published: Friday, May 11, 2012

Women accused of bilking seniors

CLERMONT

Women accused of bilking seniors

Staff Report

A 30-year-old Clermont woman faces multiple charges for allegedly pocketing money from senior citizens trying to sell their timeshares.

Jennifer Bacon, 1632 East Ave., was charged with grand theft, exploitation of the elderly/disabled, unlicensed real estate activity, unlicensed telephone sales and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

According to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bacon was president of the Orlando-based RCIJB World Enterprise, which would cold-call residents claiming it had a buyer for their timeshares. The company would collect fees but never complete the sale, investigators said.

State records show Bacon was involved with another company at the exact same Orlando address -- RCI Worldwide Enterprise Inc. -- that also had "RCI" in the title, apparently trying to make people believe it was associated with RCI (Resort Condominiums Interna-tional), the largest timeshare vacation exchange network in the world.

One online blogger said Bacon claimed to be associated with RCI, so he called "and RCI couldn't verify that Jennifer Bacon works for the company and they have never heard or RCI Worldwide Enterprise Inc." He posted a warning about the company being "telemarket scammers."

The Better Business Bureau also issued an alert for RCI Worldwide Enterprise Inc.

"According to information in the BBB files, it appears that the company is no longer in business. The phone numbers the BBB had for this company are disconnected, and directory assistance does not have a listing for this company. The BBB's mail to this company has been returned as undeliverable. If you have an unresolved dispute with this company you may wish to seek legal advice," the agency said.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Carmen Rodriguez, 28, the registered owner and operator RCIJB World Enterprise, faces similar charges.