New alert goes out for a new cold caller La Vida Viva. Have you been called already by them?
La Vida Viva, with website www.lavidaviva.com claims to be based in Malaga on the Costa del sol. The website was registered on the 18th of January 2012.
Their address is C/Juan Martinez Montañes, 10, local 6b, Malaga
Telephone : (0034) 951 191 004 and Fax (0034) 951 240 014
Email info@lavidaviva.com
For the moment the person calling is called Louise Armstrong.
Louise claims to have a guaranteed buyer for the timeshare lined up. And this buyer is so keen to buy that he has already deposited a 30% of the price into an Escrow account. Really? Of course La Vida Viva is not going to process this successful sale without a guarantee for them, imagine the timeshare owner would after all not send the deed?
So they ask for a security bond of 1200€
That sounds to me like an upfront fee, no?
When the consumer states the 1200€ is far too much to what they can afford, Louise actually kindly reduces the price to 800€. Nice one, although still an upfront fee…
There are no companies registered at the Spanish Companies House under this name, and neither does the website provide the required information on company identification.
Seen the above, not really a company we would recommend for a resale.
Cold calls, no info on web, upfront fees and no registration…
Have you been called by La Vida Viva from 0034951191004 ?
Please let us know!
I have had the similar problem, I paid but then got a refund from my C/C but now have had calls from a notary in Malaga and now one from Faro asking for a sum to be paid to an individual in the local tax office to cover expat tax liabilities for a sale of very disproportionate sale. I have notice of repayment from La Vida Vida but still a sale has “gone through” via continent connections. Both appear to be in Benalmadena costa. I have got my money back so how can a sale be made. This all started with ILG !!!!!
I recieved a call from them today, it is now a man called Sean and he is asking for 1400 euros with a promise of £8000 coming to us on a sale. I sure this is a scam don’t get involved.
I was contacted on 8th March 2012 by La Vida Viva with the promise of a sale of our timeshare. Normally I would run a mile from these calls but they must have caught me on a bad judgement day!! I reluctantly agreed to pay 800 euros on my credit card in advance of the sale promised although I expected to be covered under the distance selling regulations if things went wrong. After visiting this site and taking advice from Albert Garcia, the Timeshare Council and my credit card company, I sent a letter recorded delivery (Internationally signed for) to La Vida Viva cancelling the telephone agreement under the distance selling regulations and asking for a refund of the 800 euros within 30 days. I am happy to report that I received a full refund onto my credit card on 11th March. A very fortunate outcome for me and proof that refunds can happen.
Unfortunately, yes, I have paid 895Euros & signed the contract. The person was called Louise & was very persistent & plausible – I checked on the web, and at that time, I couldn’t find any adverse comment, so I reluctantly went ahead after about the 4th call. Can anyone help me get my money back?
John; Called by male who gave the name “John Marsh”. Based in Malaga. Wanted 1400 Euros by Visa, went on to say money was secure. Another scam. Offered me £9950–00. Seemed to know everything about a transaction done well over a year ago. Yes another scam. Been there got the “T” shirt. Should be a law against this happening.
yes ipaid £1036.00 have told my bank not happy with companys like this .
yes just been called this week the girl is called rachel morris they wanted 1280.00 euro
Just in conversation with a Ben Jackson tel number 0034 951 191 004 with the same talk and wants 1400 Euro via my Mastercard or Visa; suspect usual scam especailly as price quoted is 2x the price I paid for Club class points
Please be very wary of lavida viva. I have just been contacted by a Suzy matthews who is from England but obviously scamming for a dishonest company in Cost Del Sol. we have been scammed before, same old story, pay a fee up front then we deposit the money into your bank account!!! How these people sleep at night is anybodys’ guess. They should be strung up!!!!! Asking for 1295 euros. Please please please do not part with anything, be easier to give the timeshare away than to give those scumbags your hard earned cash.
Jackie
Cold call from Paul Birch this morning – having had this conversation any number of times over the years, I launched straight into the ‘OK but not a brass farthing from me’ speech and he did not push it. However, we didn’t get as far as the bond subject so maybe that little surprise will await when they next call! Asked for confirmation email from them and he refused, citing admin costs. Also indicated a selling price of around 15p per point, which would net me around £7.5k, for something that I cannot sell by other more reputable routes at present for £750!
yes ive had the same phone call and they say the £900e i have to pay is there guarantee that i hand over the deeds if i dont then they have 900e to take me to court and get back the £9300.00 they promised to me for the sale of my timeshare they are going to contact me today so i can pay they also said that if i pay by visa debit then i still have a gaurantee that if they dont send me the money i can get the 900es back from the bank is this true or if i pay by visa card then i can get back the money i paid is this true i dont know what to do
Beware. My understanding is that the payment on your visa card is a voluntary gift of money and NOT a purchase of goods. It probably is not covered.
Do some research. There are thousands of properties available for a pittance. Why would anyone cold call you to offer way over the market value? If it is too good to be true, then it is… !!!
Hi Mal,
Yes you are right, you have to be careful with these payments as the banks are not keen to refund and sometimes it takes a lot of time and letters to get a positive answer!
Kind regards
Customer Care
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your message.
We are sorry to hear you have paid them.
If it was very recent, contact your bank asap, and also write a cancellation letter to La Vida Viva and send this by recorded delivery.
In the meantime we will send you more information by email.
Kind regards
Custumer Care
Today. Called by MELISSA Kendall.
Sounded very plausible until mention of a 999 euro bond, which would be refunded when I typed a number that I would be given into a machine brought by a courier who would come to my house to collect the deeds of my timeshare. REALLY ????
She said that if I paid by VISA it was fully covered by new European legislation.
She also said TATOC not to be trusted as it was run by Timeshare Owners.
Today. Very convincing call from MELISSA Kendall. Sounded plausable untill a bond of 999 Euros required which would be refunded when a number that I would be given is typed into a machine carried by a courier who will visit my house to collect the title deeds of my timeshare. REALLY ???
I was just contacted by marsha Kendal of lavidaviva, who said she has a buyer for my timeshare and would like an upfront payment
Same story, diferent name!