Timeshare Exit Offers: Warning Signs Before You Pay

Many timeshare owners reach a point where they want out. Maybe the maintenance fees keep rising, the family no longer travels, or the property is hard to book. That is exactly the moment when exit offers start arriving by phone, mail, and online ads. Some companies offering help are legitimate. Others, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), take money and deliver little or nothing. This guide explains the warning signs and the steps to take before you pay anyone.

Why exit offers find you

The FTC's guide on timeshares, vacation clubs, and related scams explains that scammers may use public records to find timeshare owners' contact information, even if the owners are not looking for a way out. They may promise to get you out of the timeshare, sometimes even claiming you will make money.

In a 2022 consumer alert, Want to get rid of your timeshare? Read this before you hire someone to help, the FTC described a case in which it said a company invited older adults to in-person presentations, used pressure tactics to sign them up, collected large fees, and rarely delivered.

Warning signs of a timeshare exit scam

The FTC lists these signs:

• Unsolicited calls or messages offering advice or help getting out of your timeshare
• "Guarantees" or "promises" to cancel your timeshare contract
• Demands for large up-front fees before anything is done
• Instructions to stop paying your mortgage or fees

The FTC also notes that after taking a payment, some of these operators do nothing, or simply contact the timeshare company on your behalf, which is something you could do yourself for free.

Resale offers have their own red flags

Some offers are not about canceling but about selling. In a 2025 alert on selling a timeshare and avoiding scams, the FTC describes scammers who claim to have interested buyers but ask for money up front for "taxes" or "closing costs," promising a refund later. The FTC says that in these cases there is no buyer, and people who pay lose the money. It also warns about companies that keep asking for more, including money for a lawyer to "complete the sale" or to sue.

The FTC suggests trying to work with a reseller that takes its fee after the timeshare is sold. It also recommends getting everything in writing before you pay or sign, making sure the contract matches any spoken promises about what the company will do, what it charges, and when. The FTC adds that you should not assume you will get back what you originally paid for the timeshare.

Free steps to try first

• Contact your timeshare company directly. The FTC notes that some timeshare companies have exit programs that let you get out of the contract.
• Read your contract. Look for terms about transfer, resale, and termination.
• Check cooling-off rights if you bought recently. The FTC explains that state law or your contract may give you a period to cancel after signing, sometimes called a "right of rescission" or "cooling-off period." If you cancel, the FTC recommends sending a letter by certified mail with a return receipt.

If you decide to hire help

Before you pay or sign anything, the FTC advises:

• Research the company. Search its name with "scam" or "complaint."
• Study the paperwork on your own. Get every promise in writing. The FTC calls this your right.
• Ask about canceling the exit contract. In certain circumstances you may have a cooling-off period for that contract too.
• Compare written promises to spoken ones. Make sure the written contract says what the salesperson said, including what they will do, what it costs, and when you pay.

Where a lawyer fits

Timeshare law is mostly state law. The FTC notes that the laws governing timeshares are specific to the state where the property is located. A lawyer licensed in that state can review your contract and explain your options. A legitimate lawyer will explain what they will do and how they charge, and will not promise a particular outcome.

Be careful with companies that say they work with "attorneys" but will not tell you who the attorney is. Ask for the lawyer's name and the state that licensed them, then check the state bar's public records yourself. Our business law practice page describes the kinds of contract matters business lawyers often handle.

Where to report a problem

The FTC says to report timeshare resale scams and other timeshare-related scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the state attorney general in the state where the timeshare is located, and to the Better Business Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Can a company guarantee it will get me out of my timeshare?

The FTC lists "guarantees" or "promises" to cancel a timeshare contract as a warning sign of an exit scam. No one can promise a specific outcome.

Should I stop paying my maintenance fees while an exit company works on my case?

The FTC lists instructions to stop paying your mortgage or fees as a warning sign. Stopping payments can have serious consequences, so talk to a licensed lawyer first.

Is there anything I can do for free?

Yes. Start by contacting your timeshare company. The FTC notes that some have exit programs.

Where do I report a timeshare exit scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the attorney general in the state where the timeshare is located, and the Better Business Bureau.

Related: Browse guides on legal topics.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.