I graduated from college at age 21 with Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honors because I’m smarter than a fifth grader. Last week I was scammed out of $6,280 and received a bonus bill for $15,575 plus a lien on my property because my brains left the country along with my money.
I’m writing about my stupidity so other charming but gullible grandmothers can avoid my errors. I will include the names, telephone numbers, emails, and business names of those who scammed me. My factual words are my only revenge.
The debacle started last month when I decided to sell my Shell Vacations Club timeshare. I searched online, found a company with a professional website and glowing credentials, and sent an email. Unfortunately, the business is a scam and the credentials are bogus. Apparently, any lying crook with a dirty computer can set up a website and write positive reviews.
Here are two of the rotten scoundrels who cheated me out of $6,280. Christian Becker lies to people from Property Management Interactions, (773) 409-4913, extension 8857. The email is [email protected]. Emma Watson cackles at the corrupt title company called Alliance Resource Advisors, (469) 729-4903 in Dallas, Texas. The email is [email protected]. Only later did I notice she spelled her title “Exectutive Closing Agent.” I deserve this punishment.
Three different crooks contacted me from Property Management Interactions. The first, Adrian Martinez, suddenly disappeared in a mysterious motorcycle crash after he discovered I owned the timeshare free and clear. Then Christian Becker sold me the equivalent of a bridge in Brooklyn. After I complained, Christian was banished on an unexplained leave of absence only to be replaced by Alejandro Corona. I asked him to spell his name so I could include it correctly in this blog. He doesn’t like me, and the feeling is mutual.
Their contract promised a huge payment with no money up front and of course they had an eager buyer. After more than 20 telephone calls, it turned out I owed an initial fee of $6,280. Like a fool, I paid it and the money went to Mexico. Hello, red flag? Then I received the second surprise: another bill for $15,575 to cover Value-Added Tax and a new Registry for Foreign Investment Tax. Also, they put a lien on my property but promised to pay me $84,105. My language in return was less than Christian.
Today at the bank, I learned that the Federal Trade Commission and state consumer protection agencies are working full-time to shut down dishonest timeshare resellers that have bilked timeshare owners out of millions of dollars. This is a club I did not want to join and I’d like to sell or donate my membership. My banker advised me to call the credit reporting agencies to put an alert on my credit report and notify the IRS that my information has been compromised. He warned me that the scammers could sell my information and print counterfeit checks on the frozen account. The bank couldn’t refund my money or cover it through insurance but they did transfer my overdraft protection and bill payment details.
My official police report will be turned over to Interpol to investigate the companies for fraud and extortion. At least there is a silver lining: I never will have the title of Exectutive Closing Agent.
My heart is heavy as I read this. I think you are very brave sharing your story with the world, especially naming names. I hope everyone who reads this will share it.
Elaine my hat goes off to you for telling your story. It takes guts.
That just totally sucks. I am so, so sorry!
Well, that was one big kick in your ass!! I appreciate your open sharing to help save others from the same snarky situation. All the best as you recover from this. Hope the crooks end up in a dirty jail.
Thanks for sharing this. Don’t beat up on yourself. It could have happened to any of us. I’m sorry it happened to you.
it sucks that people are out there that do crap like this. So disappointing.
Simply Shaunacey
How frustrating! So sorry to read this.
Oh Elaine,
I’m so sorry this happened to you. When this kind of thing happens, it try’s to make you lose faith with the world. It can make you feel like everyone is out to get you. Please know that there are still wonderful people out there too. Many of us right here for you. We’re good people who feel terrible that this has happened to you. May something wonderfully extraordinary happen to you soon. You deserve it!!
Thank you for sharing! How unfortunate. We too have considered selling our timeshare but have no idea to whom one can turn and have trustworthy help. At least I know where NOT to turn!! Thanks for the warnings and sorry for the hard lessons. I could truly happen to any of us!
You have done a major public service by writing about this. I am sharing with people I know. Blessings, Elaine.
I will never understand these people, but then again I’m not a crook. You are very brave and absolutely correct by writing this post and I hope in some small way it was cathartic for you. Oh, it grinds my teeth! I wish they’d catch these criminals and slam them into jail. Don’t mess with Elaine!!!
I hope they catch those crooks and that karma pays them a lonnnnnggg visit very very very soon. Hang in there, Elaine. And thank you for sharing your story.
So sorry this happened to you, Elaine. Thanks for having the courage to post this and warn others. The scammers are so practiced these days that we can all be bilked, even those who are smartest among us.
So sorry, Elaine. By sharing your story, and naming names, you’ve saved many from making the same mistake. Blessings to you!
Oh, man. That is brutal. I feel for you. I almost bought a time share in the Hill Country (a VERY long time ago), and when I had buyer’s remorse by the next morning, it took me being Bad Cop and my ex being Good Cop to get my refund, which came a month later. It was awful, and I can’t even imagine losing that money. It makes me want to cry.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who
had been conducting a little research on this. And he
actually ordered me lunch because I discovered it for
him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this issue here on your blog.
In researching Alliance Resource Advisors Emma Watson I came across your article about this company. My friend Barry is in the process of working with Property Management Interactions on selling his Palace Resort time share. He was supposed to pay Alliance Resource Advisors Emma Watson $10,000 for Palace Resort transfer fee. They indicated that if he paid Palace Resorts directly it would not be refundable.
We called Palace resorts and they said the transfer fee would be 10% of the cost of the Time Share which should be around
The scam is still in process and was wondering is there is a way they could be charged using his transaction
Anyway was wondering if there was any way to nail these guys
Sincerely
Bob Reeves for
Barry Gehring 206 351 9120
Bob and Barry – don’t do anything with these crooks. There is no restitution. These scam artists will just open another business and create another professional-looking website.
Please include me in any emails for Barry Gehring
Thanks
Bob Reeves
We were scammed too! The same people, the same lies, but we found your blog too late. Luckily, no lien on our time-share. I hope they get caught, but of course do not expect to receive any compensation whatsoever. I just saw that they have an office in Milton, Massachusetts this time. Please beware and do not believe a word they say. I have received several more calls from similar organizations and you better believe they have received a very loud and nasty piece of my mind!!
I was helping a friend out with this company. I did a search on the person
he was dealing with. Your blog came up with her name in it and if became
apparent this was a scam. Even after cancelling the listing they came after
him because of a cancellation fee that was in the document that he had signed.
He ignored them told them to talk with his attorney and they finally went away.
Thanks to your blog he wasn’t scammed Thank YOu
I wish I had been smarter, Robert. I’m thankful I helped someone else avoid these snakes.
Thanks so much