Scam Alerts!
|
Scroll down this page to search and view possible scam alerts that are reported by our readers! You can also search using the categories list or the text box tool.
|
|
Another possible timeshare scam has been uncovered and reported by the members of the Timeshare Users Group.
A group operating under the name Universal Timeshare SA or Universal Timeshare Sales Associates is reportedly running the same old upfront fee scam. They are allegedly contacting timeshare owners and offering ridiculously high sale offers, then asking for upfront fees of approximately $1,800. for fake legal and closing fees. If you have been approached by this organization and feel that they are perpetrating a timeshare resale scam, please take the time to file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice. Reporting timeshare fraud is the best way to stop the con artists!
Laura
4/20/2011 01:06:30 am
I have been recently contacted by this company. I guess the saying is true if it sounds too good to be true it problay is. They are very good at the sales pitch thing.
Jim
5/19/2012 09:15:47 am
They offered me over $98,000 for my timeshare and demanded $1800 up front. I told him no way, I am not stupid, so he calls me "genius" and hangs up. This is a scam, stay away.
Thank God for scam notices from people like you!
John
11/19/2012 10:13:55 am
The $1800 muat be aa magic number . They wanted that from me also for legal and closing fees. Offered $465K for my points on Nov 19. I declined after reviewing the above comments.
These people keep contacting me to sale or to rent my timeshare. I keep asking how they got my phone number, because I'm not interested in what they have to say, then they hang up before I get the chance to hang up on them. Everyone needs to do background checks on the place before doing any business with anyone, or be like me hang up first!!! universal timeshare contacted me for the 2nd year, thanks for all the written complaints, clearly help me from being scammed out the 1800 they were requesting. I responded by i am reading all the complaints - their responce was to look at the BBB burogh complaints against the system. Hey said they had resolved all the complaints. as soon i said take the 1800 out of the 94000 they offered conversation ended
Cynthia
2/18/2013 07:13:35 am
Well, again they are still at it. I am so glad I couldn't find my credit card on Saturday to give them. We were transferred to the director Mr. Christopher, who really was promising us the world. When we were not able to sell them the amount of points they were requesting, they were willing to buy out total timeshare for a great amount of money. The funny thing about this, it was for the same $1,800 legal fees, regardless of the sale of the timeshare.They were willing to accept my American Express credit card, but I couldn't find my new one. Now I see why. Thank you all for posting your experience. I will be calling them back, if the number still works and letting them know I found my card, but will not be doing business with them and any other company through a phone call.
Lee Gessner
5/9/2011 12:51:44 pm
Currently in discussion with Universal. They claim a firm buyer at $15.5K for week. Want $2.1k fees paid up front. Am curious what they will say when I demand to select title company for closing, with no payout until sale is completed.
Mark
6/6/2011 11:08:42 am
I got a call - 503-914-1313. He did not speak good english. He said they have a buyer for my timeshare. I was only asking $1200 (through a different private company). He said the buyer offered $29,000. I would have to pay $1800 upfront. He wanted payment with a credit card right there on the phone. I did a google search - and there's numerous complaints.
laura
6/15/2011 06:00:09 am
They reeled my Mom in by telling her her timeshare had grown to $30k in value. She paid $10k in 2003. They already had a buyer waiting etc, etc. She lost 2k. She's a widow who cares for her bed ridden mother around the clock and has for 5 years. These scammers must be stopped
Sarah K Person
5/7/2012 01:26:07 pm
They claim they only use Visa and Mastercard because those companies guarantee against fraud. Would the credit card company not repay the 2k to your mother?
Becky
6/12/2013 04:47:01 pm
They run the charge thru their office in the Dominican Republic which makes it next to impossible for the cc company to get your money back. I was stupid & let them talk me into this a year ago. Lost $1800 because I was so desperate for the money they were offering; that's the only excuse I can offer for being so gullible. For the past year they kept giving me ever more creative excuses for why it was taking so long but since April I can't get thru to a human being when I call them. Guess they ran out of excuses... Please don't let yourself be scammed by these crooks!! All they do it .
Tim Job
7/6/2011 07:34:19 am
They tried the same thing with us, saying our timeshare is worth $23,200 and will pay $2,900 for rental of the unused time vacation for this year. It will only cost $1,800 in legal services to sell the timeshare. Everywhere else our timeshare is worth at most $14,000. They tried the same thing on me stating they had a buyer for my timeshare points worth $25,000 and everything would be completed within 60 days ... all I had to do was provide them $1,800 in legal services. I was stupid enough to provide the fee with a credit card and was later charged an additional $54 for foreign exchange transaction. I immediately called them and was told a refund would be posted to my account. That was over a month ago. They advised last week they were meeting with the buyer and everthing should be done by the end of July. Today I called to inquire again, and the numbers I have for them have been disconnected.
kay
8/2/2011 12:03:21 pm
i got a call tonight the guy could not speak very good english. I started to question him about the amount of money up front they would need to sell my timeshare because this is not my first rodeo. He got very upset raised his voice at me. I hung up on him. DO NOT EVER PAY UP FRONT FOR SERVICES OF ANY KIND per my attorney you will get ripped off.
