[ 2021 ] Southwest Deed & Title Company--Anyone with experience with their lawsuits?

[murgy]

I've signed up for a seminar with this company. They say they are suing Timeshare companies for practices that limit owners access to the properties, exorbitant management fees and our inability to sell back the units. At least that is what I understand. Before I attend the seminar, I'd like to find out if anyone has experience dealing with these attorneys?

 

[RX8]

What do you own and do you have a mortgage?

This particular company has been in business for less than three years. These companies come and go because there is lots of profits to be made from timeshare owners. I also doubt there are any attorneys associated with this company. This industry is unregulated so there is little risk if they don’t perform, they just go out of business.

None of these upfront fee exit companies are worth doing business with, even those who have been around for awhile. If you attend the seminar they will use high pressure scare tactics and spew lots of half truths and outright lies. They will charge you multiple thousands of dollars upfront. One of two outcomes likely. One is that they contact your timeshare company on your behalf and utilize an available deedback program that your timeshare company already has for owners. The fee the timeshare company charges will be just a fraction of what you paid the exit company upfront. The other likely outcome is that they string you along for months, or even years all the while you still own the timeshare and the annual fees. Even if they have a “100% money back guarantee” they will stall. If your timeshare company eventually forecloses on you the exit company will deny your money back guarantee because they consider a foreclosure as successfully getting you out of your timeshare.

What can you do? Contact your timeshare company and ask about a deedback program (there must be no mortgage). If they don’t have a formal deedback program explain your situation and ask about a deed in lieu of foreclosure. You can also offer your timeshare for free here on TUG or elsewhere. Even if you offer to pay closing costs and include a $500 Visa card payable at closing you will be way ahead compared to paying thousands of dollars to an exit company. Don’t let the process of giving away your timeshare scare you as TUG members can help you and there is one closing company recommended by many users here that will handle the whole process for a nominal fee.

Whatever you do, don’t pay a company like this many thousands of dollars.

Good luck!

 

[LannyPC]

They say they are suing Timeshare companies for practices...

A couple of questions here. First, how did you come to know or hear of this company?

Secondly, what are you hoping to accomplish with this company? Your OP says that they are suing. Are you wanting to get in on a class-action suit? Or are you just looking to get rid of your TS?

 

[murgy]

Thank you for writing. This company approached me on the phone. When I told them I was not interested in a resale (because of TUG reports) they said they were not involved in resales but a class action lawsuit for unfair practices to owners. They invited me to a seminar next weekend to meet with attorneys. They did say no money was involved, but this statement I doubted and wanted to check on with TUG.

 

[LannyPC]

It's possible that no money would be involved but I kind of doubt that they would go through the time and costs of telemarketing if no money were to be made for them.

That being said, even if they do not want any money from you, I'm always leery of these law firms that try to round up owners for a class-action lawsuit. Just read what happened when there was a lawsuit won against RCI about 10 years ago and what the plaintiffs got in this "victory".

 

[rickandcindy23]

This is a scam. Do not fall for it.

 

[RX8]

Thank you for writing. This company approached me on the phone. When I told them I was not interested in a resale (because of TUG reports) they said they were not involved in resales but a class action lawsuit for unfair practices to owners. They invited me to a seminar next weekend to meet with attorneys. They did say no money was involved, but this statement I doubted and wanted to check on with TUG.

Are you on the DNC list? If so then they violated the law by calling you and it gives you a good idea of who you are dealing with.

From their website it is clear that they are an exit company and nothing more. There website says that a “timeshare contract specialist” would meet with you to discuss your exit options. Their website doesn’t mention anything about attorneys.

I believe that their claim of meeting with an attorney is a lie in order to get people to sign up for their seminar. Once there, they will use high pressure and tell you all the bad stories about timeshares. They will run a cost calculator and tell you that you are going to waste tens of thousands of dollars in the future on your timeshare. Once done, they will ask for $3,000 to $5,000 to get you out of your timeshare, to be paid up front. From there, you are gambling that they will do something and the odds aren’t in your favor.

 

[chapjim]

It's possible that no money would be involved but I kind of doubt that they would go through the time and costs of telemarketing if no money were to be made for them.

That being said, even if they do not want any money from you, I'm always leery of these law firms that try to round up owners for a class-action lawsuit. Just read what happened when there was a lawsuit won against RCI about 10 years ago and what the plaintiffs got in this "victory".

