Buying, Renting, and Selling Timeshares

Diamond Interval Services

Jul 26, 2011

Hello, I am new the the forums and searched everywhere for this but did not find what I needed. I am actually selling a timeshare that I have and was contacted by Diamond Interval Services stating they have a buyer for me. I then received a call from the buyer we spoke about the property and a few days later I had an offer on the timeshare. I then spoke with Diamond Interval Services again and it was explained to me that I had to put up a fee for an Estopel letter and that I would have to pay half and they buyer would pay half. Has anyone ever heard of them or done business with them before? I just want to make sure they are legitimate.


Zachary P.
Jul 26, 2011

zacharyp10 wrote:
...I was contacted by Diamond Interval Services stating they have a buyer for me. I then received a call from the buyer we spoke about the property and a few days later I had an offer on the timeshare. I then spoke with Diamond Interval Services again and it was explained to me that I had to put up a fee for an Estopel letter and that I would have to pay half and they buyer would pay half. Has anyone ever heard of them or done business with them before? I just want to make sure they are legitimate.
Sorry, but there is NO real buyer (it is most likely just a company employeee "playing" you) and no, they are NOT legitimate. If you pay out any money, you can promptly just color it GONE. Once you pay, the alleged "buyer" will suddenly disappear (changed his / her mind, was captured by aliens, died, lost his / her job, etc.) and you will quite simply be OUT whatever you paid out of pocket.

Try this approach to PROVE to yourself that this is just a scam --- tell them you that will pay ALL of the fees and that you will actually DOUBLE the amount of the fees, just as long as they take those funds out of the closing proceeds check and require ABSOLUTELY NO "upfront" money from you.

Once you make this offer, there will be some stuttering and stammering and some uncomfortable silence, followed by some absurd tall tales about why they can't or won't do this for you. The fact that they won't take TWICE the amount of fees due should really tell you something --- but only IF you're listening...

As per subject line above, RUN (don't just walk) away from this scam.

P.S. Resorts don't charge money to issue an estoppel letter (i.e., an account status report) in the first place, so an "estoppel fee" is itself an entirely imaginary concept (...just like your non-existent "buyer").


KC

Last edited by ken1193 on Jul 26, 2011 09:02 AM

Aug 03, 2011

ken1193 wrote:
zacharyp10 wrote:
...I was contacted by Diamond Interval Services stating they have a buyer for me. I then received a call from the buyer we spoke about the property and a few days later I had an offer on the timeshare. I then spoke with Diamond Interval Services again and it was explained to me that I had to put up a fee for an Estopel letter and that I would have to pay half and they buyer would pay half. Has anyone ever heard of them or done business with them before? I just want to make sure they are legitimate.
Sorry, but there is NO real buyer (it is most likely just a company employeee "playing" you) and no, they are NOT legitimate. If you pay out any money, you can promptly just color it GONE. Once you pay, the alleged "buyer" will suddenly disappear (changed his / her mind, was captured by aliens, died, lost his / her job, etc.) and you will quite simply be OUT whatever you paid out of pocket.

Try this approach to PROVE to yourself that this is just a scam --- tell them you that will pay ALL of the fees and that you will actually DOUBLE the amount of the fees, just as long as they take those funds out of the closing proceeds check and require ABSOLUTELY NO "upfront" money from you.

Once you make this offer, there will be some stuttering and stammering and some uncomfortable silence, followed by some absurd tall tales about why they can't or won't do this for you. The fact that they won't take TWICE the amount of fees due should really tell you something --- but only IF you're listening...

As per subject line above, RUN (don't just walk) away from this scam.

P.S. Resorts don't charge money to issue an estoppel letter (i.e., an account status report) in the first place, so an "estoppel fee" is itself an entirely imaginary concept (...just like your non-existent "buyer").


Andrea E.
Aug 23, 2011

I was just contacted by Diamond Interval Services yesterday claiming they had an interested buyer. The person on the phone claimed they are a broker. I then asked to speak to the buyer personally. A lady by the name of "Angelina" called me and although she has never been to my resort she is interested in it. She then proceeded to go through a very complicated loan sale back procedure she was involved in. Since I'm not interested in her financial scams I told her if she is interested in the unit she should make an offer. Of course, I thought this was the end but today I received a call from the broker by the name of "Tracy Wilson". She reiterated that her buyer was interested and if I took their offer whether I would chose to close with them. I've handled enough real estate transactions to know only to close through First American Title - a reputable national title firm that does business with RedWeek. She then said that the buyer had to agree to this too. So I said that I would only do the sale if the closing was with a national title company whose name I recognized. I'm assuming now I won't hear from them again. I'm posting this experience so other buyers can be aware of scams like this where there is a lot of danger of disclosing financial information to a third party that you know nothing about and the dangers of wiring money to these fake companies. Also, if you are speaking to a broker get their broker number because then you can check if they are truly licensed to do business as they say.


Henry V.
Aug 23, 2011

These were the exact same people that called me in the same way. IT IS A SCAM


Zachary P.
Aug 25, 2011

We just received the exact same call as well. OMG, thank you so much for posting this. We immediately were scared off when they requested that we wire them $2900 and then in 3 months they'd send us $31,000 for our time share. BS


Kurt and Anissa N.
Aug 25, 2011

Everyone. Run from this scam. They just tried this with me and actually sent me wiring instructions. Paying upfront for services in a real estate transaction does not happen. The comment below about using a recognized national title company is the only way to go. These two people are scam artists. The best thing to do after you run away is post a response here so as to warn others hopefully they will read these and run away as well. Thank you all for posting something on this. these ladies truly make me sick.