Donna
8/5/2011 09:59:30 am
My elderly father got the call. Thank goodness I've asked him to direct all financial related calls to me. Again, they had a buyer for twice the fair market value, and only asked for the $1,800 up front attorney fees. I suggested that we would use our own attorney, or we would not sell. He hung up, saying they were busy with more agreeable clients. DO NOT DRINK THE KOOL-AID.
David
8/12/2011 01:25:32 pm
I also have been contacted by this group, talked with the sale manager stating They had a conadian buyer for my time share. The oofer was very high but required an up front fee of 1,800 of a credit card would be accepted.
Anny Wilson
8/13/2011 07:49:35 pm
I contacted by Universal Timeshare associates. They offer me for my timeshare with $4500 and $1500 upfront.
Sarah K Person
5/7/2012 03:43:03 pm
Did you get your money?
Becky
6/12/2013 04:50:12 pm
You are obviously one of the scammers from the company making this post. I've seen their bogus posts saying they are legit in other places. People - don't believe this person. They're out to steal your money and nothing else. Most of the time they claim to have a buyer from Canada. If you give them money you will never get a penny back.
Tammy
8/16/2011 04:48:44 am
They tried the same thing on me stating they had a buyer for my timeshare points worth $19,500 all I had to do was provide them $1,800 in legal services. I was stupid enough to provide the fee with a credit card. They advised last week they were meeting with the buyer and everything should be done by the end of August. This has went on for 6 to 8 months now.How do you get a refund? 4/23/2012 03:01:40 pm
Unfortunately Tammy, there's no way to get your money back. I am in the process of dealing with them right now. my card is connected to my bank so we put in a fraud dispute to get my money back. BUT, the 1850.00 that they got me for IS GONE. I have fraud protection through my bank so as long as they see that YES I DID GET SCAMMED, they replace it with no penalty to me. That is my only saving grace. I am a disabled VET with a limited income. They have no morals and there is no shame to them. All we can do is be more careful in the future. As a fellow victim, I'm sorry...for both of us.
Lane
8/18/2011 12:35:21 pm
Yes, the same game with me. Called me from out of the blue, had the buyer already, had a great price, and I didn't mind paying the legal fees of $1800.00 upfront. However, I had the time to read these posts and stopped the process right there. I appreciate your posts. It stopped me from becoming a another mark. We all want to unload these Albatroses from our necks so badly...just nobody wants them.
Patty
8/18/2011 09:10:05 pm
I also had several phone calls from Universal Time Shares last night telling me that he had a buyer who was willing to pay $21,500 for my timeshare. When I started questioning him and telling him I was not paying any money up front he said I would not have to but that I needed to talk to the person at the timeshare who had customers sitting there waiting to buy my timeshare. I agreed to talk to the guy but in the mean time was online looking at the Better Business Bureau who stated they had 32 complaints with this company. Once on the phone with the (quote guy from the timeshare) I told him that I was reading all of this from the BBB and was informed by him that the BBB had no clue what they were talking about and that I should read what CNN said about the BBB. He was very unhappy that I was looking at this information online. He then proceded to tell me he would send me information via email which I received this morning. This is quite a scam market that they have going on. Please do not fall for any of these scams. If it is too good to be true it probably is.
Patty
8/18/2011 09:13:25 pm
Tammy while reading your post, you should contact your credit card company and tell them you want to dispute the charges. That they have not provided you with anything and you want your money back and also contact the Better Business Bureau in Oregon and put a claim in.
Brian
8/23/2011 10:25:02 am
Thank God I took a minute to investigate. They have been after my money for over a week now and I was about to give in.
Craig
8/24/2011 11:25:29 am
Good thing for the internet. I had been trying to sell my timeshare for sometime now and they came with a deal that was obviously to good to be true. When I hung up on them they called my phone back repeatly. DON'T DO IT!
Ryan
9/14/2011 09:57:51 am
I just got of the phone with universal Timeshare SA. I was also quoted a ridiculous price for my timeshare, I told the manager Chris Holiday that I needed to think about it because I got scammed by another company called innovative american llc out of new york who i paid 2900.00 for selling my timeshare. He told me that he could get my money back if I faxed him over the contract. I am sick of all the scams that are going on out there were do we sell our timeshares legitimately?
Mark keeps calling. We have already been through a rip off timeshare company and he wants us to go with him because they aren't like that. Then he asks for money up front. Thank goodness we have others who are reporting about this company.
Dave
9/22/2011 03:41:54 am
Thanks to all for the postings. I have been scammed previously and spent more time listening to this bs than I should have. No up front money! Customer waiting to buy.... I've heard it before. Thanks BBB.
shirley
9/29/2011 09:47:13 am
I had a call from universal timeshare sa
Amy
10/4/2011 05:19:02 am
I was just contacted by these folks. He said they had a buyer for our property at $12,900. He assured me that i wouldn't have to pay up front (as we have sadly done before and refuse to do again). Later in the conversation he told me that we would have to pay some closing costs. When i told him that we would pay only from the proceeds of the sale (like housing closings are handled), he hung up on me.
