Advocate Financial Services, founded in 2011, is a timeshare exit company based out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
An Analysis of Advocate Financial Services’s Website
On their website, Advocate Financial Services offers people looking to get out of their timeshare contracts an “Educational Platform” for learning about laws regarding the cancellation of timeshare contracts, instead of providing legal advice or lawyers themselves. This “Educational Platform” is also mentioned on Advocate Financial Services’ “Contract Cancellation” webpage, where the company recommends that those looking to break a timeshare contract should seek out their own legal advice. This begs the question of what exactly Advocate Financial Services does that a potential customer can’t do for themselves, if they do not employ lawyers or give legal advice.
The company’s “Contract Cancellation” webpage also makes claims about Consumer Protection Laws and mentions that timeshare owners may be able to claim a refund of the timeshare if the timeshare developer violated any Consumer Protection Laws. However, in reality, it is difficult to receive compensation in such situations.
Advocate Financial Services Reviews
Advocate Financial Services reviews on their website feature positive audio, video, and written customer testimonials. While it is always a good sign if a company features videos of happy client reviews, it is necessary to look off-site as well in order to gauge the company’s true image.
However, Advocate Financial Services does not have many reviews outside of their own website. The company only has 2 reviews on BBB, one positive and one negative, as of 1/26/2019.
Advocate Financial Services Cost For Services
The Advocate Financial Services cost is not displayed via the web, which is similar to other timeshare exit companies. Such businesses provide individualized services and usually charge different fees on a case-by-case basis.
Advocate Financial Services’ “Surety Bond” & Concluding Thoughts
Advocate Financial Services mentions on its “Credentials” webpage that they are insured and bonded with a “$50,000 surety bond which guarantees clients’ services being rendered.” This is a way for the company to attempt to provide the client with security in using their services in an industry where cases of scams frequent. While the company’s surety bond may provide some protection, the best way to protect yourself from scams is to work with a timeshare exit company that offers an escrow payment option, where the funds for the service are first placed into a third-party holding account and only released upon the successful completion of the company’s service agreement with the client. Learn more about escrow and why you should care here.
If you want to learn more about escrow payment options or timeshare exit companies, please reach out to us via the form on the right side of the page or our live chat.