Quick answer: Report a timeshare scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at IC3.gov. Also file with your state attorney general — particularly in the state where the timeshare is located. If money was wired internationally, contact the FBI’s field office directly. Gather all contracts, emails, and payment records before filing.
Timeshare scams come in several forms: fraudulent resale companies promising to sell your timeshare for an upfront fee, fake “exit” or “cancellation” companies that take thousands and disappear, and high-pressure sales presentations using deceptive promises. The FTC estimates Americans lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually to timeshare fraud. You have real recourse — acting quickly matters.
Types of Timeshare Scams
The most common are resale scams (a company claims it has a buyer ready but demands an upfront fee — they take the fee and vanish), exit or cancellation scams (companies charge $5,000–$50,000 promising to legally cancel your timeshare contract but deliver nothing), and presentation fraud (salespeople make verbal promises during high-pressure tours that aren’t in the written contract). If you were promised a gift card, vacation package, or rental income that didn’t materialize, that’s also reportable deceptive advertising.
Where to Report a Timeshare Scam
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Get Your Free Checklist →| Situation | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Timeshare resale or exit fraud | FTC | ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
| Online fraud / wire transfer | FBI IC3 | IC3.gov |
| Deceptive sales practices | State Attorney General | Search “[your state] attorney general consumer complaint” |
| Financing fraud or billing errors | CFPB | consumerfinance.gov/complaint |
| Mail fraud involved | U.S. Postal Inspection Service | uspis.gov/report |
| Public complaint record | Better Business Bureau | bbb.org |
How to Report a Timeshare Scam Step by Step
- Stop all payments immediately. Do not wire additional money, pay “transfer taxes,” or send gift cards — these are red flags of ongoing fraud. Contact your bank to dispute or halt any pending payments.
- Gather your documentation. Collect the original timeshare contract, the resale or exit contract, all emails, text messages, wire transfer receipts, and any advertisements or verbal promises made to you.
- Report to the FTC. File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov with the company name, what was promised, what you paid, and the outcome. The FTC uses reports to build cases against repeat offenders.
- File with the FBI’s IC3. If money was wired — especially internationally — file at IC3.gov. IC3 coordinates with financial institutions and can sometimes recover wired funds quickly if reported within 72 hours.
- Contact your state attorney general. File in both your home state and the state where the timeshare is located. State AGs have sued timeshare exit companies and obtained refunds for consumers.
- Dispute the charge with your bank or credit card issuer. If you paid by card, file a chargeback citing fraud. For wire transfers, contact your bank immediately — a recall may be possible within 24–48 hours.
- Report to the CFPB if financing is involved. If the scam involved a loan or recurring billing on your timeshare, file at consumerfinance.gov/complaint to flag the creditor.
- Consult a licensed attorney. Avoid hiring another “exit company” — instead seek a real estate attorney or consumer protection attorney to review cancellation rights under your state’s rescission laws.
Know Your Rescission Rights
Federal law: The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 business days to cancel a door-to-door or off-premises sale contract.
State rescission laws: Most states give timeshare buyers 3–10 calendar days to cancel after signing. Florida allows 10 days; California allows 3 business days.
After rescission period: Cancellation is harder but not impossible — an attorney can review the contract for misrepresentations that may void it.
Penalties for Timeshare Fraud
FTC violations: Civil penalties up to $51,744 per violation; the FTC has won injunctions shutting down multiple timeshare exit companies.
Wire fraud: Up to 20 years federal imprisonment per count.
State penalties: Timeshare fraud is a felony in many states, with fines and license revocations for involved real estate professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
For related guides see: How to Report a Romance Scam, How to Report an Online Scam, How to Report a Fake Charity.
This guide is a supporting article in our pillar resource covering all scam types, every federal agency, and all 50 state contacts.
How to Report Any Scam: Complete U.S. Guide →Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.
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