Greg
10/12/2011 10:43:41 am
Just got the call and spoke with the manager, Chris Holiday, who gave me the same story. High price from an existing buyer from Canada. Sounded too good to be true. Thanks for all the confirmations of my doubts and skepticism. I have spent too much time listening to John Leston,manager, and another sales rep named James. They keep calling and I guess they think I will weaken and pay them 2200 dollars to sell my timeshare, but I have been through these scams before. So no more. I have promised my wife I will not give anyone money up front to sell it. If they have such a sure sale at a great price, why don't these guys put up the down payment for us, and we will pay them back out of the money "we get"?
Andrew
11/9/2011 04:28:16 pm
I just bought a timeshare through UTSA. The process was painless, and I got a better deal than I would have from Wyndham. Truth is it did take about 60 days to finally get the property I wanted, but the value was worth it. Thank you Julian Lombardi! 11/9/2011 11:13:20 pm
Just a reminder to readers that every comment posted in these discussions both positive and negative, should be read with a healthy dose of skepticism. Many companies that operate primarily via the internet will employ shills. These employees simply search for mentions online of either their company or competitors, and try to post comments that may have no basis in truth whatsoever.
Linda
11/11/2011 12:33:28 am
My husband was contacted by these people. He told them he would have to talk to me first. Charges showed up on our credit card going to the Bahamas. We denied them and AMEX is investingating now. They are calling us again trying to tell us that they have a deposit for us but that we need to call them. Needless to say..we are not calling them. SCAM Just got off the phone with Universal for the second time. Same this as everyone else stated $1800 in legal fees. I've been ripped off 3 times already trying to get rid of this time share. Not happening again. Isn't it odd that all of their buyers are from Canada? I believe the post by Andrew is part of the scam. Besides the time share I'm trying to sell I have one with Wyndham and you absolutely cannot transfer VIP points. VIP status can only be bought through Wyndham.
kasey
11/16/2011 09:58:19 am
i recently sold my timeshare through this company and i just want to say it was wonderful, it was sold within 2 wks and i got 30 k for it. thank yall for makeing the process EASY 10/9/2012 11:09:23 am
I would like to know the name of the Co. used who didn*t charge a fee upfront.
Joe
11/16/2011 11:19:39 am
Got a call from the # in Mark's report (#3)he didn't speak good english so I hung up! then a Philip Mendez called back had a buyer in Canada, willing to pay 18 cents per point @ what we paid originally, and he wanted the same $1800 Legal fee pluse $2600 in closing costs! Phil said to call him back at (866)590-7029, or I could call customer service at (888)499-5982. ALL three #'s are listed as #'s used by this company on the BBB website. I also read some positive posts about the co. but they were all in the same BAD english as the callers! So! I guess we know where they may have came from! 11/16/2011 01:21:07 pm
Too funny! I could not have said it better myself, Joe. Shills are always a common issue for any open online venue, and these types of timeshare scams always seem to have more than their fair share of fake posters. I just hope that we provide enough truthful information that consumers learn to be very skeptical about any timeshare resale offer that involves any type of upfront fee or advance payment from the seller!
Elaine
11/17/2011 06:37:29 am
Just got a call today saying they could pay $22,000 for a timeshare we paid $10,000 for. Sounded pretty good but so glad you have this site telling us not to do it. They also wanted $1800. Must be the magic number.
Debbie
11/18/2011 08:10:57 am
Rec'd a call from Chris King.... said he had a buyer... wanted $1800 up front. been there done that, drank the kool aid. Only lost a $750.00 with two other companies. My husband has offered them double if they take it at closing. They all refuse. Had to have it tonight.... No deal!
Ed
11/21/2011 06:08:52 am
I too was called by these folks asking $1800 up front to sell my tmeshare for $19200. Very good price however I also got a letter from Wyndham offering me units in the same building that are up for auction Starting Bid $300.00.m These various scammers have been trying and I have been fighting them for 2 years. I have gotten 2 of them shut down by the related Attorney Generals in their area, Waste of time and my money risk They just change their names and start up again. Mostly Florida and also Arkansas, Delaware, and California.
Gary
12/8/2011 05:42:56 am
12/8/11 I got a call from people that could not speak good english they wanted 1800. for registration and filling fee up front.
Carl
12/13/2011 04:57:20 am
12/13/11 I got the call as well from Universal Timeshares SA. They asked for $1800 up front in legal fees. They said that they had a buyer from Canada and they would have to pass me on to their second party legal company for verification. The guy wanted me to go to their website to confirm that they are legit. As though that can be done. I googled them and got to this site. It is a scam. Don't do it. Thanks for this site.
Kim
12/13/2011 05:45:57 am
They just got $1000 from my 86 year old mother last week. I just reported them to the Oregon State Attorney General AND the BBB. Good luck. I wish I could lock up her phone!!
richard
12/17/2011 12:16:43 am
WOW! Universal Time Share must be seeking a law suite badly.
