Don’t let vacation rental scams ruin your getaway
As more people choose property rentals for vacation accommodations, scammers have found ways to take advantage of them. Con artists may post listings for properties they do not own, are not currently available, or that mislead the consumer with dishonest photos. Once you are interested in the property, scammers will claim they need a “security deposit” and make off with your money, leaving you without a place to stay. Often, victims don’t realize they’ve been scammed until weeks or months later once they arrive at their destination.
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers tips for avoiding vacation rental scams:
Start by searching on a reputable home sharing website or app.
Verify that companies are legitimate by searching for them at BBBHouston.org. Also be wary of following emailed links to home-sharing sites. It’s always best to type the URL into the address bar yourself or search your chosen company on the web to verify you aren’t accessing a convincing counterfeit site. Many reputable home-sharing companies vet the individuals who post their property for rent on their sites.
Confirm the legitimacy of the offer.
It’s easy to get excited about a beautiful vacation rental, but it’s best to take precautions before taking the plunge and reserving your stay. Confirm that the property exists by searching Google Maps or another mapping website or app. Conduct an online search on the owner’s name, the property address, and you can even do an image search to ensure the photos are not from a magazine or stolen from another listing. Asking for additional pictures of the property is another way to identify scammers.
Know what to expect.
It’s best to look at different listings before making a reservation or paying a deposit. By looking around, you can better establish a reasonable price for similar properties in the area. If you found the property via a home-sharing website, read their host policies as it may prevent them from requesting certain information or forms of payment. Get a copy of the contract and review it thoroughly before sending a deposit.
Read multiple reviews from previous property tenants.
Reputable home-sharing websites include user ratings and comments; some allow you to post questions for other users to answer. Also be on the lookout for misleading reviews that may be posted by the scammers. Look for reviews that include specifics about the user’s experience while at the rental.
There is no such thing as being too precautious.
Be a smart shopper; always think of ways to protect your wallet. Online payments should be made with a credit card because consumer protection laws allow you to recover your money if a purchase turns out to be a fraud. If something seems fishy, question it. Consider checking out the property in person or having a friend or relative go before paying a security deposit.
If you make the same trip annually, renting the same property each year could help you avoid possible scams on a new rental.