STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The summer vacation season is fast-approaching, encouraging many people to consider their travel options —  including some seeking to sell their  timeshare properties.

But beware: Within a moments notice you can be a victim of property fraud. This is why the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) is cautioning consumers about recent timeshare resale scams.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced 191 actions to stop fraudulent operations hawking timeshare property resale services and travel prizes, including three FTC cases, 83 civil actions brought by 28 states, and 25 actions brought by law enforcement agencies in 10 other countries.

More than 184 individuals face criminal prosecution by U.S. Attorneys and local law enforcement.

“Con artists take advantage of timeshare owners who have been in tough financial straits and are desperate to sell their timeshares,” Charles A. Harwood, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said during a press conference in Miami.

“They persuade owners to pay fat up-front fees by saying they have someone ready to buy the property, but that’s a lie,” he said. “Our message to timeshare owners is simple: never pay for a promise, get everything in writing first, and pay only after your unit is sold.  Our message to timeshare resale scammers is simple, too:  law enforcement agencies at every level of government are working together to put an end to this problem.”

LEARN MORE

To help people avoid these kinds of scams, the FTC has updated its consumer education materials on new and emerging travel and timeshare resale frauds at ftc.gov/travel, which includes an interactive travel fraud game.  The FTC also has a new infographic explaining how a timeshare resale scam works.

About The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR)

The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR) is the largest not-for-profit trade association in Staten Island, N.Y.

SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically; and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

Comprised of over 1,600 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Inc. (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale. Together, its members participate in over 3,000 real estate transactions every year.

All SIBOR members belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

SIBOR may be reached at 718-979-0007 and viewed online at http://siborrealtors.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Board of Realtors,” on Twitter via @SIBOR, and on YouTube at the Staten Island Board of Realtors and RelevantPR channels.

Media Contact: Barton Horowitz

Relevant Public Relations, LLC

Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509

Mobile: 917‑715‑8761

Email: [email protected]