The maintenance fee bill came in the mail. You opened it, and your stomach dropped. The number went up again.

Now you have a choice to make. You can pay it for one more year, or you can find a way out.

But there is a catch. Maybe you tried to get out before. You paid a company that promised to help, and then they stopped calling back. So now you feel burned twice. First by the timeshare, and then by the people who said they would fix it.

If that is you, please hear this. You did nothing wrong. You trusted people who were trained to earn your trust. That is not a flaw in you. That is how the system was built.

This guide will show you how to spot a scam. It will also show you what a safe, legal way out looks like.

Why Fee Season Brings Out the Scammers

Many resorts send fee bills in the fall and winter. Scammers know this. They know owners feel stressed when the bill shows up. As a result, the calls, letters, and emails pick up this time of year.

The fees are real, too. The average yearly fee reached about $1,550 in 2025, according to the timeshare industry’s own trade group. That was up from $1,480 the year before. In other words, the bill keeps growing, and the people who want your money know it.

Bad actors use that stress against you. They talk about a “limited time offer.” They say a buyer is waiting. They tell you to decide today. However, a real solution never needs you to rush.

The 7 Red Flags of a Timeshare Scam

Here are the signs to watch for. If you see even one, slow down.

1. They called you first

Did a stranger reach out when you never asked for help? The FTC lists this as a warning sign. A trusted company waits for you to reach out.

2. They say a buyer is waiting

Resale scams often start this way. Someone claims a buyer will pay top dollar. First, though, you have to pay a fee. The truth is simple. Most timeshares resell for 0% to 10% of the first price, according to one large owners’ group. So a “hot buyer” story is almost always a trap.

3. They want money sent in odd ways

Be careful with wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps sent to a personal account. FINRA warns that scammers often ask for wired funds. After all, money sent that way is very hard to get back.

4. Their promises are only spoken

Anyone can make a promise on the phone. So ask for it on paper. A real company puts every promise in the contract. That includes what they will do, how long it takes, and what happens if they do not deliver.

5. They have no plan for your credit

Ask a simple question. “What happens to my credit while you work on this?” Some companies shrug. Others tell owners to just sit tight and wait. That kind of plan can leave you open to late notices and collections. For that reason, walk away from any company that can’t show you how your credit stays protected.

6. They can’t explain how it works

Ask them, “What exactly will you do?” A scammer gives vague answers. You hear words like “special process” or “we have connections.” In contrast, a real firm walks you through each step in plain words.

7. They push you to sign today

Pressure is a red flag. The FTC tells owners not to act quickly or under pressure. You deserve time to read, think, and talk with your family.

How to Check a Company Before You Pay

Now for the good part. You can check any company in under an hour. Here is your quick win for today. Do these five things before you sign anything:

• Look up the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau.
• Check how long they have been in business.
• Get the guarantee in writing, and read every line.
• Find out who does the legal work and how your credit stays protected.

Write down every answer. If a company won’t answer, you have your answer.

What a Safe Way Out Looks Like

A safe path has three things in common. First, it is legal. The goal is to cancel the contract, not dodge it. Second, your credit stays protected the whole time. Third, every promise is in writing, with a clear money-back guarantee if the job is not done.

That is how we built our process at Liberty Timeshare Resolution. Our founder, Bart Bowe, spent over a decade in the timeshare industry. He saw how the sales room works from the inside. Later, he watched owners get hurt again by companies that took their money and did nothing. So in 2018, he started Liberty to do it the right way.

Our Credit-Safe Cancellation Process has two tracks that work together. Track one takes your contract apart and finds the legal path to cancel it. Track two puts a credit firewall in place before anything else happens. In short, you cancel the contract legally, credit protected the whole time.

Since 2018, we have helped over 30,000 owners. Together, we have eliminated more than $350 million in timeshare obligations. We also hold an A rating with the BBB. On top of that, every client gets our 18-month, 100% money-back guarantee in writing.

You Are Not Starting Over

If you got burned before, it is normal to feel wary. In fact, that caution is a good thing. It means you will ask the right questions this time.

Meanwhile, the fee bill does not get to decide your next year for you. Take your time. Check every company, including us. Then choose the path that protects you and your family.

Get the Free Guide

Want the full picture before you talk to anyone? Our free Timeshare Resolution Guide walks you through your options in plain words. It shows how cancellation works and how your credit stays protected along the way.

Get your free copy here: https://libertytimeshareresolution.com/guide-organic/