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   ALERT: Red Flags Surround Timeshare Rescue

The TCG has been alerted by one of its subscribers to the presence of a potentially hazardous company entitled Timeshare Rescue. Timeshare Rescue is one of several timeshare collection organizations, sometimes referred to as "title transfer companies," that offer owners an exit strategy for a fee. These are often the only viable option for individuals who have been mercilessly scammed out of their money in exchange for unusable and unmanageable timeshares that are essentially worthless on the resale market. Unfortunately, the title transfer landscape is just as pocked with corruption as the actual timeshare industry, not to mention timeshare resale. Is Timeshare Rescue yet another entry in that continuing trend?

A quick glance at their Better Business Bureau profile doesn't reveal anything too incriminating, although their profile is rather skimpy. Still, this is normal for new companies, and the Timeshare Rescue file was made in September, 2007 according to the BBB. The company itself, as listed on the California State Secretary website, opened shop on June 26th, 2007. This would not be so odd by itself were it not for the fact that curious consumers calling the company and attending presentations have been told that Timeshare Rescue has been in business for 2 years and has transferred the titles of over 1,000 timeshares (in some cases these numbers have been upped to 3 years and 3,000 timeshares). This is impossible since, as the profile states, the company has only just now formed. It is understandable that a business might stretch the truth for the sake of promotion now and then, but can such a blatant falsehood be justified? One wonders where the need to deceive springs from, as though the company is uncertain that it can gain a positive reputation through ordinary, upstanding business practices. Unless, of course, it isn't planning to implement ordinary, upstanding business practices...

Additionally, a closer look at the BBB profile shows that Timeshare Rescue is not a member: typically a red flag for companies, especially of this nature. Furthermore, the BBB classifies Timeshare Rescue as a timeshare company, specifically as "Timeshare Campground/Resort Companies". Were Timeshare Rescue concerned about its image they would strive to clarify this, since most title transfer companies abhor the notion of being categorized with the rest of the timeshare market. In short, the BBB profile fails to offer the consumer any grounds for trust whatsoever -- which is paramount in an industry teeming with out-and-out scandals.

Obviously one can't be too sure in situations like this. So if you've heard anything that refutes or reinforces the observations and inferences we've made here, we encourage you to voice your opinion and mail it to info@timeshareconsumergroup.org. However, the TCG would like to point out that while interacting with the timeshare world, "guilty-until-proven-innocent" is an appropriate rule of thumb to ensure protection. Adopting that rubric, the jury would hardly be out for long on Timeshare Rescue.

 

Update 4/25/08:

Timeshare Rescue became a BBB Accredited Business on 3/28/08, however, they still do not have an official rating. We advise you to still excerise caution if you are considering signing a contract with Timeshare Rescue.

View the BBB profile for details and further updates.