Morey
12/23/2011 08:06:22 am
Thank you all for the information. Also, got a call from the company, broken english on the first call, second guy at least was able to be ubderstood, same $1800 for legal fees, same buyer in Canada, and an offer of over $87,000. Wow, I didn't pay that much to begin with. Thank you all for the info, (as my $1800 is still in my pocket) now I just need to get them to stop calling.
Robert
12/27/2011 12:01:45 pm
My wife got the call 5 days ago from universal timeshare as while I was at work. She asked for more information, they said they had a buyer right to purchase, next they sent her to the verification department, and charged our credit card for $1800. She called me and I said no way, not again. I called them back and asked to speak to he sales person. He was busy but would call back in an hour, no call, I called back and he was out to lunch and would call back in 30 min, no call, I called back and stayed on the line when they said 10 min and still no David Storm sales man. I finally went through every customer service rep until I got to Eddy Miller (supposed to be a supervisor in the customer rep department. Talked with him for over an hour about all the comments on the internet. He said that you can't trust the Oregon BBB. When I told him that my name was on the deed also and no sale was going to happen and I wanted our money back, they agreed to send us $800 in good faith if we would let them proceed. The paper work they send says they use print and billboards to drive buyers to their website, yet when you go to the website it is designed to attract sellers, not buyers. When I search their available properties they all ready have 20 listed at the same property. Why is their buyer so hot for mine when they have others listed for less than mine? No sale boys, sell them one of the ones on your site. These guys are scammers.......remember NO UPFRONT FEES.........if these guys were for real, they would be the hottest news around on the Internet. Don't fall for it. 1/4/2012 05:45:51 am
I've been down the road twice with UTSA. Oct, '11 I was e-mailed my 1st Timeshare & Real Estate Buying Agreement for $22M with closing costs of $1,500 on my Bonnet Creek property. I didn't remit the cash as Bryan Price had asked and I had no further contact from UTSA. It was a Canadian buyer, with name, address. Jan, '12 a call from Stephen Peterson, UTSA, saying they had a buyer for my Hawaiian piece, $28M list and would I accept an offer of $26M. I said I was agreeable and he said buyer would pay half the closing costs and I needed to send VIA Western Union, $1,650, to Emilio Donez, Boston, MA. Credit cards no longer accepted. I was told sending to an individual was cheaper than to a Business and send as a "Regular Transfer". Western Union told me it would cost $146 but I could send it Quick Collect for $12.99 but they needed a 10 digit Code City and State. When I related this to Stephen he became upset and said closing was today and the funds would not be available until
Antionette Mackowiak
1/11/2012 08:39:46 am
We received a phone call from a Universal Time Share S A. The person was calling from (503)914-1313. His English was horrible and he had what he claimed was a great offer to purchase our timeshare. He wanted our credit card number to process the $1800 to get the paper work and contract taken care of NOW. We told him that we wanted to review his website and instead I searched for complaints and here they are...the end of our story.
Doug Smith
1/16/2012 06:14:58 am
Also got. The call from 503 914 1313 the 1800.00 upfront money waste of time
chris pasieka
1/17/2012 11:02:52 am
A Noah Deck called us saying he was from Wyndham. I asked if he was with Wyndham several times in the course of the conversation and each time he said has with Wyndham. He said he had a buyer that just toured the resort, and wanted to buy there, but the resort did not have any points left to sell. He had my husband name correct but not mine. He did not know which location we owned at or if we owned any others. He said his buyer was looking for 54 to 154 thousand points. He was going to talk to his buyer and call back and make us an offer.
Emily
1/19/2012 10:40:39 am
Just got a call from 503-914-1313. I looked at their website after the call and noticed that the did not even have the right pictures for the Mountainside where I own.I listened to the pitch just because I work for Marriott and hear all the time about people that have been scammed by resale companies. It makes me really sad that this happens. Please please if someone calls you wanting to buy your timeshare and you have to Pay Them it is a SCAM. There are legitimate websites to sell your timeshare but never go through a company that is calling you and wants money upfront. I only paid 1900 for mine through the resale market but they were offering me 23,000. Yeah Right!!
Valerie
4/3/2012 11:39:00 am
Emily, what are the legitimate websites that can be used to buy/sell timeshares?
cj cheramie
1/24/2012 10:05:31 am
Just got a call from a John Leston from this company......503-914-1313.....wanted $900.00 out front for a firm offer on my New Orleans time share. Apparently the out front cost going down. Must be bad times at the old corral.
Hari
1/25/2012 04:06:34 am
WOW!! Little did we know! We fell for it to the tune of $1800.00. We have our bank involved and they are pursuing the matter. We bank at the State Employees Credit Union, thank heavens. We are also considering calling the State SBI. I'm putting the scammers on Facebook..I don't want any of my friends and family to fall for this bunch of crooks. Good luck to all of you who have been taken in by these obviously professional butt holes. I'm being kind, calling them that. :(
Dan
2/7/2012 09:37:39 am
Just finished another approximate 60min conversation with UTS. Had fun explaining to him how a legitimate business works. Poor guy should have hung up within the first 5 min but he doggedly hung on trying to refute how proper business practices work (no up front) I believe he will be having his boss call me tomorrow. Even when I explained I investigate frauds he kept going. Just wish I lived close to their "office" to pay them a visit with a court summons. Oh well at least while I spend time on the phone with them tying them up in knots they are not able to work their scam on others. Just wish the State Police would get serious on investigating these groups.
