A company will get us out of our timeshare for $4,500 upfront. Legit?

The question

An illustrative letter.

The answer

My dear, you are in good company, though I know it does not feel that way. Many families have signed for a timeshare on a sunny afternoon, only to find the bills arrive long after the tan has faded. Your instinct to ask before paying $4,500 is exactly right.

Are timeshare exit companies legitimate?

Some lawyers and companies do help owners leave timeshares. But this field has also attracted a great many scams. The Federal Trade Commission lists a clear warning sign: a company that demands large fees up front before it does anything. Many also promise guaranteed results, claim special relationships with resorts, or tell owners they cannot leave without paying them.

In April 2026, after an FTC investigation, a federal court ordered a key operator of one timeshare exit scheme to pay $140 million. The scheme was alleged to have taken more than $90 million from consumers, mostly older adults, partly through false claims of being associated with timeshare companies and promised refunds that never came.

What should I try first?

Your timeshare company. The FTC suggests starting by contacting it directly, because some include exit programs that let owners hand the timeshare back. These are sometimes called deed-back or surrender programs. They may have conditions, such as being up to date on fees or having no loan balance, and there may be a modest transfer fee. Call the owner services line, ask plainly about every option to give the timeshare back, and ask for the answer in writing.

What about selling it?

Be realistic. The FTC notes that the timeshare resale market is crowded, and it may be hard, if not impossible, to sell. If you try, the FTC advises dealing with a reseller who takes fees only after the timeshare is sold. Anyone who promises a quick sale at a high price, for an upfront fee, is a warning sign.

What if I just stop paying the fees?

That can be costly. Maintenance fees are usually a contract obligation, and unpaid fees can go to collections, damage your credit and, for deeded timeshares, lead to foreclosure on the timeshare. If you are thinking about walking away, it is worth speaking first with a real estate or consumer protection attorney who charges a clear fee to review your contract, not a promise of results.

What does the timeshare really cost us each year?

Add it up honestly: the yearly maintenance fee, any special assessments, any loan payment, and the travel costs of actually using it. Then compare that total with what a vacation you would truly enjoy would cost without the timeshare. Seeing the real yearly cost on paper makes it easier to judge any exit offer, including whether a transfer fee charged by the resort itself is worth paying.

What if a company contacts us first?

Be extra wary. Many exit schemes find owners through letters, phone calls or invitations to presentations, often sounding official. The scheme in the FTC case used direct mail and in-person presentations. A company that reaches out to you, rather than one you found and checked yourself, deserves twice the scrutiny before you share any personal or account information.

How do I check out an exit company?

• Search the company's name with words like complaint, scam or lawsuit.
• Check with your state attorney general's office for complaints.
• Ask exactly what they will do, who will do it and when, and get it in writing.
• Refuse any upfront fee for a promised result. If a company is confident it can get you out, it can be paid when it does.
• Never sign a contract you cannot cancel, and read every page before signing.

Where do I report a scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. Reports help regulators find patterns and stop these companies, as they did in the case above.

How do I keep the fees from sinking our budget meanwhile?

Until you are out, the fees are part of your budget. Write down what you pay each year and how much it has risen. If there is a loan on the timeshare, our Debt Payoff Planner can show how long it will take to clear. Treat getting free as a goal with steps, not a panic to end at any price.

You were sold a dream, my dear, and there is no shame in that. Now protect your wallet from being sold a second one. Call the resort first, check every company twice, and never pay for a promise.

One thing to do this week

Call your timeshare company's owner services line, ask about every way to give the timeshare back, and get the answer in writing.