The OFT and Trading Standards have launched a campaign to raise awareness of scams by encouraging people to drop scam mail they have received into ‘Scamnesty’ bins located at public places around the country between the 1-26th February 2010. It is also possible to report bogus web sites, telephone calls, emails or even text messages through the Consumer Direct website (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty). This has an online function for consumers to log/ forward scam emails and websites.

 It has been brought to RDO's [The Resort Development Organisation's] attention that a Singapore based resale company called World Axial Asia may be telephoning timeshare owners, informing them that they are representatives of RDO.

This company is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorised to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.

In Friday’s BBC1 Rip off Britain programme, presented by TV personalities Jennie Bond, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon, the problems of signing up to bogus holiday clubs were highlighted. It was reported that these clubs promise luxury breaks at bargain prices but all too often leave their members out of pocket and thorough fed up. Customers are warned not to fall for the sophisticated sales pitch and should follow the advice below:

• Never hand over money unless you are given a contract that you are happy with

It has been brought to our attention that an organisation in the UK using the names of ‘Owners Action’, ‘ITRA’, and ‘Bridge View Consultants LTD’ is contacting members of the exchange company RCI to inform them that they may be entitled to some form of compensation from RCI.

It is possible, however, that this organisation may be offering participation in a proposed class action as a way to sell them another product, such as membership of a holiday club.

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) is offering members exclusive discounts of ten per cent on a series of services from exchange companies, marketing and advertising suppliers, solicitors and accountants.

Companies taking part in the scheme include the two primary exchange companies, Interval International and Group RCI, with discounts available for advertisements in their publications: Interval World and Vacation Industry Review, and RCI Ventures magazine.

The Concept

The timeshare industry is over 30 years old, and generates revenues of over $9.4bn per annum. Today, there are 6.7 million timeshare owners worldwide, of which over one and a half million reside in Europe alone. Yet few realise the extent of timeshare's contribution to the economies of Europe and to providing all year round tourism and employment. 

Brussels 19th August 2009 - An ex-police inspector is leading a project organised by RDO (Resort Development Organisation) to warn consumers about the dangers of bogus discount travel membership clubs - more commonly known as holiday clubs - and fraudulent resale companies.

The project aims to draw attention to unscrupulous companies that deliberately deceive consumers and pressurise them into signing up to membership of a holiday club or a resale scheme.