Things to look for to avoid a rental scam
Don't fall for vacation rental scams! Here are some tips you will want to take into consideration while dealing with a landlord:
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Do NOT pay with cash.
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Do NOT send a wire transfer, Western Union, Moneygram or equivalent because that is the equivalent of sending cash and you can't get it back.
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Do NOT deal with anyone from Nigeria; and generally be cautious if dealing with someone out of the country. We have a few legitimate homeowners outside of the U.S. When in doubt, contact us to inquire whether the individual is considered trustworthy.
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Paying by credit card is the safest options since credit cards protect you from fraud.
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Even when paying via paypal you can elect to use a credit card to make the payment.
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If they request payment by Check, verify the recipient's address is the same as the payee's address. If necessary, request a copy of their driver's license be texted or emailed.
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If it is too good to be true it should be a red flag. Some scammers tend to post fake photos of really nice properties for a price that is under the norm. Be wary.
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Request a contract for the rental.
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Verify that the payee is the same person that is on the listing
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The contract should list the address of the property. Verify that the property exists by checking the following:
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Google Map search the address and make sure there is a home at that address.
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Search public records and verify the homeowner is the same person you are dealing with. If not, request additional information that would legitimize the person you are in contact with as being authorized to rent that property.
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If the property is in a resort, contact the front desk and verify that the owner is the same person that is requesting money.
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When in doubt, report the listing to us by contacting us. We are proactive in doing due diligence on any red flags.
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Look for comments. Quality rentals have many good comments and CAN be a sign that the rental is legitimate.
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Report any scams to the FTC: https://ftc.gov/complaint.
At the end of the day you want to verify that the person you are paying for the rental is the same person that, created the listing and is on the contract. Because their information is on the contract there should be no hesitation if you request a copy of a driver's license to verify their information.
While these tips can help you avoid a scam, it is not a comprehensive list to 100% avoid a scam so follow your instincts and if you feel like something is wrong, alert us and run in the opposite direction. You can also review the advice given by the FTC here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2014/10/avoid-vacation-property-rental-scam .
As a listing service we are not responsible for any contractual or financial transactions between the homeowner and ther person renting a property.