Matt
2/9/2012 03:54:07 am
I just got a call offering me $38,000 for my Wyndham timeshare in Myrtle Beach. The number was 503-914-1313. He told me teh company name was universal time shae SA "full Service" not to be confused with Universal Time Share Sa and then he pointed me to his webpage www.universaltimesharesa.com . They asked $1,800.00 up front and he refuted everything I read to him. He told me 250.00 of teh charges was for recording my voice so that I was protected....some nerve....he wouldnt get off the phone so i hung up
Linda
2/13/2012 04:24:13 am
We've been dealing with them these days too. It's almost amusing to see how these liars don't even have a script for simple questions such as what if instead of you send me a cheque of $21K, you send me a cheque for that amount minus whatever you need me to pay you. The whole timeshare industry might have been a crime but now this exit programs are a new one. It's a scam. Same deal. They've called several times over the last 6 months. The same number 503-914-1313. I've usually not answered but recognized the number via caller id. I picked it up this time. The same exact scam as all the other posts. Said there would be a $1800 fee for closing. I never got to the point where they actually asked for the fee. He was very rude at the end so I hung up. Don't do it.
Supergram46
2/15/2012 03:36:16 am
My mother, a senior citizen just got "taken" by Universal. She was TOLD they had a buyer for her Wyndham Timeshare. She did obtain a call back number and called back to verify information (ofcourse it was exactly what she had been told). Askedfor her credit card number and charged her account $1800.00 plus a transaction fee. They sent her papers to sign. She did call them again and told them she wanted a refund and they said it was not possible. I am afraid, even though she is on a limited income these scammers just ripped her off big time. She really feels taken and I am so ticked off that a company could prey on people like this.
Supergram46
5/9/2012 09:47:39 am
Just wanted to update for anyone checking. We have been contacted a couple of times by Universal Timeshare since the initial transaction in January. The story is the buyer has had their first consultation and the 2nd consultation is scheduled for May 17,2012. When asked why the consultations the response is "to give the buyers more details". Right! We were offering the Timeshare for $2500.00 and their buyer will pay $26,500? NOT! Please don't fall for this scam. The credit card company cannot cancel the sale once the contract has been signed. Besides, there is a 7 day limit on the cancellation, they put the credit card through first thing and by the time you receive the contract in the mail which in fact is NOT for the sale, but only for listing, the 7 days has expired and it is too late. Please read and understand EVERYTHING that you sign because once signed there is nothing to be done.
Howard
2/15/2012 04:07:25 am
I got the call, the outrageous offer, a request for $1800 (a small amount according to him) when I would talk to their "legal" department. He said he would email me the contract. I said I wanted it by regular mail and he took my address. He leaves messages to call him back, but I haven't called. If he ever calls when I am home, I will tell him that if he trusts me he can put up that small amount for me and when the sale goes through and I have my money, I will pay him double the $1800 he loaned me. That way we can both make some money on the deal. I already know his answer. I will never pay any up front money---never and certainly not to someone I don't know who calls.
Bob
2/16/2012 07:34:39 am
contacted 2/13/12 regarding my Wyndom ownership.I( said that I might be interested in selling 462 points.On the 15th received a call from James saying he had a buyer for .17 cents per pointand an offer was being emailed. Next step send them up front $2200.which I refused.Checked on the web and found many complaints suggesting a scam.Not recognized by the Or.BBB Recevied another call from Mark who said he was James supervisor and attempted to counter all of my objections. They had a well rehearsed talking points,
Chuck
2/17/2012 09:43:19 pm
I was contacted last night by this company and was very high pressure to immediately pay the upfront cost $1,800 as buyers were standing bye right now...fact is I live in Fl and the prices they were quoting is only about 300% above the market here in Florida. Thanks for the post and as always file a complaint with the Attorney Generals office and BBB for these scam artist.
kathy
2/20/2012 05:39:11 pm
This is totally a scam. Don't do it. You will regret it. 2/21/2012 05:51:58 am
Peggy
2/23/2012 12:50:17 am
Just got a fax from them! Same deal as everyone else.
Salbone
2/25/2012 11:11:52 pm
Same story. Received a call from some poorly speaking Kevin Sanchez at 866/590 7029 stating an offer of $21,900. No commission, but would be responsible for lawyer fees, title search, etc. I don't even own a timeshare. Scam.
William Hutchinson
3/3/2012 10:31:52 am
I have a lawyer willing to sue but there is not a physial address. Oregon DOJ has my complaint and a lawyer in Portland is willing if we could just serve them.
