The 2025 timeshare year has had a robust start. Volunteer Cindy, from North Carolina, led the news this month by sharing her notes taken while attending a presentation hosted by the timeshare exit company, Tradebloc. Cindy appeared on PodTV’s Timeshare Solution or Surrender, Episode 47, January 20. https//podtv.tv/timeshare-showcase
On January 23rd, the Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison, announced a settlement with Tradebloc, Encore Law, and a third exit company, creatively named, Last Resort Consulting. Details of the investigation and settlement can be found in the Minnesota press release and Assurance of Discontinuance linked below.
According to the report released by Mr. Ellison,
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office receives numerous complaints every year from consumers facing burdensome expenses and headaches with purchased timeshares. Common complaints about timeshares concern out-of-control and perpetual “maintenance fee” debts, inability to book desired reservation times, and inability to transfer the timeshare interest once it can no longer be used.
Because of the growing number of consumers looking to get out of unwanted and costly timeshares, a new industry of “timeshare exit” companies has sprung up in recent years promising consumers a way out. These companies typically are not sought out by consumers but are contacted through targeted mass mailings, online ads, and radio spots.
“Remember, in Minnesota, it is illegal to charge an upfront fee for debt-settlement services.”
Attorney General Ellison cracks down on “timeshare exit” companies
Investigations lead to settlements with three companie that violated Minnesota law in promising relief from timeshare debts; AG to refund nearly $270,000
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/01/23_TimeshareExit.asp
Assurance of Discontinuance - Tradebloc
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/docs/Tradebloc_AoD.pdf
More Legal Updates
We continue to shed light on the many active duty service members and veterans that have reported unfair and deceptive timeshare practices, finding their security clearances in jeopardy when left with no choice but to default. Many veterans maintain security clearances post-service working in military-related careers. On November 29, 2024, a fifth Military Lending Act (MLA) lawsuit was filed against Hilton Grand Vacations. The post below has been updated to include this recent filing, as we continue to follow updates on the Bluegreen Vacations, Westgate Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Wyndham/Travel & Leisure MLA lawsuits:
https://tarda.org/blog/43-military/242-military-timeshare-buyers-vs-holiday-inn-club-vacation-bluegreen-vacation-westgate-resorts-and-wyndham-destinations-an-update
We thank the Timeshare Law Library for helping us keep up with timeshare court filings.
https://timesharelawlibrary.com/
Acquisitions
Vacatia acquires The Berkeley and DM Management, including Vacation Village and Great Eastern
TARDA has received dozens of complaints from Vacation Village and Great Eastern “owners” unable to give away or sell unwanted timeshares. Barring documented serious medical or financial hardship, these resorts offer no responsible exit.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vacatia-acquires-the-berkley-group-and-daily-management-302341393.html
Vacatia seems to be a rental and resale platform. There is no upfront fee to list a week for sale. With defaults rising, while pursuing delinquent owners, Vacatia can likely aid the resorts in renting out unwanted inventory.
There are resorts that offer a responsible exit, but even Hyatt and Hilton Grand Vacations have paused their responsible exit programs for an extended period of time. The lack of a viable secondary market, and the impossibility of selling a timeshare with an outstanding loan, forces far too many fiscally responsible people into timeshare default. We hope Club Exploria, Vacation Village, Great Eastern, and Soleil Managment, that offer no responsible exit for unwanted timeshares, will work towards a solution, whether it be repurpose, or on-site or off-site support programs. While some have achieved a deed-back with documented medical hardship, you don't have to prove medical hardship to sell your four bedroom home after the kids move out. Lifestyles change.
Thank you to all new and returning PodTV guests this month, including Rhonda, Candy, Dennis, Iris, Mohamed, Anne, Cindy, attorney Mike Finn, and board members Sheilah and Sherida. A special shout out to our professional broadcaster, Kim Calhoun, for supporting fellow co-host and board member Irene. PodTV is bringing us together in a way that has never happened before.
If you have an interest in becoming a TARDA volunteer, or a guest on PodTV Timeshare Solution or Surrender, click here to learn more;
