BBB warns that some companies are using deceptive sales tactics to bilk thousands from already cash-strapped timeshare owners. One such company has come to our attention recently. One Stop Timeshares, also known as One Stop Vacations, is supposedly in Cincinnati; however our attempts to locate their offices have been unsuccessful.

They tell consumers they had buyers lined up, willing to buy their unwanted timeshares. The company asks consumers to pay upfront fees totaling over $500 to complete the sale. They even provide contracts and paperwork to make it seem that everything is on the up and up. Consumers, trusting the company’s promises, wire the commission fees to individuals located in the Daytona Beach, FL area. After weeks of waiting, consumers never receive the money for their timeshare and are unable to obtain a refund.

How you can avoid this scam:

· Use a Business You can Trust – Make sure the timeshare reseller you use is a BBB Accredited Business or at the very least has a good rating with BBB. You can check out a business’s BBB Reliability Report at www.cincinnati.bbb.org.

· Confirm Licensing Requirements – Some timeshare resellers will use fake addresses or PO boxes in order to mislead timeshare owners. Confirm where the company is located and in what states it does business. Ask if the company's salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If so, verify this with the state licensing board.

· Get the Facts on the Figures – Find out if the business charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?

· Be Wary of Upfront Fees – Many complainants to BBB were burned by companies charging an advance "appraisal" fee for services or were told that they just had to pay closing costs and the timeshare would be taken off their hands. Consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold.

· Don’t Fall for the Hard Sell or an Offer that Sounds Too Good to Be True – Don’t agree to anything over the phone but instead ask the salesperson to send you written materials; take the time to think it over and don’t be pressured. Unscrupulous timeshare resellers may claim that your property is in demand and they can sell it immediately; unfortunately, these promises are often empty.