SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) \u2014 An East Tennessee couple has been scammed by a company that promised to get them out of their timeshare units within two years, but it never happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company has gone out of business and is under federal investigation. The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have filed a lawsuit against Colorado-based TimeShare Help Source. Investigators say the company allegedly used deceptive sales practices guaranteeing they could get people out of their timeshare contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doug and Barbara Velliquette enjoyed looking at pictures of their family vacations when they visited their timeshare units. But when Barbara suffered a stroke three years ago, the couple decided they wanted to sell. They had three timeshares with Bluegreen Vacations. They were pleased with the company but decided in early 2022 they wanted out of the contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Timeshare Help Source placed an unsolicited call saying they could help sell their timeshares, the couple was interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey contacted us. They called our number, that they could help us get out of our timeshare,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The couple said they were invited to a half-day seminar in Sevierville. They were satisfied Timeshare Help Source was on the up and up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey explained the whole procedure to us. We talked it over that day and decided, okay, we got to do this,\u201d said Barbara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost to sell was $15,496. The legal papers were signed and notarized in May 2022. They were convinced the business would deliver on its 24-month guarantee. A guarantee from the company said, \u201cwe will get you out of your timeshare or we will give you a complete and full refund.\u201d However, the couple has not received a refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were expecting [a refund] yes. They even said 100 percent guaranteed back,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, Timeshare Help Source is permanently closed. Several sources confirm the company is out of business. Doug and Barbara\u2019s timeshare units were never sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat didn\u2019t happen. They no longer are to be found as a company. They\u2019ve skipped town,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barbara added, \u201cWe signed everything we had it notarized. Why would you think this would happen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are multiple lawsuits involving Timeshare Help Source. The FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Timeshare Help Source for allegedly deceptive sales practices, high-pressure sales pitches, and false claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would like to see them prosecuted. If they are brought to justice, I would like to be on the list of one of the clients that they scammed,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The couple contacted Blue Green, their original timeshare company, to get out of their timeshares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey helped by letting us get out of our timeshares at a cost,\u201d said Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barbara said she would be totally pleased if they got a portion of their $15,500 back from Timeshare Help Source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doug said they were given a slick presentation by the representatives of TimeShare Help Source, but were given vague explanations of how their timeshares were going to be sold. If a timeshare exit company can not give you information about how they\u2019re going to help you, their promises and presence are virtually meaningless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to timeshare exit companies, consumer experts suggest finding out cost amounts ahead of time and getting information on whether or not you can pay through escrow. While operations like TimeShare Help Source do not deliver what they promised, there are legitimate timeshare exit companies out there.<\/p>\n\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"news_category":[],"class_list":["post-8127","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"featured_image_is_logo":false,"external_link":""},"yoast_head":"\n