VRBO calling and asking if we want to deposit our Interval week with them?

[mchct]

Has anyone been called by VRBO asking something like "today is the last day to deposit your Interval week this year with us for rental."

They (assuming it was really VRBO) called my husband's cell number and asked him something like that, but he's pretty certain they did say VRBO and Interval. He he replied that he was not interested. The caller didn't push and said thank you and hung up.

We only own one legacy Marriott Phuket week, which we've always used or trade within Marriott or II/Interval International. Never rented our week out since we always use it. And not not sure how they got my husband's cell number (my cell is the primary and his is secondary on the II account) or know that we even own a timeshare week. And isn't it against Interval's terms/rules to rent out a week anyways? I know that if we reserve the week directly with Marriott and don't deposit it with II, we could rent it out but haven't done that. So, is this some new scam or just fishing for business?

 

[VacationForever]

It is likely a scammer calling about renting out an II week.

 

[CO skier]

And isn't it against Interval's terms/rules to rent out a week anyways?

You are correct, and that is why this is just some kind of scam (probably with some kind of up front payment involved had you responded to the scam).

 

[dioxide45]

Vrbo isn't calling anyone asking for listings. It is a scam.

 

[Ty1on]

Also, the IRS just called to warn me that they are sending someone to arrest me immediately if I don't go buy Visa Gift Cards and give them the card numbers and codes over the phone.

 

[dougp26364]

I guess the scammers have decided RCI and II aren’t good enough anymore

 

[VacationForever]

I guess the scammers have decided RCI and II aren’t good enough anymore

But that has always been the line of the scammers, where they will rent out your II getaway weeks and RCI Last Call weeks.

 

[mchct]

Thanks for confirming what we thought. But what bugs me is how they got his phone number and must have known we have a timeshare since we don't advertise or rent it out and don't use his number.

Oh well, I guess that info like everything else must be somewhere on the dark web for the phishers and scammers! It was different from the usual stupid warranty expired, IRS, Apple/bank account/Venmo/Paypal hacked, or overstayed your Chinese visa scams!

 

[vns]

Just got a call from VRBO mentionng that today is the last day to deposit my interval week for rental. Did sound like a scam. When I searched up on google, found this form !

 

[dioxide45]

Just got a call from VRBO mentionng that today is the last day to deposit my interval week for rental. Did sound like a scam. When I searched up on google, found this form !

The call isn't from Vrbo. They use company names that people recognize to sound legit, but they are just s scam.

 

[Mongoose]

It is likely a scammer calling about renting out an II week.

I had the same call, and the caller argued with me about the legitimacy of their program .

 

[Mongoose]

Just got a call from VRBO mentionng that today is the last day to deposit my interval week for rental. Did sound like a scam. When I searched up on google, found this form !

What form?

 

[ej16nb5k]

I just received the same phone call and stumbled upon this thread. Aside from them claiming to be VRBO (which as far as I know has zero relationship with II), what also tipped me off that it was a scam is that they said I didn't deposit my weeks yet - which is not true.

What was so weird though is that they knew how many weeks I owned (which they could have found doing a public deed search - even though they aren't owned under my name). But they also asked about my certificates. They knew the expiration dates of one of my II certificates - unless they simply guessed it. Very weird...

 

[VacationForever]

I just received the same phone call and stumbled upon this thread. Aside from them claiming to be VRBO (which as far as I know has zero relationship with II), what also tipped me off that it was a scam is that they said I didn't deposit my weeks yet - which is not true.

What was so weird though is that they knew how many weeks I owned (which they could have found doing a public deed search - even though they aren't owned under my name). But they also asked about my certificates. They knew the expiration dates of one of my II certificates - unless they simply guessed it. Very weird...

Everyone has the same expiration dates of the freebie AC certificates.

 

[ej16nb5k]

Everyone has the same expiration dates of the freebie AC certificates.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I've been getting several calls a week from "Owner Services". The tried to suggest that they were in Owner Services from one of my timeshares. When I asked them which timeshare there was a pause and they had to look it up. I think that they were working for a timeshare exit company and wanted me to attend a local meeting.

So today when they called I told them that I no longer have any timeshares and that I've disposed of them. Hopefully they make a note to their database.

 

[jmhpsu93]

What form?

This forum. Likely @vns googled about the conversation and the first thing that came up was TUG saying "it's a trap!"

 

[Eric B]

Hopefully they make a note to their database.

That has never happened for me - I've told these types of callers similar things over the years and continue to get the phone calls. Scam Shield helps out a bit.

 

[DRH90277]

Received a call recently in which the caller wanted to get my Interval deposits for trades into properties near conventions. They said companies want to provide better accommodations for their "uppity up" executives than hotels and they have the way. Yes they did use the term "uppidy up."

I only wish I had suggested Palm Desert properties in the summer where they could enjoy the night time desert skies.

 

[dioxide45]

Received a call recently in which the caller wanted to get my Interval deposits for trades into properties near conventions. They said companies want to provide better accommodations for their "uppity up" executives than hotels and they have the way. Yes they did use the term "uppidy up."

I only wish I had suggested Palm Desert properties in the summer where they could enjoy the night time desert skies.

I am pretty sure their "uppity ups" don't want to make their own beds like they would have to do at a timeshare. They want full housekeeping service.

 

[DRH90277]

I am pretty sure their "uppity ups" don't want to make their own beds like they would have to do at a timeshare. They want full housekeeping service.

I agree. I'm not sure I understand how they would do this at a scale that would make any sense. Does anyone else understand what they would be attempting?

 

[dioxide45]

I agree. I'm not sure I understand how they would do this at a scale that would make any sense. Does anyone else understand what they would be attempting?

Make hundreds of cold calls and get a few people to bite and they have probably made $8000-$10000 by scamming people. They can probably make a few hundred calls each day.

 

[NJVacation61]

Has anyone who has received these calls tried calling back the #? Does anyone's caller ID identify the source of the call as VRBO? I don't answer any calls from unfamiliar numbers, but it should be pretty easy to determine it is a scam.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

None of these things in these various threads are scams. They are all Ducks.
Reading the headlines is funny though. All that is missing is the Nigerian prince down on his luck.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I am pretty sure their "uppity ups" don't want to make their own beds like they would have to do at a timeshare. They want full housekeeping service.

Lol, yeah "Uppity ups" are not staying at timeshare hotels.