ITRA reports - a 13th person sentenced for timeshare marketing fraud

A 13th person is heading to federal prison from Palm Beach County timeshare marketing firms Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions, prosecutors said Thursday.

ITRA | Avoiding Timeshare Fraud When Getting a Timeshare Refund

In recent times, there have been increasingly more timeshare complaints. People are complaining about fraudulent firms, abuse of their interests, exorbitant interest rates, online scams, being bribed by timeshare representatives and more. Other complaints being filed by people are escalating fees when it comes to maintenance of their timeshares, difficulty getting their balance exchanges and so on. Here are some of the things that you could do to avoid timeshare fraud when getting a timeshare refund.

ITRA | Why File a Timeshare Class Action Lawsuit?

ITRA (international timeshare refund action) and Owners Action have been filing class action lawsuits for people who have been involved in Timeshare fraud for over 5 years now. There have been many Timeshare complaints about deception, fraudulence and a pattern of abuse by people in the Timeshare industry, but you need not worry because you can take action.

ITRA is the best option since it is cheaper than instituting legal action by yourself, you will get the best lawyers from the likes of ITRA and Owners Action, and you will get unparalleled convenience. You are more likely to get a Timeshare refund in a law firm because your legal team will be more formidable compared to an individual lawyer. Why should you take action against those in the
Timeshare industry if you are a victim of Timeshare fraud?

You should take action because under the law, you have the right to seek Timeshare refund as well as to get compensation for the distress and damages if the timeshare purchase is not of merchandisable quality.

Taking class action is allowed in England and Wales under GLO (group litigation order). You can even participate in a class action lawsuit if you are outside England and Wales, provided the defendant is within the territories.

You should take action because it will not be detrimental to your pockets. Under the GLO, the class action will be handled on a no-win no-fee basis. This means the lawyers will only get a fraction of the payout if you win the case and will not get anything if you lose. The ITRA and Owners Action fund the claim and offer support throughout the case. 

Filing a Timeshare class action lawsuit is important because you will recover any investment that you will have made. This could prevent your financial ruin, especially if you are a pensioner.
Suing the guilty party is important because you will feel good about it, even if you do not win.

Instituting legal proceedings is a way of raising awareness about Timeshare fraud. By raising awareness, you will be helping others avoid falling into the same trap you fell into. You should take legal action because there is precedence of huge payouts. Provided you have a strong case, you are almost assured of a payout. Taking part in a class action lawsuit is important if you do not have a very strong case since you will ride on the stronger cases of other Timeshare fraud victims.

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ITRAs objective is to support the consumer in timeshare disputes. We have discovered a pattern of abuse, deception and even fraudulent issues that have been systematically perpetrated by many of the major timeshare industry players to the detriment of owners.

ITRA - What Makes a Good Timeshare Refund Claim Funder?

You should take legal action if you have such Timeshare complaints as problems disposing or transferring points or weeks, interest rates that are exorbitantly high in financial institutions that were introduced by marketers, escalating maintenance fees above inflation, and problems getting selected balanced exchanges from exchange companies.


The best way to go about suing players in the Timeshare industry is through Timeshare class action. In English and Welsh courts, the group litigation order (GLO) guides these lawsuits. You could also participate in a lawsuit from outside England and Wales if the defendant is English or Welsh. Filing a lawsuit when you have just lost your money is not feasible and it is often necessary that you get help from Timeshare claim funder. As the term suggests, a claim funder funds your entire case for a fee if you win. So, what makes a good Timeshare fraud claim funder?

ITRA - Tips on Hiring a Lawyer for Timeshare Class Action from Owners Action

There are many reported cases of deception, abuse, and even fraudulent activities by timeshare industry players. Other timeshare complaints that have been reported include exorbitant interest rates by finance companies that are promoted by marketers, maintenance fees that are always increasing, transfer and disposal of points and weeks problems, and problems obtaining selected balance exchanges. If you have been a victim, you could seek legal redress. Other than fighting timeshare fraud, a timeshare class action will help you get a timeshare refund.

 ITRA

You could file an individual lawsuit, but a class action lawsuit has more advantages since you can access a more qualified lawyer, you get to share litigation fees, and you do not need to pay if you lose the case since the class action lawsuit lawyer will only be paid a commission if you win the case. So, how do you go about hiring a class action lawsuit lawyer to handle Timeshare fraud?