As I've posted before, the real plaintiffs in class actions are the attorneys. They get money (if they win or settle). Members of the class get vouchers (or something else of limited value).

 

[HudsHut]

https:// www. southwestdeedandtitle. net/
If this is their website, they are a "timeshare exit" company. (I entered spaces so as to not give them free advertising.)
They spun the class action tale to get you in. Then, as RX8 said, they will use high-pressure sales methods to get you to pay them upfront to "market" your timeshare.

 

[Verified ex-employee]

EVERYONE! I am a former employee of SWDT. They are not a scam but I will explain exactly how they operate. They treated us poorly so I have no reason to remain loyal to them. What happens is they call you and tell you about a lawsuit they are claiming is going on. They will NEVER mention it again but it's used to get your attention. They want you come sit down with our "road crew" which is just a bunch of high ticket salesmen. They require you pay $30 cash over the phone via card or whatever with the guarantee that you get it back for showing up. (That information is safely stored and not used to scam anyone.) WHEN YOU SHOW UP, you get your money back and they sit down with you and learn everything about your TS. They then do a presentation on how TS are the worst thing in the world but not about a lawsuit since they are not attorneys. (SWDT has no attorney and outsources their work to another company for $1,500 on average). They convince you that it will cost $6,995 or else your kids will inherit this thing regardless (which is technically true). So to summarize... no lawsuit, not a scam, and yes a lot of money is secretly involved. We just used to say that so we could get anyone to appear because we only made pennies on the dollar for closing appointments compared to management. Do with this as you see fit and have a great day.

 

[rickandcindy23]

EVERYONE! I am a former employee of SWDT. They are not a scam but I will explain exactly how they operate. They treated us poorly so I have no reason to remain loyal to them. What happens is they call you and tell you about a lawsuit they are claiming is going on. They will NEVER mention it again but it's used to get your attention. They want you come sit down with our "road crew" which is just a bunch of high ticket salesmen. They require you pay $30 cash over the phone via card or whatever with the guarantee that you get it back for showing up. (That information is safely stored and not used to scam anyone.) WHEN YOU SHOW UP, you get your money back and they sit down with you and learn everything about your TS. They then do a presentation on how TS are the worst thing in the world but not about a lawsuit since they are not attorneys. (SWDT has no attorney and outsources their work to another company for $1,500 on average). They convince you that it will cost $6,995 or else your kids will inherit this thing regardless (which is technically true). So to summarize... no lawsuit, not a scam, and yes a lot of money is secretly involved. We just used to say that so we could get anyone to appear because we only made pennies on the dollar for closing appointments compared to management. Do with this as you see fit and have a great day.

The timeshare can be refused by any heir, so it's not "technically true" that heirs must take the timeshare. They can choose to take it, or they can refuse it, and there is nothing the timeshare company can do about it.

We all know what a scam these companies are. It's too bad everyone doesn't find TUG before giving a dime to these crooks.

 

[RX8]

They are not a scam but I will explain exactly how they operate.

Your explanations of how they operate, primarily by lies, lies and more lies (I.e. no one is forced to accept a timeshare as an inheritance), screams scam.

 

[dioxide45]

The question is, what does the other outsource company actually do? My guess is nothing. Why have them at all? Just a guise to make people think something is happening when all they do is either ask the timeshare company for a deedback or let it fall into foreclosure. $7K for that, if it isn't a scam it is a rip off. Kind of the same thing I guess...

 

[TATAR-Mortensen Cristiani]

STAY AWAY THIS SCAMMING COMPANY!
lying ripoff artists, false come ons (no lawsuits etc) false claims
they take more of your money and vanish
Not a happy camper
Mortensen Calini beach club

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

It's possible that no money would be involved but I kind of doubt that they would go through the time and costs of telemarketing if no money were to be made for them.

That being said, even if they do not want any money from you, I'm always leery of these law firms that try to round up owners for a class-action lawsuit. Just read what happened when there was a lawsuit won against RCI about 10 years ago and what the plaintiffs got in this "victory".

Law firms looking to sign up clients for lawsuits don’t hold seminars. Law firms don’t need to recruit class action members, that’s now how class action lawsuits work. This group is lying to you.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

As I've posted before, the real plaintiffs in class actions are the attorneys. They get money (if they win or settle). Members of the class get vouchers (or something else of limited value).

