Timeshare Tips Provided by the BBB
by Transfer America on May 4th, 2012
filed under Transfer America
Transfer America reports on the Midwest. According to sources, the Better Business Bureau has sent out notice that warns timeshare owners of a Wisconsin based timeshare reseller that has been preying on Tucson residents. The business has also called themselves the National Timeshare Resale (NTR) and Integrated Advertising Solutions. Both these companies have received an F rating with the BBB and have racked up a lot of customer complaints.
Apparently, this company charges timeshare owners an upfront fee claiming to have a buyer waiting to purchase their timeshare. However, once the company received the money, the buyer never materialized and the sellers never heard from the company again. The BBB has already sent several notifications requesting this company to verify its techniques and to provide the name and contact information for customers who have successfully sold their timeshare through their services. However, Midwest Timeshares has yet to respond to any of the requests.
The BBB president commented, “If you want to sell your timeshare, contact a real estate agent. Do not pay money to a stranger that you have only spoken with over the phone that you have never seen nor met.”
The state states, “I understand that our economy has been struggling, and some timeshare owners may be desperate to rid themselves of their investment and make some money. Unfortunately, scammers are capitalizing on this desperation. And by the time they realize that they were scammed, it may be too late to get a refund through their credit card company.”
Pickpocket-proof Products
by Transfer America on April 25th, 2012
filed under Transfer America
Traveling has been enjoyed by many throughout the centuries. Being able to see amazing architecture and experience new culture has uplifted many. On the other hand, traveling can also be quite dangerous as well. Many travelers have been the victims of theft and assault. Being able to protect your valuables and belongings is extremely important especially if you’re traveling abroad. New inventions such as travel bands and pickpocket-proof clothing are now used to ensure the safety of important documents.
The CEO of On Call International, Mike Kelly, commented, “We get reports fairly regularly about wallets going missing and things being taken from purses. It seems to happen a lot in heavy tourist zones in London, Italy and even some Asian countries. One expert believes that in Rome more than 300 tourists get their pockets picked each day.”
Travel bands were created as a way to store important documents under your clothing. The travel band is a waistband that is meant to wrap around your hips while the Travel Wing is worn over your bra against your back. These items weren’t meant to replace money pouches or purses but are used to store valuables that do not need to be accessed. These items are available at Dovetail Travel in Peace as well as other websites.
Pickpocket-proof pants were also created as a way to safe guard valuables. These pants provide the same kind of security as the money-belt. Though these pants are only available in men’s sizes, a women’s line is currently being created.
Adam Rapp, creator of pickpocket-proof pants, commented, “All our hip pockets have the ability to be single or double secured and our rear left cargo pocket has an internal passport-sized pocket which would give you triple security. In order for a pickpocket to get into that pocket, they would have to undo two zippers and two buttons.”
Pickpocket-proof skivvies were created by Johanna Denize, who had been the victim of pickpocketing during her years of travel. The pickpocket-proof skivvies are a line of underwear with hidden pockets and is currently available as boy shorts for women and boxer briefs for men as well as T-shirts, tank tops and long johns. Each product has two pockets with secure zippers.
Denize commented, “I had tried money belts, neck pouches and even hiding my money in my socks, but wasn’t happy with those solutions. Panties with hidden pockets work because no one but the person wearing our clothes will ever know where the valuables are hidden.”
Transfer America hopes that all travelers are equipped with the right items while traveling across the country or overseas. Losing valuables is never a good experience.
by Transfer America on April 19th, 2012
filed under Transfer America
Transfer America reports on nine people who were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly being involved in a $2.4 million mail fraud conspiracy. This conspiracy involved timeshare mortgages and those arrested are scheduled to have their initial “court appearances in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands before coming to New Jersey to answer for the charges in complaints”.
The investigation revealed that the defendants were working through the VO Group and from 2009 to 2011, “participated in a fraudulent scheme in which representatives of the VO Group, often using false identities, telephoned owners of timeshare vacation properties purchased from Flagship Resort Development, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Inc., and other timeshare developers”.
These representatives convinced timeshare owners that they could pay off the mortgage balance at a lower price by mailing their payments to the VO Group. Instead of using the money to pay off the timeshares, the representatives would use the money for personal items. The investigation also revealed that there was approximately 225 victims and most of them were elderly.