Comments on: 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation rental scam http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-92453 Anonymous Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:29:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-92453 There is nothing worse than paying good money for a rental apartment, only to find it doesn´t exist. Always check the smallprint in any rental agreement and pay on arrival where possible. http://www.yourholidayclaims.co.uk/ There is nothing worse than paying good money for a rental apartment, only to find it doesn´t exist. Always check the smallprint in any rental agreement and pay on arrival where possible.

http://www.yourholidayclaims.co.uk/

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-92454 Anonymous Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:29:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-92454 There is nothing worse than paying good money for a rental apartment, only to find it doesn´t exist. Always check the smallprint in any rental agreement and pay on arrival where possible. http://www.yourholidayclaims.co.uk/ There is nothing worse than paying good money for a rental apartment, only to find it doesn´t exist. Always check the smallprint in any rental agreement and pay on arrival where possible.

http://www.yourholidayclaims.co.uk/

]]> By: cleaning Oahu http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-92297 cleaning Oahu Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:26:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-92297  Becoming a scam victim is really a bad experience. You lose a lot of money that is why you need to make a research before making any kind of deal online. Doing this will give you an assurance that the vacation rental that you will be choosing does really exist. When you do, you will just be enjoy the whole Hawaiian experience.  Becoming a scam victim is really a bad experience. You lose a lot of money that is why you need to make a research before making any kind of deal online. Doing this will give you an assurance that the vacation rental that you will be choosing does really exist. When you do, you will just be enjoy the whole Hawaiian experience.

]]> By: Dwilliams http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-88240 Dwilliams Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:50:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-88240 Vacation rentals of south florida is a scam.Once you give the deposit they jack the price up and then threaten you if you dont pay the much larger amount.Nice website but its all about ripping you off for your deposit mmoney. Vacation rentals of south florida is a scam.Once you give the deposit they jack the price up and then threaten you if you dont pay the much larger amount.Nice website but its all about ripping you off for your deposit mmoney.

]]> By: Timeshare rentals - airfare, hotels, car rental, backpacking, resorts, cruises, vacations, airplanes, international... - City-Data Forum http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-86231 Timeshare rentals - airfare, hotels, car rental, backpacking, resorts, cruises, vacations, airplanes, international... - City-Data Forum Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:29:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-86231 [...] website, Ive used. You can get good deals. Just becareful, Spammer are everywhere. Warning/Advise 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation rental scam Vacation rental scams are a growing [...] [...] website, Ive used. You can get good deals. Just becareful, Spammer are everywhere. Warning/Advise 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation rental scam Vacation rental scams are a growing [...]

]]> By: Matt http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-62812 Matt Sat, 05 Feb 2011 01:48:46 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-62812 Follow up here... GREAT suggestion checking via property taxes.. Found the taxes listing, found the property manager and verified the owner of the unit. Now i just have to get him on the phone. THANKS! Follow up here… GREAT suggestion checking via property taxes.. Found the taxes listing, found the property manager and verified the owner of the unit. Now i just have to get him on the phone. THANKS!

]]> By: Matt http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-62809 Matt Sat, 05 Feb 2011 01:20:30 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-62809 Has anyone actually collected on a VRBO scam? I'm looking at an exclusive place on the beach that the owner is offering @ ~100/night cheaper than everyone else. The rental for 10 nights goes for 4k$ and he wants 1k$ up front in a check. Doesn't take credit cards or paypal. The check up front part set off my alarms. Any advice? Has anyone actually collected on a VRBO scam? I’m looking at an exclusive place on the beach that the owner is offering @ ~100/night cheaper than everyone else. The rental for 10 nights goes for 4k$ and he wants 1k$ up front in a check. Doesn’t take credit cards or paypal. The check up front part set off my alarms. Any advice?

]]> By: Holidays in London - Update#3: FRAUDS & SCAMS: Read Before You Rent — SCAMS! (London) £60 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-47223 Holidays in London - Update#3: FRAUDS & SCAMS: Read Before You Rent — SCAMS! (London) £60 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:25:32 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-47223 [...] One woman, who rented a vacaton condo in San Franciso from another posting, wired almost $2000, only to arrive in the city and find her dream accommodation did not exist: http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/ [...] [...] One woman, who rented a vacaton condo in San Franciso from another posting, wired almost $2000, only to arrive in the city and find her dream accommodation did not exist: http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/ [...]

]]> By: Jim Morrison http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-46205 Jim Morrison Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:24:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-46205 this is an informative site. We had good luck with VRBO (Vacation rentals by Owner) a number of times, but just came back from a very disappointing trip to Vancouver, BC, Canada. The house had someone living in the basement that they didn't tell us about. The house keeping was deplorable. Hair, bugs, you name it. We cut our trip short. The house was old and in poor condition and there was no egress from the upper floor other than an unprotected stairway. The problem is that if you book something and it doesn't work out you are in trouble if there are not other places to stay available. I guess VRBO offers insurance, but it is just money back for your rental, not a place to stay in a strange place with no where to sleep. Warning: Do not book a VRBO rental without seeing it first, or having someone recommend it. this is an informative site. We had good luck with VRBO (Vacation rentals by Owner) a number of times, but just came back from a very disappointing trip to Vancouver, BC, Canada. The house had someone living in the basement that they didn’t tell us about. The house keeping was deplorable. Hair, bugs, you name it. We cut our trip short. The house was old and in poor condition and there was no egress from the upper floor other than an unprotected stairway. The problem is that if you book something and it doesn’t work out you are in trouble if there are not other places to stay available. I guess VRBO offers insurance, but it is just money back for your rental, not a place to stay in a strange place with no where to sleep. Warning: Do not book a VRBO rental without seeing it first, or having someone recommend it.

