Missouri Going After Timeshare Fraud
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
State of Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed a lawsuit in Taney County Circuit Court against Branson log Homes, a company which does business as Executive Timbers Resort and Golf Course. The lawsuit alleges that the southwest Missouri company used deceptive practices, fraud, and misrepresentation in the sale an advertisement of timeshare memberships, timeshare plans, and timeshare property.
Details of the Alleged Timeshare Fraud
According to the Attorney General’s Office, consumers who contacted them complained that the timeshare company:
- Failed to provide required notice to them of their right to cancel contracts.
- Failed to allow consumers to cancel their contracts within five days after they purchased a timeshare membership.
- Billed timeshare buyers for maintenance or upkeep fees on property they were trading in, after neglecting to inform consumers that they would be required to pay such fees.
- Did not reimburse consumers for maintenance fees after telling them those fees would be reimbursed.
- Promised that consumers who purchases a timeshare membership, plan, or property from them would receive certain benefits , but then didn’t make good on those promises, and
- Did not disclose the fact that it was already over $30,000 in debt to the travel club that it was using to provide travel club memberships to the consumers.
What To Do If You Are a Victim of a Timeshare Scam
The Missouri Attorney General’s investigation has revealed that most victims of this timeshare scam have lost between $7,000 and $17,000 each, but some people may have lost more. If you want more information about this problem, contact the Office of the Attorney General at [email protected] or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).
If you believe you are a victim of timeshare fraud in another US state, contact that state’s office of Consumer Protection or the Attorney General. Another way to learn more about protecting yourself against timeshare fraud is to talk with other timeshare owners.
And to learn more about safe and cost effective ways to buy timeshare, visit the website for Sell My Timeshare NOW.