Valerie
4/3/2012 11:44:29 am
They tried to scam us too, fortunately we have been through this before and got out before was too late. How do we get them to stop calling?? Mr. Hutchinson, how do I file a complaint with Oregon DOJ? 5/15/2012 08:26:07 pm
I have an address to for you to serve the complaint:
david
3/5/2012 08:31:39 am
UNIVERSAL TIMESHARE SA ,IN fact this company does not even exist in the US,they are located in Lopez DE vegas OF SANTO DOMINGO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,they were formally MGN ,when the complain becam too much , they had to change their name to UNIVERSAL TIMESHARE SALES ASSOCIATE, of which the owner is an American too,the sales department where all the scams begins by first contacting timeshare owners, is managed by an Hatian man (Luis) called CHRIS KING FORMALLY CHRIS HOLIDAY, they all uses a fake name .
Jeremiah k Barlow
3/8/2012 12:53:37 am
I have been talking with Mark same number 503-914-1313. He told me new timeshares for worldmark are selling for $3.00 a share and I could get $42,000 easy for my 20,000 points. told me to check the website for universal timeshare sales associate or utsa(which pulled up a college in texas)
kc
3/27/2012 10:54:16 am
I was just hung up on by Chris Price. Guess he just keeps changing his name. I almost fell for this a second time. CRAZY...why do I do this. I stuck to my guns and said I'd be happy to sell it, you send me a check less your fees! He hung up!
D A BOONE
4/13/2012 01:45:18 pm
I just spent 40 minutes talking to a Nathan Anderson and LOUIS PEREZ. Beware people. They want the same 1800 for something OTHER than closing fees, but it sounds like it.The YOUNG COUPLE in Canada are"chompping at the bit" to buy my one bedroom timeshare in FLA. NO they cant take it out of the sale, but I should RELAX, lollollolllllll
William Hofford
4/23/2012 03:46:09 pm
We recieved a call from a Scott and then he directed our questions to Mark they gave us the pitch that they had a buyer for our 2 units and that the up front fees would max out at $2,200 and the buyer would have to sign a letter indicating they could not back out of the deal. We would get $39,000 for both units. What a bunch of BS there is no escrow account no guarantee that we will every see any money. If my timeshare is worth that much then I will sign a contact that I will sell it for half that and they can keep the difference if they cover the up front fees themselves. Where do you think that will get me ?
Cheryl K.
5/7/2012 11:50:34 am
My 76 year old mother got a call Friday night. There was a buyer for her 1 bedroom/1 bath efficiency at Westgate Towers in Kissimmee, FL. The couple was ready to buy this for the even numbered years at $9,500. All Mom had to do was apply $950 to her credit card -- no checks. Mom thought it sounded good and gave them her card number. Fortunately my Dad told my brother who called me (I have power of attorney for my parents). I went over to their house, got the story, called the credit card company and, hopefully, stopped the transaction. An agreement had been emailed to my parents to sign. I wrote NO SALE -- CHARGE DISPUTED across it and faxed it to Mike Carter, the "sales person." Thankfully there are sites like this to help educate people to these so-called deals. 5/10/2012 02:11:59 pm
The thing that puzzles the hell outta me is that even though I drank the kool-aide(and luckily was able to spit it out before I lost my money), they are still calling me trying to close the deal. As far as they know, they have my money. They are pushing for my wife and I to sign that stupid agreement, permission form whatever it is. They keep saying that the buyer is on the other side with a check, ready to go. These guys actually think all of this is REAL. I can't figure out their angle. Why be so intent on closing this deal??? I've called the BBB in Oregon and they confirmed for me that NO COMPANY IN THE STATE OF OREGON CAN OPERATE WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED WITH THE STATE AND BBB. I know we all have either gotten out before damage was done, or went through with this sham and is in limbo. Has ANYONE actually received the money they were promised or received the "LEGAL DOCUMENTS" they were supposed to receive from Westgate, Wyndham, Etc.?
Brett in Canada
5/25/2012 06:57:00 am
Hello everyone
Christian
5/25/2012 03:54:54 pm
WOW really glad I found this site. Same as everyone else, high offer and 1800 in closing. They are suposed to call me back tomorrow. Think I will mess with them for a few min and then hang up. Thanks for taking the time to post everyone. 5/30/2012 03:10:52 pm
yesterday a Jason Smith called me 5-29-13 and said he would buy my timeshare for 2100,00 and all I do is say yes.I told him I will call my layer to see if it was o.k. and I will get back with him and the number is the same as all the rest,, to good to be true...
