Resort Development Organisation

Consumer alert - EquitySecure.co.uk

We have been made aware that timeshare owners are making complaints that they are receiving unsolicited phone calls from Equity Secure, a company that operates using a website but does not appear to have office in the UK.

This firm purports to secure ‘equity release from your timeshare commitments' and owners are informed that the law is to change in January next year, which will result in a doubling of their maintenance fees.

Holiday Club Cashback Scam

If you have a cashback certificate, don't fall victim to scam that has recently come to our attention.

We've been told that members of the public who purchased a holiday club membership that included a cashback offer are now receiving calls from a separate company to inform them that their cashback certificate has not been correctly registered. As a result, they are invited overseas - usually Spain or the Canaries - to find ways around the problem and this is where, at their most vulnerable, people tend to be pressured into making decisions they later regret.

Consumer alert - United Wealth Management

It has been brought to the attention of RDO [Resort Development Organisation] that a Singapore based company called United Wealth Management may be informing timeshare owners during presentations that the company is registered with RDO.

United Wealth Management is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorised to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.

Have you been defrauded?

Timeshare owners who have been defrauded by Resale Firms*, Holiday Clubs, Cash Back Schemes, Class Actions, Fly Buys*, etc. should contact RDO’s Enforcement team on enforcement@rdo.org as soon as possible.

Stop press -- police make arrest in Spain

Brussels 8th July 2010 - The police in Spain have arrested a person behind fraudulent timeshare resale company Benedetti & Asociados. This company, which operated from offices on the Costa Del Sol, targeted Spanish timeshare owners and RDO has received a number of complaints about its activities this year. The arrest follows a report that RDO’s enforcement team sent to the police in Marbella.

The truth behind Class Actions - RDO lifts the lid on dubious schemes

You've seen an advertisement or had a call out of the blue - something in itself to be wary of as your details have probably been obtained through a stolen database - and are now considering whether to join a class action against your resort developer or even exchange company.

So what's the reality behind these schemes; is this just another scam, a way of obtaining money from timeshare owners under false pretences?

Companies wound up as part of investigations into Fraud

Between 2007 and 2009 the Spanish police and other enforcement agencies such as Trading Standards in the UK stepped up their efforts to tackle companies that were defrauding timeshare owners and the general public at large. This has resulted in the closure of almost 60 companies, some of which were wound up by the authorities and others ceased trading of their own accord, frequently due to pressure as a result of investigations that were being carried out.

Consumer Alert: Resale Agent World Axial Asia

It has been brought to RDO's [The Resort Development Organisation's] attention that a Singapore based resale company called World Axial Asia may be telephoning timeshare owners, informing them that they are representatives of RDO.

This company is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorised to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.

Consumer Alert - Holiday Group Sales Ltd, UK

Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by a UK based resale company called Holiday Group Sales Ltd.

By using our logo, the company is inferring that it is a member of OTE (now called RDO) the European trade body for timeshare, whose members sign up to a code of ethics that protects consumers’ rights. This company is not, and never has been, an approved member of either OTE or RDO and is breaking the law by including our logo on its documentation.

Consumer Alert - Incentive Leisure, UK

The industry trade body for the vacation ownership industry, RDO (Resort Development Organisation), is advising consumers who have purchased a membership from the Incentive Leisure Group (UK) to check with their local Trading Standards office or their solicitor to establish whether they have been defrauded.

This advice follows a recent court case in the UK, brought by West Berkshire Trading Standards, during which the Incentive Leisure Group pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud. The offences admitted by the company concerned the likely value of the cashback scheme and claims that it was run by an independent lawyer.

Help & Advice

The Resort Development Organisation AISBL (RDO) can accept no responsibility for the information it has provided, although it has used its best endeavors to supply factually accurate advice and guidance. This information is not a substitute for taking professional legal advice to cover your particular situation.

To contact us:-

RDO aisbl (Head Office)
Oak House, Cours St. Michel 100/3, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2533 3061, info@rdo.org

Please note that the RDO Consumer Services only deal with enquiries/complaints about RDO members in writing (by regular mail, email or fax), and these should be directed to the RDO Head Office.

TATOC (The Timeshare Association of Timeshare Owners Committees), who represent the interests of timeshare owners and their elected committees, provide information and assistance to timeshare owners/consumers on all matters relating to timeshare. If you require any general information, or assistance on matters relating to non-RDO members, we would ask that you contact TATOC directly. You can contact TATOC on:

Tel: +44 (0) 845 230 2430
E-mail: info@timeshareassociation.org
Website: www.timeshareassociation.org

Code of Ethics and ADR Scheme

The RDO Code of Ethics was introduced in 1999 and over the years has been regularly updated to reflect best practices within the timeshare industry.

Timeshare Owner Testimonials

“We can plan our holiday in confidence, knowing we will have first class accommodation, with brilliant facilities” - the Oven family

“We were very pleased with the island as a whole and the resort in particular. The accommodation was excellent, the resort was beautiful and the staff so friendly and helpful.” - Annette and Graham Barber

“Our family enjoys the fact that you have everything you need at your doorstep, and we feel good knowing our kids are safe within the resort. One really has the feeling of coming home, and it makes all the difference!” - Mr and Mrs Breeze

Selling Timeshare

There will of course be situations where owners may need to dispose of their timeshare/points. However, as Timeshare is regarded as a long-term investment in holidays, as opposed to an investment in real estate, it would be unrealistic to rely on realising the original purchase price. Bear in mind that some resorts/unit sizes are far more popular than others and ; as sales depend on current supply and demand it is not always possible to guarantee a date for resale. Resale companies offer various services. Some may not handle Points and some may charge up-front resale registration fees. Others may not charge an up-front fee but make a charge for optional advertising eg on the internet. RDO Resale Members must follow the Code of Ethics. Details of the services / costs / commissions / valuations should be obtained by contacting the relevant agencies direct.

If You Feel You Have Been Defrauded

Contact/Attend your local police station to report the crime and to make a written statement on the official forms. This must also be typed to ensure all necessary parties can read the statement. Any documentary evidence should also be properly exhibited and attached to the statement. The statement should be translated into the language that has the jurisdiction of the crime. The statement should then be forwarded by the police to Interpol.