1/18/2013 2:21:54 PM
Consumer Advisory on Resale Companies(2)
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and its Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC) have been made aware of a deceptive marketing solicitation that attempts to defraud timeshare owners through improper representation of ARDA. ARDA and ARDA-ROC urge owners to use caution with unsolicited marketing calls from companies that you have not fully researched.Read More
1/10/2013 11:26:06 AM
Consumer Advisory on Resale Companies
ARDA warns owners to proceed with caution if they are contacted as part of either of two new reported resale efforts. The “Sales Tax or Fee” scam involves a claim from a resale company that they have a buyer who would like to purchase the owner’s timeshare located in Mexico. They then ask the seller (timeshare owner) for thousands of dollars in upfront fees to pay for the sales tax with the promise of being compensated after the sale. ARDA has also received information from timeshare owners who have reported getting calls from buyers wanting to purchase their timeshare through a specific resale company because they claim that the resale company is holding their purchase money in escrow. This may be a new scam created to get around the Florida Timeshare Resale Accountability Act that took effect in July of 2012.Read More
12/11/2012 1:20:30 PM
Timeshare Industry Provides New Resource to Educate Owners on Transfer Companies
The American Resort Development Association Resort Owners' Coalition (ARDA-ROC) announced a new resource for timeshare owners who receive marketing solicitations from companies offering to thelp transfer ownership of their timeshare. The Transfer Company Information Center is new web page on ARDA-ROC's website about these companies—otherwise known as transfer companies—with useful information for home owners’ associations and timeshare owners regarding these businesses and their sales and marketing practices.Read More
10/3/2012 10:42:21 AM
Florida State Agency Releases Consumer Advisory
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued a consumer advisory after learning an entity posing as the Department is allegedly targeting license holders in a potential identity theft scam. An unsolicited email which appears to be from the Department warns of pending disciplinary action against licenses. The email directs the recipient to call a Department investigator at a toll-free number and provide personal identification information.Read More
6/26/2012 10:05:33 AM
Consumer Advisory on Fradulent Collections
The American Resort Development Association has recently been made aware of a fraudulent marketing practice targeting consumers over maintenance fee billings. All owners should use caution if they are solicited by a company claiming to work on behalf of an association collecting overdue maintenance fees due to billing errors or an unexpected special assessment. Contact your resort immediately to be certain the bill and the company collecting it are legitimate.Read More
6/25/2012 9:56:26 AM
Florida Governor Signs Timeshare Resale Accountability Act
Florida Governor Rick Scott held a ceremonial signing of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act on Friday, June 22, making Florida one of the first states in the country to take a bold stand against fraudulent timeshare resale activity. ARDA and ARDA-ROC representatives attended the ceremony and applaud the Governor and Attorney General for support of the bill to its passing.Read More
5/18/2012 9:15:11 AM
ADA Pool Lift Deadline Extended to 2013
The US Department of Justice issued its final rule on the compliance deadline for the ADA Standard for existing pools and spas. The deadline has been extended to January 31, 2013.Read More
5/10/2012 1:05:38 PM
Consumer Advisory Alert
Based on communications with numerous timeshare owners, ARDA cautions consumers on a new scam targeting timeshare owners.Read More
4/25/2012 9:57:44 AM
Ken McKelvey 2012 Volunteer of the Year
Ken McKelvey, chair of ARDA-ROC and chairman and CEO of Defender Resorts, Inc., is this year’s ACE Volunteer of the Year.Read More
3/22/2012 2:59:53 PM
Don't Miss These Legislative Meetings, Forums, and Events at ARDA World
Check out ARDA-ROC and government affairs specific programming to be featured at ARDA World 2012.Read More
3/16/2012 9:50:51 AM
ARDA-backed Coalition Secures Compromise On Pool Lift Requirement
The White House issued a 60-day extension that will push the compliance date for the pool lift requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to May 15, 2012.Read More
3/9/2012 9:29:50 AM
Timeshare Industry Celebrates Passage of Timeshare Resale Accountability Act
Today, ARDA and ARDA-ROC celebrated the Florida Legislature’s passage of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, sponsored by Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida State Representative Eric Eisnaugle and supported by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.Read More
2/22/2012 2:10:33 PM
FCC Modifies Telephone Consumer Protection Act
On February 15, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to amend its Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulations. Learn more about these amendments here.Read More
1/31/2012 2:07:39 PM
Florida Legislation to Rein in Deceptive Timeshare Resale Practices
In celebration of both House and Senate versions of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, sponsored by Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida State Representative Eric Eisnaugle and supported by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, passing its first committees, ARDA and ARDA-ROC announce their support of the bill in the following press release.Read More