Kj N.
Aug 25, 2011

I just left "Angelina" a message, who by the way is also "Tracy". The 2 numbers she uses are 609-214-2356 and 727-828-7018. I let "Angelina" know that I contact my Dad who is a Judge to see if he could find out anything about "Diamond Interval" and he called a friend he was in the Airforce with that is now an FBI agent. GUESS WHAT??? THIS is definitely a HUGE SCAM. This lady messed with the wrong people this time. She is going DOWN!!!


Kurt and Anissa N.
Aug 25, 2011

Here is where you go to file a complaint. Being that they called you and e-mailed you they broke two federal laws so the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission can get involved. Internet www.ic3.gov 1-800-251-7581

Federal Communications Commission 1-888-225-5322

I left "Angelina" a message telling her she was busted and she called me back and left me a message practically crying. She could win an Oscar for her performance. People like them sicken me. Think of the older people she has probably scammed out of thousands. I am not going to let this slide.


Kurt and Anissa N.
Aug 25, 2011

Sadly these ladies will be back under different names and with a different business model however, the goal will be the same - get someone to pre-wire closing costs in advance. No reputable title company will ask you to do this because all closing costs get paid at closing when ALL funds from buyer have cleared. Also the only info you need from a buyer is their name and email. Similarly you shouldn't disclose any additional info to the buyer. The title company will get the rest as needed and in a secure fashion for both the buyer and seller. I will also follow up with an FCC complaint just to hopefully make it harder for them to scam on RedWeek.


Henry V.
Aug 25, 2011

I unfortunately was not so lucky. I thought I did enough research to feel half way secure about this. Guess I was wrong. Sad the times that we live in that people have to resort to this.


Brady S.
Aug 29, 2011

We also recieved a call from Angelina and Tracey (and now another person, Alexa Cruz, who said that Tracey was promoted and that she is now taking over for her. Jorge Penna is the registrant of this domain name, and is likely the (if real) head of this scam. Another person stated that Angelina is on medical leave (probably having a nervous breakdown due to you telling her about your dad, the judge, etc. Thanks to the internet, hopefully some people will do enough checking to find out that this is a scam before shelling out any money, but sadly, many will not!!! We will most definitely follwo up with the FCC and any other agencies that might actually do something about this.


Linda C.
Aug 30, 2011

If you have an ABA number isn't that a way to trace this back to the scammers? If you have been scammed out of money, I'd definitely contact the FBI and FCC and give them the documents that you received with the ABA routing number that they gave you.


Kurt and Anissa N.
Aug 30, 2011

anissan wrote:
If you have been scammed out of money, I'd definitely contact the FBI and FCC...
1. Actually, initial complaints are best filed initially with the Attorney General's office of the state(s) in which the scammer(s) operate. You are not going to get the attention of (or any action from) the FBI based upon a single, stand alone complaint.

2. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has nothing whatsoever to do with ANY aspect of the timeshare industry. Did you perhaps instead mean the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)?


KC

Last edited by ken1193 on Aug 30, 2011 01:31 PM

Sep 01, 2011

The FBI agent's office in FL told me to file the report with the FBI in FL and the FCC. I will also contact the Attorney General in St. Petersburg, FL.

Thanks!


Kurt and Anissa N.

Last edited by anissan on Sep 01, 2011 12:20 PM

Sep 02, 2011

I was scammed out of $2,198. Can anyone give me addresses for the Attorney General and FBI and FCC to file a report?


Richard T.
Sep 05, 2011

I was also contacted by Diamond Services stating they had a buyer for me. I also received a call from a buyer and a few days later had an offer. I spoke to an "Alexis" at the company and she needed me to send 2849.00 after the contract was signed to start the legal work. Thanks for the warning about this company. They almost got me. Spread the word.


Cheryl L.
Sep 06, 2011

richard2584 wrote:
I was scammed out of $2,198. Can anyone give me addresses for the Attorney General and FBI and FCC to file a report?
1. You have not specified the particular STATE in which your particular scammers are located and operating, but you can usually and easily find the address and phone number of the STATE Attorney General's office in the government listings of the local phone book. If not, just call directory information for the scammer's STATE. Often (not always), there is also a specific sub-listing for a consumer protection division within the AG office. Don't bother the FBI; it is a waste of their (...and your) valuable time. The FBI has MUCH bigger fish to fry; they will simply (and quite appropriately) just advise you to instead file your complaint with the FTC.

2. To repeat (once again), despite incorrect references posted by others above in this thread (and then unfortunately repeated thereafter), someone has erroneously mistaken FCC for FTC. FCC is an acronym for the Federal Communications Commission, the agency which licenses television and radio stations and which regulates the operation of the nation's wired and wireless communications industry. The FCC has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with ANYTHING even REMOTELY associated with or related to ANYTHING in the timeshare industry. The CORRECT agency to contact regarding a timeshare scammer complaint is actually the FTC (Federal Trade Commission, the national consumer protection agency) which has jurisdiction and authority over interstate commercial activity. You can get more FTC information on line at http://www.ftc.gov or call FTC directly at 1-877-FTC-HELP.


KC

Last edited by ken1193 on Sep 06, 2011 07:54 AM

Sep 06, 2011

The FCC deals with fraud committed using any communication vehicle including the Internet, so if someone received e-mail communication from these scammers, then it IS an FCC issue. Please keep in mind, we are all trying to help people here. :)


Kurt and Anissa N.

Last edited by anissan on Sep 06, 2011 04:24 PM

Sep 07, 2011

You need to try timeshare utopia, they helped me get rid of my fixed week, they are not a resale company. They just transferred it out of my name and into their name for a fee. Very helpful. I think their number is on their website timeshareutopia.com

Thanks


Amy K.

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