SELLER BEWARE!

We are aware of a possible telemarketing scam because you, the owners, called and reported it.  A representative of a company that identifies itself as “Timeshare Liquidation Department of Polo Towers or Diamond Resorts” calls and claims to be able to sell your timeshare.  They advise that you must first pay a $699.00 “Advertising fee.”  (On Fridays, they drop the price.)  In some instances, they claim that they also sell other Diamond Resorts properties – Jockey Club, Carriage House, Diamond Resorts Vacations, etc.  If an owner requests a reference, a name and phone number is given to the owner to call, in one case, “Tony.”  “Tony” agreed that “the Timeshare Liquidation Department of Polo Towers” sold his interval for $16,000!!  Please don’t be misled!  “Tony” has never owned a Polo Towers timeshare.  Polo Towers does not know who these people are.  They do not represent Polo Towers – This is a lie.  We are investigating to find out who is behind this and how they have obtained your names and phone numbers.  In the meantime, here is some suggested actions you may take to protect yourselves.

1. Fraud:  Stop it.  Recognize it.  Report it.  Fraud by telephone, internet, and mail is a very serious issue.  It steals your money, identity and self-respect.  If a scam artist has contacted you or if you’ve been defrauded, consider contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.  They can gather evidence, identify fraud trends and alert law enforcement throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad.  By reporting your experience, you can prevent others from becoming victims and put an end to fraud.  Remember, scammers don’t care about your age, race, income, or geographic location.  They just want your money.
2. You have a choice about getting telemarketing calls at home.  Please consider registering your resident national telephone number, including wireless numbers on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, to register by phone, call 1-888-382-1222.  You must call from the phone number you wish to register.  You may also register on line at www.donotcall.gov.  You should remember that a scammer willing to commit a crime to get your money won’t care if you have registered or not.
3. Ask for the name of the company and the state and city it does business in.  Verify information through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division in that state.  It is generally a toll free number.  In addition, we recommend you consider the following:
a. Never pay “up front” fees to anyone offering to sell your timeshare
b. Never give anyone you do not know your credit card number or other personal information
c. Never be afraid to ask a lot of questions.  That’s how we have collected the information we have.  Thanks to the owners who called and shared their concerns to alert their fellow owner.  Always let us know what has been taking place if you have concerns.