Bob Fulton
6/1/2012 01:29:04 pm
I am an 80-year old retiree. My wife and I own a Wyndam timeshare unit in Branson, Missouri with 154,000 points credited every even year. We had a call a few weeks ago from a guy who said he was Timothy Thompson with Universal Timeshare Sales Associates, based in Beaverton, Oregon. I told him we were interested in selling our timeshare and he said we could get 21 cents a point for it -- $32,500. I expressed skepticism that it was worth that much, but he assured me they could find a buyer at that price. A few days later he called again and said they had an actual buyer for that price and that I would owe nothing other than the $1800 legal fees to accomplish the sale. I did some scanning on internet and found several negative reports on a site called "Rip-Offs" and info about Universal's problems with the Oregon BBB.(I somehow missed this website which is far more informative than any of the others I found.) About ten days ago I told "Thompson" he sounded like a smart young man and that I recommended he get another job. He then told me that he has worked for the company for six years. Next I started getting calls from Jason Smith who said he is Thompson's supervisor. He assured me everything was on the level and that their offer was still open. Yesterday he called again and guided me to a website showing Universal having a 99% positive rating. I failed to write down the name of the site and can't recall it, but suspect it was created by Universal. After looking at the long string of adverse reports on this site I'm now cutting off communication with these folks. I find it surprising that they spend so much time trying to get $1800 out of people. Makes me wonder if they're selling credit card numbers too! Fortunately I haven't given ours to them. By the way,while in Branson last week, I spoke with a local seller of timeshares. He said the bast he could hope to get for ours was $4,900 even though we've used none of this year's points as yet. Sellers beware!
E J
6/12/2012 01:37:52 pm
They got my $1800.00. Been getting the "run-around" for (7) months.Now they will not return my phone calls. Can't find a HUMAN to talk with.
DeLane Jones
7/2/2012 06:44:40 pm
Yes, BEWARE! Universal Timeshare SA has made a fool out of me!
Safta
7/5/2012 06:23:07 pm
Apparently they have changed their number and their tactics. Got a call from 866-590-7029. The woman asked if I was Filipina. When I said no, she hung up. I called back to say I was on the do not call line and would report them to the FCC. The recording said Universal Time Share. After about 10 minutes on hold, the recording said "goodbye" and hung up.
BLR
8/13/2012 02:21:12 pm
Just heard from these people a few days ago. Since the woman just would not take "NO" for an answer, i just listened and said yes at the appropriate moments until she was done, took her phone number under the pretense of needing to speak with my husband and in just five minutes was done! My mama didn't raise fools or idiots (unless you count my brothers...but who really does?). If it sounds too good to be true, more than likely it is. Just for fun, I checked out the website and saw that it has SEVEN pages of available timeshares at 'our' location. If they were as hot and going as fast as the saleswoman claimed, to my way of thinking, there wouldn't even be any available, let alone hundreds of other locations world wide supposedly available. Tried to talk my husband out of buying this to begin with, but what are you going do? He is such a sweet, naive person most of the time. I just recently convinced him that Bill Gates will NOT send him $500.00 for forwarding emails. Wish we would have had access to sites like this BEFORE we purchased any timeshare. What a rip off it was!
louise hitchings-doyle
8/16/2012 06:51:23 pm
i received a call from universal timeshares yesterday. the gentleman identified himself as julian. julian gave me his "praticed speech" and told me he had a buyer and that the selling price was $22,000.00. holy crap ! i only paid 125 bucks for it on ebay. such a deal.
Ben
10/19/2012 07:22:09 am
Universal Time Share is a SCAM. Yes I was desperate to get rid of my time share, when I was contacted by Universal I was ready to accept help from anyone, I paid the upfront $1,800 and after a number of weeks of going back and forth they told me they had sold my time share and that they would be closing within the week, that the paper work was being completed as we spoke, and that all they need for them to close the deal and send me my check was for me to go to Western Union and send them a $1,500 “pre-paid” closing cost payment. Yes Western Union, no US Mail or credit cards involved in this deal. This deal sounds very much like the “Western Union Scam” and you have no recourse when the check doesn’t arrive. No need to make matters worse, stay away from Universal and these deals.
Dawn
10/19/2012 10:08:22 am
This company is still doing this scam... called me last night sales rep. Thomas Brito offered me $31,000 for a time share I pad $15,000 for. Seemed to good to be true so toldhim I had to do my research...he said to call him back at 1866-590-7029 ext 131 tomorrow- never did!! But he stated sale might be gone but I could be put on wait list fo rnext buyer! SO glad I hung up!
Marilyn
12/10/2012 12:28:11 pm
We to we're called numerous times. Didn't look at this site till after I talked with my credit card co. He said be very careful with company's like this . I did give my cc# but while I was on hold with the UTSA. I CALL MY CC COMPANY. he put in that my cc had been stolen and no charges can be made on my card. .UTSA called back and wanted to know if I called my CC company to authorizes the magic number 1800.00 . I told them yes I did and told them we checked out their co. And that it is a big SCAM. My Card can't process any charges and Iam filing a report with the BBB IN OREGAN .I told him I was looking at this site as we speak and he said it was one of their competitor co. I finally told him not to call me again. They called everyday and will if they think they can sucker you in .sorry this is so long just don't want anyone else lose their money.
Marilyn
12/10/2012 02:29:13 pm
DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH UTSA. IT IS A BIG TIME SCAM. WILL NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. CALLS ALL THE TIME.LUCKED OUT BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH AND MY CREDIT CARD CO. THANK GOD FOR THEM.
