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In December of 2018, Westgate Resorts became the latest timeshare company to be exposed for misleading sales tactics. Apparently, their Smoky Mountain Resort and Spa in Gatlinburg, Tennessee was selling “dream mountain vacations” that didn’t exist. Buyers were promised “rest and relaxation” in the heart of the Smoky Mountains; but important details were left out of the presentation.

Even after the timeshare company confirmed the cancellation, the Lusks continued to receive bills in the mail. When they called the resort, they were told the contract was still valid. Despite a confirmation letter from Diamond, they were still being held responsible for payments. “It was a nightmare,” Frank said.

It seems that one can’t turn on the news today without discovering some new scam.  As the public becomes aware of the tactics, criminals seem to always be one step ahead.  Because of this, the attorney general of California sent out a warning to protect consumers from being victimized by timeshare scams during their distress.

The first deceptive practice cited was false statements regarding maintenance fees. They also lied about owner’s ability to sell their timeshares to the public. Salespersons also actively deceived potential owners by leading them to believe that there was a buy-back program.

Timeshare Fraud Results in $6.5 Million Settlement The Attorney General of New York recently released a statement regarding the illegal practices of the owners and