Time Share Owner Scammed

(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH EAST, ON) On Saturday 07 December 2013, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was contacted by a Perth East resident who reported losing $7,000 to fraudsters.

Investigation revealed that the victim was the owner of a time share which he purchased twelve years ago for $25,000 The time share company he deals with is based in the Dominican Republic and he pays them $350 a year as a maintenance fee. Approximately two months ago the victim received a call from someone purporting to be representing the time share company asking if he wanted to sell his time share. The victim agreed to this and shortly thereafter received a call advising his timeshare had been sold for $24,500 Since that time he has been contacted by several persons demanding that money be wired to the Dominicans to pay taxes and other fees associated to the selling of time shares. Calls were also received from persons claiming to be FBI agents who threaten to come to Ontario to arrest the victim if no funds are paid.

A check by police determined that this was a “time share resale scam” and that there are numerous similar complaints reported to police all over North America. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has been advised of this incident.

Time share owners can safeguard themselves by being wary of unsolicited offers to sell their timeshares. Don’t agree to anything on the phone or online until you have thoroughly researched the reseller. Do not pay fees upfront to get your timeshare sold. Use a company that offers to sell for a fee after the timeshare is sold.

To report a fraud call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or go online at www.antifraudcentre.ca You can also report fraud to your nearest police service.

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.