On 1-20-09 Steven Morris on behalf of Hellotimeshares.com called me and told me that they had an offer for my timeshare that I own at Westgate resorts. He said I had an offer for 24,000.00. A European family has secured financing with Citigroup and Wells Fargo. They also have put a deposit of $3,000.00, and that the sell is guaranteed. It will be completed within. 4-6 weeks, and I should receive my check at that time, but that I had to pay $2000.00 to be able to receive offer and all the fees. He suggested If I pay by check I could save about $200.00 but they take credit cards too. I told him I felt safer paying by credit card. He gave me his company Phone # 1-877-264-4232, and address at 7011 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando FL. 32829. He also game me his cell # 407-575-1672 so I could call him directly. He then had a David Green verified the same info I had received at 8:51 P.M. Confirmation #149872. He said I will receive some paperwork that I need to sign and send back. I told them that if there are any discrepancies between the paperwork and what they told me on the phone, I will not sign and call to cancel, or contact my credit card to dispute the charges for fraud. He said there will be no need to do that, and that I will be very happy with the sale of my timeshare. Also he said that I would have 7 days to cancel after reviewing the contract.
On 1-21, Morris called me again at my cell around 8:15 P.M. And told me we needed to do the verification again 8:15 to redo the verification. He gave me the confirmation # 1232587411380566. I told him that I had called the phone # he had given me, but the phone was not working. So he also gave me another ph # 1-888-271-1319, but he never told me that this was the phone # for another company. I called him a little later at his cell to make sure the cell was legit, and he answered it. I told him I was making sure I had the right cell #.
Later the same night I called this new # 1-888-271-1319 and the recording said this was The Villa Trader Inc. Because Steven called me on behalf of Hello Timeshares, and never mentioned The Villa Trader, I googled The Villa Trader, and this is what I found: www.thevillatrader.com @ 419 N. Magnolia Ave Suite 104 Orlando, FL 32811 Telephone: 1-888-271-1319. I visited this webpage and it seemed legit to me, I thought this was the same companies. I was a little discouraged about this, but decided to wait for the papers in the mail. Steven had mentioned that I had seven days to cancel, and that I would have the papers within 4 days.
By Jan. 28 I was getting worried because I had not received any papers yet. I called The Villa Trader 1-888-271-1319 (this was the only phone number that actually worked) and left a message regarding the papers. On Jan, 29, about 10:30 A.M., a Francis with customer services called me telling me they had sent the info/contract by email, not by express mail as promised by Steven) but it happened that they had an incorrect email address for me. I told him I was expecting the papers in the mail as it was promised by Steven Morris (red flag). Also I asked him about Hellotimeshares, and he said he knew nothing about hellotimeshares (red flag) I also asked him about the sale of my timeshares. He said he did not know anything about it. That he was just customer service, and an agent would call me back. I told him to email the info/contract at my right email address, and expected to be in agreement with what Steven Morris had told me on the phone. So very quickly I came to check my email and open an attachment and see the agreement I was supposed to sign. Among other things, this is what the agreement says:
I the undersigned authorize The Villa Trader to contact my resort In order to acquire any pertinent information concerning my unit. I hereby grant The Villa Trader permission to register my property on The Villa Trader website and network. I authorize The Villa Trader to make information I provide available to interested buyers, renters, and real estate brokers. The Villa Trader is a worldwide agency specializing in the advertising of timeshare properties. I agree to notify The Villa Trader of any changes to the availability of my property in a timely manner. I understand that any changes or updates will be free of charge. We guarantee to market your timeshare until rented or sold. If for any reason your timeshare Exceeds the 90 day time frame, we will renew your advertising at no additional cost to you. This agreement may be cancelled within 7 business days. Thereafter, this is a non-refundable agreement.
Nowhere it says that I was paying for title search, title transfer and legal fees; that the timeshare was already sold, and that I would have my $ in 4 to 6 weeks), as agreed upon by phone with Steven.
I immediately called Hello timeshare 1-877-264-4232 (the # on their website) and there was no answer nor answering machine available) Red flag. Then I called The villa trader to see what is going on and ask some questions regarding my transaction. No one answered, so I left a message telling them what I received on that email is not what I agreed to, and to cancel everything and refund my $2000.00. I also told them to call me back if they need to.
I also called Steven at his cell 407-575-1672, and left a message telling him what I received is totally different to what he had promised me. I later (2:42 P.M.) called the Villa Trader # and left another message for Steven Morris, asking him to cancel, and refund immediately, unless he sends me a contract stating what he has promised me on the phone. I googled The Vila Trader and what came up was a www.redweek.com with a bunch of bad reports, so I got really scared.
Called back at 2:55 and a man named Cooper answered the phone but could not help me and transferred me to Francis. I Spoke with Francis and asked him who I needed to talk to cancel. Then he said I had to speak with Steven Morris, but he is not available now. I told him that I have already left two messages for him, and that I expect him to call me back today.
Later in the afternoon Steven called me and said there has been a misunderstanding, and that he would call me back so we can talk about the issue this evening to explain. But he never called me back.
I called my credit card company, Citibank and placed a dispute. The lady at the dispute department took my information, and said they will do their best to get my $ back. They will contact me with any info they get.
Saturday 1:32 pm Called TVT no answer or answering machine. I also called Steven at his cell #. He did dot answer, so I left a message asking why he did not call be back, and if they have refunded my $ yet.
At 2:30, I emailed The Villa Trader asking them to cancel and explained all the reasons why. The looked at the agreement again, and noticed that in the address, there is another Ph # 321-206-0937. Called this # and this is a valid # for them, but the answering machine picks up asking to leave a message as all agents are busy now, I left a message telling them That I have been waiting for their call, so, and that I have sent them an email asking for the cancellation of the agreement I did not sign because it was not consistent with what Mr. Morris told me on the phone. I tell them again to cancel and refund my $. I also left my name and ph # for them to call me if needed.
So far, no one has contacted me. So I am assuming it was all a scam.
I will update this report if I hear from them.
Samuel
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
U.S.A.
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