Tips on Avoiding Timeshare Fraud from International Timeshare Refund Action

International Timeshare Refund Action

There has been an increase in timeshare complaints. People are complaining of abuse, timeshare fraud such as shady collection firms like QVC or Quality Vacation Club, high interest rates by financiers recommended by marketers, complex Internet advertising scams, and being lured by timeshare representatives using bribes. Other complaints are escalating maintenance fees, problems with the transfer and disposal of points and weeks, and problems getting selected balanced exchanges from exchange companies.
You could avoid seeking a timeshare refund in the first place by avoiding buying on the spot. Any company that pressures you into buying a timeshare on the spot is most likely up to no good. Companies or Resorts (such as Disney) will gladly give you a number to their sales office if they cannot get you to buy then and there, but scam companies are not likely to take no for an answer.

Have a lawyer review the contract. If you are going to be bothered into signing a contract, at least make sure the company allows you to have a lawyer review it before you give in and sign on the dotted line. A trained eye will be able to tell in a heartbeat whether a deal is legitimate, so do not leave it up to chance. If the company will not give you a copy for your lawyer to examine, odds are they are crooks.

Research the company. With the emergence of smart phones, this step has never been easier. While listening to the presentation, conduct an internet search on the company. Pay attention to any testimonials you come across. Odds are if this company scammed someone before, the victim will have made a public complaint online. If you are not at the presentation, and are speaking to a sales person over the phone, just use your home computer.

Always read the fine print. This tip even applies to legitimate companies, but it is especially important when you suspect the deal might be a scam. There might be hidden fees or other such traps in your contract, so be diligent when reading. Do not skip a single word, especially if it is in smaller print.

Never pay an up-front fee. If a timeshare resale company requires a payment up-front before the timeshare sale is final, walk away. The timeshare resale company may call the fee by any number of different names such as an appraisal fee, a market analysis fee, an initial advertising fee, or something similar. If there is any type of fee that requires a prepayment before the timeshare is sold, the consumer is likely to lose that money and never get their timeshare sold.
Check with consumer protection agencies. Another important tip is that you should not believe everything timeshare presentations promise. Always be sceptical, particularly avoiding anything that promises you too much too quickly.

International Timeshare Refund Action

If you feel you may have been scammed, you need not spend a fortune filing a timeshare law suit. With the increase in timeshare complaints, Owners Action and International Timeshare Refund Action (ITRA) are offering the opportunity for timeshare owners to participate in a timeshare class action.

To find out more, visit the ITRA website

International Timeshare Refund Action (ITRA) – Timeshare Law in Spain

Timeshare Law in Spain

Any contract detailing the rights of an individual to use one or more property in Spain during a specific or specifiable period during the year is covered under this law, wherever and whenever the place and date of contracting.

Timeshare rights are those which give to the holder the right to use and enjoy an independent dwelling, with exclusive character, for a specific period of time within the year. It includes the necessary furniture for this use and any complementary services & facilities. It is regulated in Spain by a Law dated 1998. 

The Spanish regulation considers timeshare as a type of seasonal rental. Crucially, the holder of timeshare rights does not acquire ownership rights, but the right to use the property for a specific period of time only. The duration of these rights is not indefinite; the developers of these type of complexes need to specify the period for the enjoyment of these rights which s always should be between 3-50 years. Outright ownership of the property remains the developers’.

Because the developer retains ownership, they can always sell ownership rights with the limitations derived from the existence of the other person’s use and enjoyment rights on the sold unit, which will remain for the contracted period.

Provision 1.4 of Law 42/1998 prohibited the denomination of those rights as “multiownership" or any other way containing the word “ownership", “ owner” or "property".

For this reason, any contract signed in Spain containing the word “ownership or property" (propiedad) is null and void and you have the right to a refund of any money paid, plus legal interest.

In Spain, the description that was finally chosen, as most appropriate, descriptive and loyal to Law is "derecho de aprovechamiento por turno", which literally means “right to use and enjoyment in shifts"

Publicity or promotion of these type of developments can never contain the word "propiedad"(property or ownership)

The timeshare scheme can only be formed in a building, property or set of them which are architecturally individual or separated.  All independent units included in it, should be subject to the scheme. The building must have at least 10 units. 

The same building can be subject at times to different tourist operations, provided that the rights of timeshare accommodations fall on concrete and specific periods and units. 

The annual use/enjoyment period can never be less than 7 continuous days. In every case, within the same scheme, shifts should all have the same length. The units will also be reserved for repairs, cleaning or other common purposes for a period of time which shall not be inferior to seven days for each unit subject to the regime.

Main characteristics of timeshare rights in Spain are:

· It is a limited ownership right (enjoyment): two or more different people hold rights on the same property (the owners and the holders of enjoyment rights).

· It is immediate, as, in shifts, it gives to its holder a direct enjoyment of the property.

