Checkmate Contract Services has been brought to our attention by several consumers this week.

This company using a Virtual Address in London (Kemp House 152 – 160 City Road EC1V 2NX) has appeared on stage as they are actually referred to by other companies know on this blog.

Indeed companies such as Timeshare Refund Network or Canarian Legal Alliance have recommended Checkmate Contract Services to timeshare consumers.

This seems rather an odd situation as the services Check Mate offers are very similar to those offered by Timeshare Refund Network.

So why would they “give away” their potential customers? Doing a bit of research on Checkmate we have found the following information.

The website www.checkmate-contract-services.com was registered at the end of March 2013 As there is no Company House Registration available we can only deduct from the web registration date that they haven’t been around for long.

Never the less they claim to have hundreds of Consumer Act 75 claims running and numerous successful cases of disposals and other claims. On the website there is this “Virtual” Address with a note that this address is only for usage of posting documents and for meetings with an appointment. But where are they based then?

There is not even a telephone number available to call them! Their main slogan on the web is “Strategic Contract Dissolving”, which refers to their Disposal Services; they also claim to provide a range of other services such as Consumer Act claims and even court cases.

Checkmate Contract Services also asks for payments upfront.

In the case of disposal there is a mention of 3 x the maintenance fees but in the terms and conditions they also mention a “booking fee” which is non-refundable in case the consumer decides not to go ahead with the claim.

Booking fee for what? Home visit? Accommodation in the Canary Islands to meet their consultants? Another new name which could be just another attempt to confuse timeshare owners about who they really are dealing with and also the Timeshare Resorts when they receive the request for relinquishment.

Both consumers and Timeshare Companies should take note of the name Checkmate Contract Services and be cautious when dealing with them. If you have been referred to Checkmate Contract Services or maybe have already spoken to them, we would like to know. You can email us at customercare@mindtimeshare.com or place a comment on this blog