Gail
12/26/2012 12:29:52 pm
I got sucked in over 2 years ago.....I call them at least 2 times every month asking for my refund. I have documentation for everyone that I have spoken to over the past 2 years....no one tells the same story twice...I have read all of the comments that have been written. Can we file something collectively about the $ we have lost? I gave them $1,000 to rent one week and for any future rentals or even sale that I ask them to handle. I am in the process of filing a consumer complaint with the state of Oregon. How do we get these guys shut down???????????? I will continue to call them monthly.....I hate to see the message they have in the computer beside my name!!! 12/28/2012 08:36:00 am
I have read all the postings on this site. I am sorry to say I fell for thier scam andi have called them 5 times and my bank and afterthree months I am still trying to get my 1800.00 back.Iwish i done more home work' 1/22/2013 03:08:54 pm
1-20-13 800pm I got a call from Joseph White, phone number 503-568-7627, Portland OR phone, saying my time share has been sold that that a buy is confirmed to deposit the $34,000 my asking prince tomorrow.
Rose
1/22/2013 05:48:26 pm
Can't believe we were scammed out of $2200. Same story as everyone on this site. Can never talk to a human! or they give you the same old story. DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH UNIVERSAL TIMESHARE SALES ASSOCIATES. Let's keep after them so they get arrested!!!
Christina Takle
1/31/2013 02:37:44 pm
This is totally unbeleivable!!!!!!! In an American society to have this total disregard for human intelligence.....I have been had tooooo many times and I thought with Universal Timeshare it would finally come thru....HAHAHAHA.It took a year to finally get to the "closing" with the postbonement here and the postbonement there due to this and that and various explainations as to buyer has to find other sources for better interest rates.YEA.Finally CLOSING!!!! Sure they ask you for more money and to send it thru "Money gram" all $1500.00 worth. Researched the "agent" who lived in an apartment building with a criminal record. The "Buyer" was living in Canada and we could not find that person.It all did not smell good.So I have declined unless I can meet up in person in NC with cash and see where this is going.......It is not worth it. I wish there was a relyable company who could sell you your timeshare....of course for a lot less...we all want the big money...that is not going to happen.... If someone offers you a lot less grab it.. it is worth the hassle. 2/1/2013 11:21:46 am
I was called by a man by the name of Thomas Brito at 866-590-7029 ext 110. when he found out i was willing to sell i was then transfered to Jeremy Perkins same phone # ext.104.he told me he had a buyer for my timeshare for 92000.00.I had to give him my cc number so i could be charged 1800.00.but i didn't do it,he keep saying time is running out,i took the stuff to my lawyer and he said it was a SCAM,stay away.he also gave me the buyers name they were from manatoba,canada
Jeff
6/12/2013 12:36:46 pm
I am a viictim of fraud. I got a call from Universal Timeshare Sales Associates and spoke to a person named Phillip Rios at 866-590-7029 ext. 114. He made me believe the company was able to re-sell my timeshare. He emailed me a proposal as well as an agreement. He even told me to check out their website. http://www.universaltimesharesa.com/ and It looked legit. Unfortunately, I gave my CC info and was charged $1800 for all the service fees. Like everyone else on here, he mentioned that there is a buyer from Canada and it will take time to have the money sent over to me because the buyer needs to get approval from a loan company. Here I am calling them every few days to get an update on my sale of the timeshare and customer service would tell me its in the process and to call back at a later date. They never called me to update me and it felt like I was the one who kept on chasing after them to get updates. I called the numbers, 1-866-590-7029 and 1-888-491-5982 recently and the automated line ask to press 1 for customer service or 2 for extension of the party trying to reach. I pressed 1 and I was on hold for a few minutes before it automatically hangs up. I called again and it would do the same. I even pressed 2 and typed in the extension and it would disconnect. I check the website and its no longer available. What can I do to get my money back?? Thanks.
June & George Dotson
6/18/2013 07:47:00 am
We were scammed big time on Oct.2012. I am 81Yrs. old and told Chris Price that would need to talk to my children. He said he had a Mother about that age and he would come after anyone that scammed her. I paid the $1800 and have been calling since Oct. I received a letter that the time share had been sold for $90,000.Now there is no answers to the telephone calls. I hope you find this Chris Price and put him in jail.
Gene
9/26/2013 08:39:10 am
I called Marriott after I had authorized $1800 to Universal for "closing costs" and found out it was a scam. I immediately called my credit card company and reported the scam. They told me the company was out of the Dominican Republic. They killed the transaction and my account and issued me a new card under a new account number. Despite never signing a contract and returning all documents in the mail as refused, I still get calls from these guys about going to closing. The latest came today from a "Sergio Sanchez" stating he was from Marriott had a check for $21,000 for me if I would just authorize the release of the deed. When I pressed him whether or not we was with Marriott International or Marriott Corporation, He kept repeating that he was with "your Marriott Timeshare Company". The phone number for "Mister Santos" is one of those internet phone jack contraptions with a Salem Oregon area code. Finally, "Sergio Santos" has the same voice and New York Hispanic accent as the guy from Universal Timeshares that almost succeeded in scamming me last March. BEWARE! Comments are closed.
|
Past Scam Alerts:
All
|
RSS Feed