You own a timeshare you no longer want, and out of nowhere a company calls with great news: they have a buyer ready to pay top dollar, and they will handle the resale — they just need some fees up front. For owners desperate to offload a timeshare, it sounds like a rescue. It is a scam. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to recognize a timeshare resale scam.
How the scam works
A so-called resale company or broker contacts you, often unsolicited, claiming to have an eager buyer for your timeshare at an attractive price. To move forward, you must pay upfront fees — for “closing costs,” “transfer taxes,” “listing fees,” or “escrow.” Once you pay, the promised buyer never materializes, new fees keep appearing, and eventually the company goes quiet. They were never selling anything. The only transaction that ever happened was your money flowing to them.
Red flags to watch for
- An unsolicited offer claiming a buyer is already lined up for your timeshare.
- Upfront fees required before any sale — closing costs, taxes, listing or escrow.
- Pressure to act fast before the “buyer” walks away.
- Requests for personal and financial details early on.
- Vague company information that does not check out when you look it up.
Why owners fall for it
Timeshares are notoriously hard to sell, with ongoing fees that make owners eager for any exit. Scammers know this and offer exactly the relief people want — a ready buyer and a hands-off process. The fees feel like a normal cost of a real sale. But the test is simple and firm: a legitimate resale does not demand large fees paid up front to a company that called you out of the blue. Genuine costs come out of the proceeds at closing, not from your pocket before any buyer exists.
A real buyer’s money comes to you; it does not start with you paying fees to a stranger who called first. When the “sale” requires your cash up front, the sale was never the point.
How to protect yourself
Never pay upfront fees to an unsolicited resale company, and do not share financial details over a cold call. Verify any company independently, and deal only through reputable, verifiable channels — ideally starting with your timeshare’s own resort or a licensed agent you found yourself. Because these scams also harvest personal data for further fraud, keep your accounts protected with a unique password from our password generator and two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
What is a timeshare resale scam?
It is a scam where a company claims to have a buyer for your timeshare and asks for upfront fees — closing costs, taxes or listing fees — to complete the sale. The buyer never exists, the fees keep coming, and the company disappears with your money.
Should I pay fees to sell my timeshare?
Be very wary of large fees demanded up front, especially by a company that contacted you unsolicited. A legitimate resale takes genuine costs from the proceeds at closing, not from your pocket before any buyer exists.
How do I sell a timeshare safely?
Avoid unsolicited offers, verify any company independently, and work only through reputable, verifiable channels you found yourself — such as your resort’s official resale program or a licensed agent. Never pay upfront fees to a cold caller.