Vacation rental scams can ruin a vacation

With summer just around the corner, last-minute vacation rental deals are going to be at the top of many vacationers’ lists. Our desire to find a vacation rental deal opens the door for con artists to run vacation rental scams by offering spectacular deals on properties that are definitely not “as advertised.”

How the vacation rental scams work

You may receive an email about unbeatable vacation deals or simply find the scammer’s website via an online search. The site will look legitimate and may even use names and logos from real hotels. It will include beautiful photos of properties and prices will be extremely low. The website’s sole purpose will be to sell you on the property.

[mckenna float=right]Once you’ve decided to rent his property, the scammer will ask you to send a deposit. He’ll most likely ask you to send the money via a nonrefundable form of payment, i.e., money order, Western Union, Green Dot MoneyPak, etc. When you arrive, the property will not be as advertised, if it exists at all or isn’t double booked.

Tips to avoid vacation rental scams

• First and foremost, always use a credit card for purchases of this type.
• After settling on a property—and before making any commitment—search for the name of the property and owner along with terms like complaint, review, and scam.
• If your vacation rental isn’t at a resort, check Google Maps to make sure the address exists. Try Google’s “street view” to see what the property really looks like. If there are any significant discrepancies, find another location.
• Get a confirmation from the property owner. For home rentals, legitimate owners will have a rental agreement. For B&Bs, hotels, etc., get an email confirmation. Either way, the confirmation should include a list of all possible charges. Be sure to read the payment deadlines and refund policy.

Everyone wants the best possible deal so their vacation dollars go as far as possible. However, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure your vacation is safe and hassle free.