Attorneys also don’t “recruit” class members. They don’t have to. They will have a few lead plaintiffs but they’re not going to get them by holding seminars.

 

[RX8]

STAY AWAY THIS SCAMMING COMPANY!
lying ripoff artists, false come ons (no lawsuits etc) false claims
they take more of your money and vanish
Not a happy camper
Mortensen Calini beach club

While you can write about your experience about Southwest Deed and Title Company on various forums it won’t have the effect you are hoping for. Many people just don’t research these scammer companies until after they have been scammed. We only wished you had searched them beforehand as you would have found this thread.

If you really want to make a difference, file a complaint with the state Attorney General. File a complaint with the BBB. File a complaint with FTC. Contact your local news station.

Southwest Deed and Title | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

View customer complaints of Southwest Deed and Title, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides.

www.bbb.org

Don’t know where you live but here is how you file a Texas Attorney General complaint.

File a Consumer Complaint | Office of the Attorney General

Here's what you need to know before you file a complaint:Read about the types of complaints you can file and pick the complaint form that addresses your problem.Take a moment to prepare and have important information on hand. Learn what information you will need to include in your complaint.Know...

www.texasattorneygeneral.gov

 

[90MinuteNightmare]

While you can write about your experience about Southwest Deed and Title Company on various forums it won’t have the effect you are hoping for. Many people just don’t research these scammer companies until after they have been scammed. We only wished you had searched them beforehand as you would have found this thread.

If you really want to make a difference, file a complaint with the state Attorney General. File a complaint with the BBB. File a complaint with FTC. Contact your local news station.

Southwest Deed and Title | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

View customer complaints of Southwest Deed and Title, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides.

www.bbb.org

Don’t know where you live but here is how you file a Texas Attorney General complaint.

File a Consumer Complaint | Office of the Attorney General

Here's what you need to know before you file a complaint:Read about the types of complaints you can file and pick the complaint form that addresses your problem.Take a moment to prepare and have important information on hand. Learn what information you will need to include in your complaint.Know...

www.texasattorneygeneral.gov

Hey RX8 - Great advice! I am trying to hep out my grandparents who were scammed by SWDT-is there a way that we can chat directly? I cannot locate a feature on the website to message you directly...

 

[90MinuteNightmare]

EVERYONE! I am a former employee of SWDT. They are not a scam but I will explain exactly how they operate. They treated us poorly so I have no reason to remain loyal to them. What happens is they call you and tell you about a lawsuit they are claiming is going on. They will NEVER mention it again but it's used to get your attention. They want you come sit down with our "road crew" which is just a bunch of high ticket salesmen. They require you pay $30 cash over the phone via card or whatever with the guarantee that you get it back for showing up. (That information is safely stored and not used to scam anyone.) WHEN YOU SHOW UP, you get your money back and they sit down with you and learn everything about your TS. They then do a presentation on how TS are the worst thing in the world but not about a lawsuit since they are not attorneys. (SWDT has no attorney and outsources their work to another company for $1,500 on average). They convince you that it will cost $6,995 or else your kids will inherit this thing regardless (which is technically true). So to summarize... no lawsuit, not a scam, and yes a lot of money is secretly involved. We just used to say that so we could get anyone to appear because we only made pennies on the dollar for closing appointments compared to management. Do with this as you see fit and have a great day.

Hey Verified ex-employee. Thank you for stepping up and posting this. I am trying to help out my grandparents who are in their 90s who were scammed by SWDT. Let me know if you get this.

 

[WorldT]

EVERYONE! I am a former employee of SWDT. They are not a scam but I will explain exactly how they operate. They treated us poorly so I have no reason to remain loyal to them. What happens is they call you and tell you about a lawsuit they are claiming is going on. They will NEVER mention it again but it's used to get your attention. They want you come sit down with our "road crew" which is just a bunch of high ticket salesmen. They require you pay $30 cash over the phone via card or whatever with the guarantee that you get it back for showing up. (That information is safely stored and not used to scam anyone.) WHEN YOU SHOW UP, you get your money back and they sit down with you and learn everything about your TS. They then do a presentation on how TS are the worst thing in the world but not about a lawsuit since they are not attorneys. (SWDT has no attorney and outsources their work to another company for $1,500 on average). They convince you that it will cost $6,995 or else your kids will inherit this thing regardless (which is technically true). So to summarize... no lawsuit, not a scam, and yes a lot of money is secretly involved. We just used to say that so we could get anyone to appear because we only made pennies on the dollar for closing appointments compared to management. Do with this as you see fit and have a great day.

