Apparently, the Mexican drug cartels are seeing timeshares as an illegal business that’s almost as profitable as drugs.
I suspect that no one on this board owns a timeshare, but that almost everyone on this board knows of someone who does.
This is an automatically-generated Wiki post for this new topic. Any member can edit this post and use it as a summary of the topic’s highlights.
This article has little to do with timeshares being bad. IIRC (I read it when it came out), It describes a couple who were duped into trying to sell their timeshare by scammers who just happened to be associated with a cartel. The scam is just a variant of the classic “your dead relative left you a fortune, we just need you to pay our small fee to process the paperwork and send you the money”. Even people who don’t own timeshares fall for this.
1 Like
I think it is so successful because so many people want to get out of timeshares, and they are nearly impossible to get out of. When you get a seemingly legitimate offer to get out of it, you’re tempted more than normal, and are more likely to semi-overlook what is obvious in the Nigerian prince scams.
2 Likes
Had one b/f we became financially savvy. It was in PHX so we could day use everyday as club, with pool fitness etc.
Till C19, they said no day use only hotel guests. I said fine but I’m not paying dues. So I did end up giving it back after 2 years of dues adding up. I did see the predatory get out of “jail” dinners,
I did not get asked to do a sale pitch at Marriot PV in MX, but I did walk past a lot of vultures at the airport since I had heard about the cartels. Apparently the new regime says hugs, not bullets so…
1 Like
Just curious, how did you get out of it? My ex-was able to get out of hers by dying, but I don’t see that as a viable option for most. 
My guess is you can get out the same way you can get out of any property – stop paying.
Lot’s of people wish. They will come after you for your lack of payment on the timeshare itself, and on any yearly dues you’ve failed to pay. They are on the same level as debt collectors.
Isn’t the debt secured by the property? They can take the property in lieu of payment.
Kind of, but not really. Paperwork labels you liable for the debt. Thus, the debtor will come after you (the most likely source of funds) before “attempting” to liquidate your propery, which will never cover your debt.
1 Like
Vultures 
1 Like
Just a random data point, Marriot did not even file a claim on the estate, which really surprised me. The payments were up to date at the time of death. One other timeshare did file a claim, but they were a week too late. HA!
1 Like
Bluegreen does allow deed back. I’m sure the “good” ones do, not the cartel. Had to go to notary just like real estate.
RE: death I joked with my son if he keeps up his antics we would deed over to him…
2 Likes