RDO’s Enforcement Programme
One of RDO’s main priorities is to help protect owners targeted by fraudulent businesses; these companies have become more and more prevalent and are causing owners to lose considerable sums of money. Notwithstanding, such activities also damage the reputation of the industry and have a direct negative impact on the business of RDO members. These fraudulent businesses come in many guises – making promises connected to timeshare relinquishments, legal claims and discounted holidays for life. The great majority are simply criminals. They use the internet and cold calling through stolen data to trap the unwary. They are clever – using misinformation and useless guarantees to lure their victims in.
Given the serious nature of the situation, in 2013 RDO established an enforcement programme to tackle fraud affecting timeshare owners, other consumers and the industry as a whole.
Together with EUROC, the European Resort Owners’ Coalition, which represents the interests of timeshare owners in Europe, intelligence on businesses where potential breaches of law may have occurred is collected and where necessary, shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies across Europe. EUROC provides free information and guidance to consumers who have concerns over any matters involving timeshare and related products. Its service has been approved by UK Trading Standards.
Over the years, the enforcement programme has been extremely successful and has been instrumental in helping protect the reputation of the industry and safeguard holidaymakers. Since the programme was set up, a number of rogue companies have been shut down and individuals involved charged and convicted in court. Some have been sentenced to jail.