This is the very definition of a scam.

 

[WorldT]

Hey Verified ex-employee. Thank you for stepping up and posting this. I am trying to help out my grandparents who are in their 90s who were scammed by SWDT. Let me know if you get this.

Sorry, the ex employee can't help you. Review the details of what transpired with your grand parents. If there is documentation of fraud, you may have legal recourse. But remember, these types of companies do not have any assets. So even if you sue them and win, you are unlikely to get anything.
You can also report them to the attorney generals/ district attorney office and the BBB. More to help other people not fall for the scam.
Finally, of the paid with a card and are within the window, you can contest the charge.

 

[RX8]

Hey RX8 - Great advice! I am trying to hep out my grandparents who were scammed by SWDT-is there a way that we can chat directly? I cannot locate a feature on the website to message you directly...

I believe that private messages are opened up after you have made three posts.

The company’s website no longer comes up meaning they have likely shut down, and very possibly just started up under a new name.

If you haven’t already, the complaints still need to be filled. It is possible that the BBB or Attorney General can link these bad guys with a prior or current operation. Also, contact your local watchdog TV station, especially since this scum company scammed 90+ year old senior citizens. File a complaint with the San Antonio Police Department. They may have knowledge on who these people are. If they paid by credit card dispute the charges, even if past the deadline.

The sad reality is that even if you do everything you can do there is no guarantee you will see any satisfaction. In fact, the odds are not in your favor. This company was created with a single purpose - to steal timeshare owner’s money. However, they are experts in doing just enough to avoid arrest. Part of that is having signed contracts that are likely completely different that what was said verbally. They want this to look like a unsatisfied customer with the services provided which is a civil matter and not a criminal act. That said, if enough people file complaints, the Attorney General can investigate and find that no actual services are being provided and/or criminal intent.

Wish you luck.

 

[RX8]

Some information:

The owner of Southwest Deed and Title, LLC is Jeffery Darren Barber. He previously lived in Missouri but he is currently residing in New Braunfels, Texas. His home address and phone number are public records and can be found easily with a search (I am not going to post them here). In addition to Southwest Deed and Title, he is associated with the following companies:

Nationwide Transfer, LLC d/b/a Nationwide Settlement Solutions (Missouri)
Beachfront Dreams, LLC (Missouri)
Your Timeshare Stops Here, LLC d/b/a American Settlement Services (Missouri)
Bran-Tex Consulting, LLC (Missouri)

In each of the above companies he created the companies. Not sure if he is still involved with them.

Nationwide Settlement Solutions was sued by the state of Wisconsin for various misdeeds. That company is out of business. Two individuals, including a Michael Miles, were cited for being personally responsible but Mr. Barber's name is not listed. It is possible he jumped overboard before the ship went down. Note that Jeffery Barber and Michael Miles are listed as the original owners/members on the UCC filing.

https://www.bbb.org/us/mo/springfield/profile/timeshare-advocates/nationwide-settlement-solutions-0734-310619619

American Settlement Services is still in business, or at least their website is active. Like above, Jeffery Barber and Michael Miles are the original owners/members. Michael Miles is listed on the BBB profile.

https://www.bbb.org/us/mo/springfield/profile/timeshare-transfer/american-settlement-services-0734-44717

 

[WorldT]

As already been said. Scam, scamy, scamity, SCAM.
Two thumbs up for Wisconsin Department of Justice.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Hey Verified ex-employee. Thank you for stepping up and posting this. I am trying to help out my grandparents who are in their 90s who were scammed by SWDT. Let me know if you get this.

@Verified ex-employee signed on to TUG on June 30, 2023. He/she hasn't signed back on since June 30, 2023. That said, I doubt you'll ever hear back from him or her.

Be very careful not to be scammed during the process of trying to assist your grandparents.

As you'll soon find out, most timeshares are worth little or nothing.

Best of luck with your situation!









.