· It is entered in the Land Registry, which gives to its holder a complete legal safety within the Spanish legal system. Obviously timeshare rights need to be transmitted by Notary deeds for their entry into the Land Registry.

· It can be transmitted to others either in life or by death. They are part of the property trade.

Together with desisting from or cancelling the timeshare contract, possibilities that are subject to a shorter deadline, there is the possibility, initially sine die (without deadline) to apply for the nullity of the contract.

In what cases?

· When timeshare rights are transmitted disregarding the imperative Law which regulates them.

· When the transmission of timeshare rights are made before the scheme is actually constituted

· When there is a lack of veracity of information provided to the buyer.

The action for the refund of amounts linked to the nullity has a 15 years deadline.

There are numerous precedents in Spanish Courts for the nullity and refund of money if you were sold under the term "propiedad" (property).

The important issue of adaptation

From January 1999 any preexisting timeshare regime needs to adapt to this Law. If this has not happened, any holder of timeshare rights will be able to request a Judge to compel the developer to do so.

Adaptation will always require a Notary deed and proper registration in the Land Registry.

Adaptation will respect the nature of rights which were transmitted by virtue of the old private contract. If ownership was transmitted, this is how it will have to be registered after approval of a simple majority of Community of owners.

All old contracts will have a time limit of 50 years unless parties have agreed otherwise or parties mutually or freely agree in the adaptation deed on a different definitive or non-definitive period.

If the owner of the development does not comply with the obligation of adapting the regime to this new regulation, the holder of timeshare rights will have rights to cancel the contract with effective devolution of amounts and compensation of damages.

ITRA are now pursuing the coordination of a claim to the courts on behalf of timeshare owners who can justify due cause for full compensation, distress and damages on the grounds that their timeshare purchase was not of merchandisable quality.

To find out more about the International Timeshare Refund Action visit our website www.itra.net

ITRA - Timeshare Class Action

Have you been a victim of a Timeshare resale scam?

ITRA - Timeshare Class Action versus Individual Timeshare Lawsuit

There are many reported cases of deception, abuse, and even fraudulent activities by Timeshare industry players. Other Timeshare complaints that have been reported include exorbitant interest rates by finance companies that are promoted by marketers, maintenance fees that are always increasing, transfer and disposal of points and weeks problems, and problems obtaining selected balance exchanges. If you have been a victim, you could get regal redress. Other than fighting Timeshare fraud, Timeshare class action will help you get a Timeshare refund.

You could go for an individual Timeshare lawsuit or Timeshare class action. The greatest advantage of an individual lawsuit is the fact that you get to set your own terms, but going for Timeshare class action is more advantageous.

One of the greatest benefits of class action is the fact that you will not need to pay anything. Such companies as ITRA (international timeshare refund action) and Owners Action are dedicated to helping people action in Timeshare-related cases. Companies like ITRA work on a no-win no-pay basis, meaning you will only pay a fraction of what you win and nothing if you lose.

The company (ITRA) will be responsible for all the research and the cost of gathering the necessary evidence. The fact that the lawyer has to win to get paid means your lawyer is more likely to give 100% with class action. This is indeed the best option if the Timeshare fraud has taken all your disposable money.

You get greater judicial efficiency with class action. The fact that a number of people will only need one judge means the court system will appreciate such a case more. In individual lawsuits, plaintiffs who file early get more than the ones who file later. This is not a problem with class action. Class action is the best option if your case is not strong enough to win. Your case will be helped by the other cases.

With ITRA you will get the very best lawyers with a Timeshare class action suit. This is not possible with an individual suit since good lawyers are expensive. A class action lawsuit gives you unparalleled convenience. You will not be required to be in court every day, meaning the lawsuit will not affect your business/job or your social life. The legal system puts limitations on the period before which individual actions are to be filed, but the period is extended in class action suits. Timeshare players are more likely to offer compensation when faced with class actions.

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ITRA

Our objective is to support the consumer in timeshare disputes. We have discovered a pattern of abuse, deception and even fraudulent issues that have been systematically perpetrated by many of the major timeshare industry players to the detriment of owners.

If you feel you have fallen foul of any of these Timeshare companies and want a solution? Contact ITRA today.

ITRA International Timeshare Refund Action

To find out more about the International Timeshare Refund Action visit our website www.itra.net

ITRA – How to avoid being caught in a Timeshare Scam

5 minute video with lots of tips on how to avoid being caught in a Timeshare scam.

ITRA

Our objective is to support the consumer in timeshare disputes. We have discovered a pattern of abuse, deception and even fraudulent issues that have been systematically perpetrated by many of the major timeshare industry players to the detriment of owners.

