If you have been victimized by either a timeshare resale firm or a timeshare resort, add your complaint below.
Timeshare Scams and Fraud
TIMESHARE RENTAL SCAM - CENTURY EVENTS & DESTINATION
Company Name: CENTURY EVENTS & DESTINATION
Company Address: 1735 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA
Company Website: http://www.centuryeventsanddestinations.com/services.html
Company Phone: 215-253-5554 215-392-0615
Sales Person: JOSHUA ANDERSON
Additional Names: JACK & DIANE TOWERS
TIMESHARE RENTAL SCAM - CENTURY EVENTS & DESTINATION
Company Name: CENTURY EVENTS & DESTINATION
Company Address: 1735 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA
Company Website: http://www.centuryeventsanddestinations.com/services.html
Company Phone: 215-253-5554 215-392-0615
Sales Person: JOSHUA ANDERSON
07/15/2013: Joshua Anderson from Century Events & Destinations (CED) contacted us telephonically. Claimed to have a client that wants to rent one of our vacation weeks at Ocean Coral and Turquesa for the next 10 years. Initial sale price of $17,950.00. Meaning $1,795.00 per week/per year for the next 10 years.
7/31/2013: Contract was emailed, reviewed, signed and sent back.
First change: Client declined initial sales price and offered $15,950.00. We accepted new offer, signed and emailed documents back.
8/8/2013: We were instructed to pay $1,526.85 for the Transfer Certificate. (confirmation# 2181018285) Upon inquiry it was explained to me that Mexico needs proof that the payments come from the actual owner’s account to abide with the new laws and regulations to prevent money laundering by drug cartels. I was also insured that the “buyer” has set up an Escrow account in my name in the US and every time I make a payment, the buyer deposit the same amount into this account, from which I will be reimbursed after closure, as the contract stated.
8/16/2013: Wire transfer #2 for $3,030.50 for the 19% Sales Tax. (C#2281256702)
8/30/2013: Wire transfer #3 for $2,492.00 for 50% of Closing & Administration. (C#2410217350)
9/4/2013: Wire transfer #4 for $2,492.00 for the other 50% of Closing & Administration. (C# 2471616020) Making it 100% of the Closing & Administration to which we have agreed to by contract. I thought this would be the final payment. By this time I had to borrow money since I’ve depleted my account. This was a temporary fix in the hope that the deal will close soon and I will be reimbursed. .
9/11/2013: Wire transfer #5 for $3,700.00 for Attorney’s Fees. (C#2530638228)
9/13/2014: Wire transfer #6 for $4,255.00 Power of Attorney Translation Fees. (C#2560640414)
I was threatened by “contract break” if I did not pay this. I was told this would be the last payment due and that I was scheduled for payment 9/17/2013.
9/16/2013: I received a call at 1pm that the “buyer” encountered a problem. Mexico does not want give the certificate of release until $5,700.00 was paid. At this stage I had no cash left. There was no way I could pay the outstanding amount before the pay-out-date. Instead of postponing the date, Joshua kept the pay-out-date the same. This resulted in a Late Surcharge Fee of $1,939.88. I finally scrapped the money together, again.
10/7/2013: I received a n email from Joshua: “The arrangements have been made for pay out to be Oct./ 11nth/ 2013, and all parties now including yourself have been informed of the new release date”.
10/8/2013: Wire Transfer #7 for $5,700.00 for Certificate of Release. (C#2830285621)
Wire Transfer #8 for $1,939.88 for Late Surcharge. (C#2830284221) As always I faxed the proof. Friday 10/11/2013: I received a call from Joshua, confirming that according to Mexico, everything “Transpired” and I will receive payment and reimbursement soon.
10/15/2013: Tuesday, Joshua called to let me know that apparently the wire transfers did NOT go through in time and before the scheduled pay-out-date, resulting in yet another late Surcharge fee.
Please note that all 6 previous wire Transfers went through immediately, according to my bank records, but the last two mysteriously and suspiciously took more than 48 hours??? This after they have initially confirmed payments. When I refused to pay anything more, Joshua suggested Cancelling. I had to write an email, clearly explaining we want to cancel because we can’t pay the latest surcharge.
10/24/2103: I wrote the email and sent it to him.
10/28/2013 I received an email from Joshua with a cancellation document that I need to sign as well as a wire transfer of $3,190.00 that I need to make in order to cancel. This I refused. In the meantime the account was frozen to prevent interest. After a month of tug and war and out of pure frustration and exhaustion, we agreed to pay 50% of the cancelation fee plus 50% of the amount to “unfreeze” the account.
12/11/2013: Final Wire Transfer #9 was made for Cancelation: $2,095.00. (C#20133450290197) With this a promise of pay-out 12/13/2013.
We are still waiting…
Every time I call I get an excuse that CED has not yet received confirmation from Mexico.
In Summary:
• Twice under the advice of the Agent: Joshua Anderson, a payment date was scheduled, and both times “something unforeseen” happened, resulting in a Late Surcharge Fee.
• Wire Transfer dates according to CED Statements and my bank statements does not correlate.
• Buyer: Jack Towers. Telephone number: 206-701-7517
• All the wire Transfers showed ‘Immediate’ according to my bank records.
• ALL payments were wired to:
• Servicos De Turismo Internacional M6,
• S.A De C.V, Guadalajara, Jal.
• Mexico CP 45110.
• Account #65503383449.
• Bank code:BMSXMXMM.
• SWIFT code 021000021.
• Adress: Av.Patria #1560. Col.Santa Isabel.
• Our Account No @ CED: 206345753
• Our ID No @ CED: 04958-12145-199998
• Century Events & Destinations
1735 Market St
Philadelphia, PA, 19103-2921
215-253-5554
215-392-0615
Fax: 484-223-3013
[email protected]
This was reported to the BBB and the Attorney General’s Office. Neither could do anything since the physical business address is false and does not exist.
Century Events & Destinations does not answer calls or reply on any emails.