Part 5: The Fight — Complaints and a Glimmer of Hope

After sending my complaint, I received an email back from the Attorney General’s Office letting me know they didn’t handle these types of cases, but that someone from Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. would be reaching out. A few days later, I got a call from a man named Ernie.

From the very first conversation, he actually listened. I told him how angry and disheartened I was—not just for what my family is going through, but for the millions of others trapped in the same cycle. I told him I wanted people to understand what they’re really signing up for, and I wanted families to have a fair way out once they’ve paid their “mortgage.”

After several follow-up calls, Ernie said he could help—for free. He explained that most people don’t even know councils like his exist, and instead hand thousands of dollars to exit companies that rarely follow through. Already, he’s sent a letter to our timeshare company on our behalf. It was professional, thorough, and—best of all—I didn’t have to retype it, reword it, or send it myself. He also advised me to file a complaint against the exit company for failing to uphold their end of the contract. So I did.

Because here’s the truth: these exit companies don’t actually do much “behind the scenes.” I recently emailed mine asking if we could just cancel the contract and walk away. No refund, no fight. I simply want them to stop “helping” us, and for us to stop paying for their services. We have a call with them next week.

And that’s where my story pauses—for now. What happens next is still being written.