ITRA

International Timeshare Refund Action

Comments can be left at the end of this post, if you want to follow the original thread on YouTube click here

For more advice in video format follow ITRA on our YouTube channel by clicking here

  Or Call ITRA today for a Free consultation

To find out more about the International Timeshare Refund Action ITRA visit our website www.itra.net

ITRA - New laws introduced to protect consumers of timeshare and holiday clubs

New laws have been introduced to protect people from timeshare and holiday club scams - but Shropshire solicitors are urging people to continue to seek advice before they get involved.

International Timeshare Refund Action – ITRA

On February 23 2011 a new law came into action to protect consumers of timeshare and holiday clubs as the existing Timeshare directive only applied to certain products and had a number of loopholes. 

These loopholes were exploited by unscrupulous companies and individuals in the Timeshare industry; leaving consumers as the potential victims of numerous scams.

Linder Myers Solicitors, based in High Street, Shrewsbury, is in the process of raising a group action for all those who have been affected by issues with their timeshare or holiday club. The firm is assisting consumers in disputes with Club La Costa and the Petchey Group of Companies.

Solicitor Stephen Boyd today said: "Holiday Clubs fell outside of the protection afforded to customers by the Timeshare Act 1992 (later amended in 2003 and 2007). This means that if someone purchased a Holiday Club, they would not have the right to a cooling-off period that would have automatically applied if purchasing a traditional timeshare.

"There have been similar developments in relation to products described as "fractional ownership" or in products which are in reality timeshares, but which relate to boats, cruise ships, or aeroplanes. 

"In 2008 a new European Timeshare directive was adopted and it was a requirement that all European Member States should bring this into law by February 23, 2011. The purpose of the directive was to clearly give consumers greater protection."

Key features of the directive are that holiday clubs are covered in the cooling off period, shorter Timeshare contracts are allowed, all types of holiday accommodation are covered including caravans or cruise ships, Timeshare can be resold by the consumers and the introduction of exchange services.

"Another issue that has been addressed by the new Directive relates to the resale industry," added Stephen. "In recent years there have been a number of complaints received by Linder Myers regarding individuals who have contracted with companies offering to assist them with the resale of their Timeshare.

"Unfortunately in the past this has been another 'scam'. This will change under the new directive to help to eradicate this issue for consumers.

"The new regulations will be enforced by the Office of Fair Trading and Local Authority Trading Standards Officers in the UK. Failure to comply with the directive could allow for consumers to bring a civil claim against the trader.

Consumers now have the time to take away any contracts to do with Timeshares and holiday clubs before parting with any money. We strongly advise that you take legal advice before signing anything."

Source: Midlands Business News

To comment on the original article click here

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International Timeshare Refund Action – ITRA

Our objective is to support the consumer in timeshare disputes. We have discovered a pattern of abuse, deception and even fraudulent issues that have been systematically perpetrated by many of the major timeshare industry players to the detriment of owners.

To find out more about the International Timeshare Refund Action visit our website www.itra.net

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Timeshare Points Class Action Settlement

Owners Action report that a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of RCI Points members is moving towards a possible settlement.

The announcement was made in a US magazine: “A settlement agreement has been signed and a hearing is scheduled. At the hearing, the court will decide if it should give preliminary approval to the settlement agreement. If the settlement gets preliminary approval, notices will be sent out to all RCI Points members with the terms of the settlement and information about a “fairness hearing” at which Points members can express their support or opposition to the proposed settlement, or submit comments to the court in writing. Attorneys representing other Points members from California in a similar, more recently filed, lawsuit are trying to consolidate the two lawsuits and have the court disapprove the settlement agreement. Additional information about the terms of the settlement agreement will be in the Jan/Feb issue of TimeSharing Today”.

Owners Action are a firm of specialist consultants who deal with disputes within the timeshare industry.

Owners Action have been appointed as European marketing agents by International Timeshare Refund Action (ITRA) to generate and promote consumer awareness regarding a proposed Group Litigation against RCI Europe and others.

ITRA - What to do if you have a Timeshare you can’t sell – Contact International Timeshare Refund Action

Timeshare Complaints

The Timeshare Industry is mostly a legitimate Real Estate business with many people owning timeshares who are very happy with them. Though the Timeshare Industry's name has been tarnished by a few unscrupulous people who have set up resorts and fleeced owners of thousands of pounds and tied them into contracts they can't get out of. It's these few companies that have tarnished the name and caused many of the Timeshare complaints made against the industry, with many seeking a Timeshare Refund on the property many feel they were coerced into buying by very aggressive sales tactics.