumstances that are highly suspect, there is likely to be many complaints associated with it. This is why the timeshare industry enjoys such a reviled reputation among consumers. Even though these business practices may technically be legal, many consumer timeshare complaints argue that they are not morally right. While the laws may protect timeshare companies from the complaints, it certainly does not feel justified.

Other than cost complaints, including hidden fees and rate hikes, there are actually many other common consumer complaints that, while not apparent, are nonetheless very widespread. It seems as though the public is highly negative regarding timeshare companies, and countless complaints come through every single day.

A very common consumer complaint has to do with the timeshare presentation, and these complaints are very often made by those who do not even own a timeshare with a resort. These timeshare complaints come from consumers who are told they will receive a very attractive gift for attending a very short and appealing sales presentation. Many are aware that they will be sold to during this time, but the reality can be quite shocking. Many timeshare complaints come through by those who have been traumatized by the experience. Apparently these timeshare presentations can be quite traumatic, as consumers are mocked, insulted, and humiliated for hours on end. These hard selling tactics are the focus of a great number of timeshare complaints. Many attendees are threatened, told that they will not receive their gift, and are “held hostage” by timeshare salesmen. This seems quite outlandish, but the sheer volume of timeshare complaints that claim this to be a reality lends credence to this idea.

Many timeshare complaints that come through these websites actually accuse large companies such as Marriott, Westgate, and Wyndham of committing timeshare fraud by telling consumers that they would be able to sell their timeshare for a profit if the cost became too much to handle. Those who are familiar with the real estate market know that this is an outright lie, and it would be quite telling about the industry if this is actually the case. The timeshare resale market is extremely depressed, and selling a timeshare is incredibly difficult. It seems as though many consumers are under a different impression at the time of signing, which results in one of the most common timeshare complaints, perhaps even constituting fraud.

Timeshare owners constantly deal with fraud and deceit in this industry, which has become a hotbed for misrepresentation. The timeshare business has become synonymous with misrepresentation and financial hardship, which has wreaked havoc on the financial security of families throughout the real estate market. Fraud is replete throughout the timeshare industry, but a great majority of  this misrepresentation occurs at the timeshare presentation.

Timeshare contracts are very often signed by honest consumers who are nonetheless unaware of how rampant timeshare misrepresentation actually is. Timeshare presentations can be grueling experiences where attendees are subject to several hours of misrepresentation, fraud, and immense pressure from salesmen. A large part of the effectiveness of timeshare presentations comes from the fact that these salesmen are very well trained and are able to sell the timeshare without the consumer logically thinking about the realities of the industry. However, the majority of timeshare contracts are actually sold because timeshare salesmen fully misrepresent the nature of the industry and the real estate market.

Attendees are mislead into believing that timeshares are quality investments that can lead to a large profit for the consumer. Furthermore, salesmen often claim that the market for timeshares is easy to navigate and flooded with buyers. This is the ultimate misrepresentation, as the timeshare market is actually extremely depressed, as the potential buyers are well aware of the fraudulent nature of the industry. Salesmen also speak of the ease of ownership and how timeshares offer great flexibility for family vacations. This is also timeshare misrepresentation, as these vacations are often cemented and can be very difficult to use effectively, especially with children.

Timeshare misrepresentation is undoubtedly negative for the real estate market, and for the consuming public in general. However, this is some small comfort for timeshare owners who have become victims of the timeshare misrepresentation that has become all too common in the industry.

While timeshare companies use misrepresentation to coerce consumers to purchase timeshares, owners can actually use this to their advantage when attempting to get out of a timeshare. The inherent nature of fraud and misrepresentation makes the “legal contract” that owners have signed highly suspect. While salesmen often use rhetorical devices to sell products in our society, timeshare misrepresentation has become so blatant as to bring the entire industry into question.

Timeshare misrepresentation is well-documented, and this has drawn the attention of consumer activist groups, legal entities, and the federal trade commission. Timeshare misrepresentation is so rampant and widespread that all timeshare contracts can be questioned. When attempting to get out of a timeshare contract, the greatest weapon that an owner can utilize is leverage against the timeshare company. The problem with timeshare misrepresentation is that it can be somewhat difficult to prove. It is a very good idea to document, in detail, all forms of timeshare misrepresentation experienced at the timeshare presentation. These lies constitute fraud and are a great way to build leverage against timeshare companies. Even if this misrepresentation is merely a consumer’s word, the industry has come under such fire that this may be the leverage you need to nullify the contract.

Timeshare companies do not let owners break contracts easily, but timeshare misrepresentation is truly just cause for breaking a contract, and timeshare companies know this. Furthermore, timeshare companies are under such scrutiny at the moment that they will often let an owner out of a timeshare contract if they fear legal repercussion. It is essential to use all of the weapons at your disposal when getting out of a timeshare, and misrepresentation is perhaps the most potent way to accomplish this feat. Timeshare misrepresentation is destructive and underhanded, but can be turned against the very company that has sold you a product under false pretenses.