Another Timeshare Scam Raided By Police

For the third time in a month, Orlando Florida SWAT police have raided yet aother timeshare scam operation:

According to police investigators, there were about 24 people working in the company were allegedly collecting up to $80,000 each week through illegitimate timeshare sales. They also contacted troubled timeshare owners and asked for a $500-$7,000 fee for the sale of their timeshare properties; however, the company supposedly never followed through on the service upon receiving the money. – Third Timeshare Raid in Florida

As people continue to struggle financially with the financial burden of owning a timeshare, these timeshare scam artists will continue to flourish. It is great to see the crackdown on timeshare scams like those companies. A wise choice is to spend time in due diligence researching companies to work with if you are planning to get out from under your timeshare. Researching their Better Business Bureau report would be the first step along with what you will find on the first page of Google if you are doing research online on their name. Finding a reputable company to work with is KEY if you want to be able to get rid of your timeshare without the tress of being worried about being ripped off.

Safe Hands Transfers has an A- rating with the BBB and has helped thousands upon thousands of timeshare owners find freedom from owning their timeshare. If you are looking to get out of your timeshare and want to avoid the timeshare scam, Safe Hands Transfers is open 7 days a weeks to answer any questions you have about the timeshare transfer process. Call 1-888-444-9679 for a FREE evaluation of your timeshare situation.

Essential Information To Have When Purchasing A Timeshare

Have you been considering buying a timeshare? There is some basic essential information you should have as you make that timeshare ownership decision.

Buying A Timeshare?

When purchasing a timeshare there are a variety of timeshare ownership options for you to choose from.

The Fixed Week Timeshare

Having a fixed week timeshare, you have to choose from “numbered weeks” of the year and use that EXACT week each year. You are guaranteed that specific week in the timeshare.

Timeshare Floating Time and Points

When you have a “points” timeshare option, you are purchasing a certain number of credits/points that you can use as you want. Your timeshare unit size will vary depending on availability and your needs. Your vacation option might be something like, you take two short weekend vacations instead of one week long vacation. As you reserve your vacation dates, you use up the points for your timeshare unit.

Whereas if you have a “floating time” timeshare option, this will give you the flexibility on what weeks you decide to take your vacation along with the unit size. If it important to know that with this option you will need make timeshare reservations in advance when you want to stay at the resort.

The floating time and as well as the points timeshare option are great for flexibility if you want to take vacations at different times each year. You must remember that either option will be always be dependent upon the availability at your timeshare resort.

Deeded Timeshare Property

A deeded timeshare is when you completely own the timeshare property you paid for. Meaning you own it until you decide to sell the timeshare property like you would with your condo or house. You can pass the timeshare on to an heir, the same as you would a home or other properties.

Lifetime Timeshare Property

When it comes to having a “lifetime timeshare property”, you can use the timeshare yearly for your entire life. Unlike the deeded property, the property benefits end when you die. This type of timeshare doesn’t get passed on to an heir.

Leased Timeshare Property

A leased timeshare is one you can use for a specified number of years. You do not actually own it, but are leasing the vacation property as you would a temporary home or vehicle. With this option, you will rent the timeshare until your lease expires.

Timeshare with Multiple Locations

There are some timeshare companies that will sell timeshare options that can be used in multiple locations. Let’s say, a timeshare owner might choose to vacation at the Palm Springs timeshare every other year, switching with the Las Vegas timeshare, then maybe go to the Bahamas timeshare location.

Benefit of Timeshare Ownership?

One benefit to owning timeshares is your vacation flexibility. Timeshare owners are the given the opportunity to exchange their weeks for another luxurious resort anywhere in the world at whatever time they desire. A variety of timeshare resorts allow owners to split their weeks into days. This is perfect for individuals with busy rotating schedules. Owners of timeshares are able to save excessive amounts of money on their stays.

As hotel and resort prices change, your vacation is already paid for at a lower and more affordable price! You are provided with excellent accommodations and amenities within your timeshare, most hotels and resorts charge extra, but you have prepaid for your vacation and get the great deals that are often longed for.

Disadvantages of Owning Timeshares

Although there are many great benefits to owning a timeshare, there are also many disadvantages that come with the purchase. You are only given one opportunity a year to spend within your timeshare. Think about this, if want to give your week to your family and want to send them on a vacation to your timeshare for a luxurious, relaxing vacation, remember that you will be giving up your opportunity for vacation that same year.

If there is a year that you are not able to make it to your timeshare, you are still required to pay your yearly maintenance fee. This can become a very stressful situations for individuals who are unable to make it because they’re lacking money. It is well worth your trouble to take the time each year to reside with in your time share, as you will be paying for costs anyway.

When you own a timeshare, it is important to be familiar with the terminology to decrease the risk of miscommunication. These are a few important terms that should be known before and after your purchase.

• Accrued weeks is the weeks that have accumulated from the year before and are now available for the current year. This is very important to be familiar with, to keep you from losing out on vacation time.
• Deeded property is the actual property ownership that has a deed recorded in the county where your timeshare is located. This particular type of property has the same rights of ownership as other deeded real estates.

When it comes to making a important decision like buying a timeshare, it is even more important spend time in due diligence researching the options that are available and if owning timeshares is right for you.

If you are looking for a legitimate way as a timeshare owner to be free of your timeshare, Safe Hands Transfers can provide you with the solution. Call 1-888-444-9679 for a FREE evaluation of your timeshare situation.

Critical Customer Information Goes Missing From Marriott Office

Marriott, one of the largest timeshare resort developers announced on Tuesday that private customer information went missing from one of their corporate offices in Florida. The backup computer contained over 206,000 customers personal information.

Customers affected by this mishap are primarily those who are part of the Marriott Vacation Club International, which is the timeshare division of the chain. The backup computer held information on customer’s credit card numbers, social security numbers, contact information and even bank details.

Marriott officials state that all affected customers have been contacted and offered a free credit-monitoring service to look out for any suspicious activity that may conclude to identity theft.

Stephen Weisz who is the president of the timeshare division for Marriott stated that, “We regret this situation has occurred and realize this may cause concern for our associates and customers.”

It is still under investigation as to how the secured information went missing to begin with.

Owners of Marriott timeshares are being kept informed via the company website.