The Federal Trade Commission recently shut down a telemarketing business which allegedly preys on unsuspecting timeshare owners who are desperately trying to sell their properties. The FTC explained to media that they were able to secure a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida.

According to local government officials, tens of thousands of unsolicited telephone calls were made by Vacation Property Services based in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, two companies related to VPS are also involved for having engaged in fraudulent telemarketing. In exchange for finding buyers for their properties, timeshare owners were asked to pay upfront fees amounting from anywhere between $200 and $8,000.

Officials further allege that telemarketing companies relay fictitious congratulatory greetings to their victims. Timeshare owners who pose questions regarding the required upfront fees were told that such amounts were going to be used to cover sales costs which include processing and title search fees.