I got a cold call from someone wanting to buy my timeshares and I figured why not see how much they’re offering. I gave them some simple information (most of which was vague and incorrect) and they responded with offers that were much higher then I thought. Their first offer were $29k for my WKORVN, $29k for Nanae, and $20k for Bella in Orlando. These offers seem out of line considering I bought the Maui ones for $10k back in the day and I can go to Redweek and see a listing right now for $12k. Is this a scam of some sort? The paperwork shows travelpony.com and a mexican address with the email operationservicesco.com.
They want me to send them copies of my deed to verify the point amounts but I sent them screenshots which show the points. We’ll see what they say...
100% scam. They mentioned Travel Pony because that is a real company/website and they are just using their name to make you think their spiel is all legit. Their “operationservicesco.com” is their real site for scamming. That website was created one month ago (May 25, 2021). If you move forward they will eventually ask you to pay a required fee via a wire transfer to Mexico. They will keep coming at you for more fees until you stop paying and then they disappear. If that wasn’t fun enough you would likely get a call three months later from the “International Crime Division” who will claim that they caught the bad guys and you are entitled to a $75,000 settlement but… you guessed it. They will require another fee to be wired.
Below is the same scam put another way. No one will ever fall for a cold call scam wanting to buy their used car for crazy money but they do with timeshares. Scammers keep calling because there is no shortage of timeshare owners willing to wire money to them.
(Phone rings)
You: Hello
Scammer: Hello Mr. Jones! I have some good news! We have found a buyer for your 1997 Ford Focus. We are prepared to pay you $19,000. Does that sound good?
You: Yes it does. I was thinking about selling it because I never use it and your price is very good. However, I am worried that this is not legit. Will I have to pay anything upfront?
Scammer: I understand your concerns. However, there will be NO upfront fees required of you. In addition, we are affiliated with Car Max (Carmax.com). Are you familiar with them?
You: yes, I feel better now and can use the money.
Scammer: Great! Please send me your title documents and we will prepare your contract.
(Contract arrives next day, you sign it as it doesn’t have a required fee. You email it back to
Joe@iscamu.com. You notice that the email isn’t going to Car Max but you shrug it off as the documents are very professional and the guy has been real nice and on top of things. You figure the email is different because they are an affiliate of Car Max. Now you wait for your big check. You start your research on a new game room for your basement.)
(Three days later phone rings)
You: Hello
Scammer: Everything has been submitted and it appears that your check will be on time! However, there is a slight problem that can delay the check. There is a required “Vehicle Transfer Seller” tax that is going to be due prior to payment. The good news is that the full amount of the tax is fully reimbursable to you and will be added to your check. To avoid delays, please wire $2,459.95 to our Mexican office. Again, you will be reimbursed for this amount. Since you are the seller we need to provide proof that the funds came directly from you.
(You wire the funds. Three days later you get another call)
Scammer: Thank you for wiring the tax. It has been properly applied to the government agency by our Escrow office. The bad news is the government has another fee, you know how the government always wants a piece, right? Anyways, the “Pre-2000 Cash for Clunkers” reimbursement tax is due on your vehicle since it is a 1997 model. The amount to wire is $3,123.13 which of course is 100% reimbursable at closing with your check. You wire the funds.
(This repeats with more requests for taxes or fees. You finally run out of money and stop paying the fees. After all, they may deduct the rest of the fees from your disbursement check. Still hopeful, you call the scammer back for an update to the phone number you have been using now for weeks.
You; (Dial 867-5309) “we are sorry, the number you have dialed is disconnected”
