Is an offer to buy my timeshare or holiday club membership a scam?
Almost always yes. Timeshare resale fraud specifically targets people who are already struggling to exit their contracts.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Timeshare resale fraud preys on owners who are desperate to sell and have already lost money on a timeshare or holiday club contract. A caller — sometimes claiming to represent a resale agency or a buyer with a named interested party — says they can sell the timeshare quickly for a good price but requires an upfront fee for legal fees, transfer taxes, escrow, or marketing. After the fee is paid, the buyer vanishes or invents additional charges. In a variation sometimes called a 'cold call exit scam', the caller claims to be a law firm that can cancel the timeshare contract for a fee. Legitimate timeshare exit options exist but involve regulated legal professionals, not cold callers. Any approach that starts with an unsolicited call and leads to an upfront fee should be treated as fraud.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call offering to buy or exit your timeshare
- Upfront fee required before any transaction completes
- Company found only through the cold call with no verifiable address
- Claims of a named buyer ready to proceed immediately
- Pressure to pay quickly before the buyer changes their mind
What to do now
- Do not pay any upfront fee in response to an unsolicited call
- Research the company independently before providing any information
- Contact your timeshare provider directly to understand your exit options
- Seek advice from a regulated legal professional for legitimate exit routes
Frequently asked questions
Are there any legitimate companies that help exit timeshares?
Some regulated solicitors and consumer rights firms do assist with timeshare exits, but they are found through referrals and professional registers — not cold calls.