]]> By: David Roberts http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-37785 David Roberts Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:48:04 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-37785 As the owner of a rental cabin I can tell you that there are a few basics that renters can follow to keep from getting scammed: Talk to the owner, scammers don't like to do this. Is there a website, look up the domain? Most scammers do not keep a web site, it is too easy to trace. If they have a website it will be scant and the domain ownership will be blocked from view. You do not have to go through a management company to keep from getting scammed. Nor will going through a management company keep you from getting scammed. Scammers rarely take credit cards, again, too easy to trace. Look up the address with the state property tax assessment records, in Tennessee and most states you can look up an address and get the owners name and a lot of other info. Also keep in mind that there are always people trying to scam us owners so don't be offended when we ask for proof of identity and other things. As the owner of a rental cabin I can tell you that there are a few basics that renters can follow to keep from getting scammed:
Talk to the owner, scammers don’t like to do this.
Is there a website, look up the domain? Most scammers do not keep a web site, it is too easy to trace. If they have a website it will be scant and the domain ownership will be blocked from view.
You do not have to go through a management company to keep from getting scammed. Nor will going through a management company keep you from getting scammed.
Scammers rarely take credit cards, again, too easy to trace.
Look up the address with the state property tax assessment records, in Tennessee and most states you can look up an address and get the owners name and a lot of other info.

Also keep in mind that there are always people trying to scam us owners so don’t be offended when we ask for proof of identity and other things.

]]> By: Kalpesh http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-34199 Kalpesh Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:19:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-34199 I always go through http://www.vacationrentalpros.com for my most of florida trip. They are the property management company so all the vacation rental property managed by them. They have very fancy calender with availability of property or pet allowed vacation rentals. I always go through http://www.vacationrentalpros.com for my most of florida trip. They are the property management company so all the vacation rental property managed by them. They have very fancy calender with availability of property or pet allowed vacation rentals.

]]> By: Vacation home rentals: something to consider : Carrying On Colorado http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-27040 Vacation home rentals: something to consider : Carrying On Colorado Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:19:03 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-27040 [...] Elliott offers two savvy blog postings worth checking out, one on vacation home rentals that are cheap alternatives to hotels; the other 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation home rental scam. [...] [...] Elliott offers two savvy blog postings worth checking out, one on vacation home rentals that are cheap alternatives to hotels; the other 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation home rental scam. [...]

]]> By: Thomas Kosich http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-20680 Thomas Kosich Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:55:35 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-20680 Beware of TLC Mt Hood Cabin / VRBO # 151752 This cabin is listed as exquisite, reality is fair AT BEST...beware of dishonest owner as he will hold your deposit hostage upon departure. I have rented from VRBO over 12 times in the last year and never had a problem until I made the mistake of renting from this owner. Do yourself a favor and rent another property in Mt Hood / Goverment Camp, this owner is dishonest! Beware of TLC Mt Hood Cabin / VRBO # 151752

This cabin is listed as exquisite, reality is fair AT BEST…beware of dishonest owner as he will hold your deposit hostage upon departure. I have rented from VRBO over 12 times in the last year and never had a problem until I made the mistake of renting from this owner.

Do yourself a favor and rent another property in Mt Hood / Goverment Camp, this owner is dishonest!

]]> By: Karen C http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-17756 Karen C Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:29:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-17756 Be on the watch for this phone number: (206)-309-7174 and this address: 276 S Bender Ave, Humble, Texas, 77396 They are advertising properties that DO NOT belong to them & collecting deposits via Western Union. We accidentally found 2 of our properties advertised on forgetaway.com (The Weather Channel) that we did not place. When we inquired about the property (ours) we were told to wire funds to that Western Union account. BOGUS Our suggestion is not to use any of the vacation rental assistance websites. Go only through licensed property managers & real estate agents. Be on the watch for this phone number:

(206)-309-7174

and this address:

276 S Bender Ave,
Humble, Texas, 77396

They are advertising properties that DO NOT belong to them & collecting deposits via Western Union.

We accidentally found 2 of our properties advertised on forgetaway.com (The Weather Channel) that we did not place. When we inquired about the property (ours) we were told to wire funds to that Western Union account. BOGUS

Our suggestion is not to use any of the vacation rental assistance websites. Go only through licensed property managers & real estate agents.

]]> By: proud_bay_man http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-to-avoiding-a-vacation-rental-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-15820 proud_bay_man Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:07:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5209#comment-15820 Just to let you know in the City of San Francisco, vacation rentals in a residential area are illegal if they are less than 30 days. Please call Lois Scott at the Planning and Zoning Department on the sf.gov site and report them. These people are in for a rude awakening. Please flag these ads on Craigslist! Simply do a search for your neighborhood in the "Vacation Rentals" section under housing. If you are nowhere near a hotel or a motel or a business district, please take a screen shot of the ad for evidence and report it. Just to let you know in the City of San Francisco, vacation rentals in a residential area are illegal if they are less than 30 days. Please call Lois Scott at the Planning and Zoning Department on the sf.gov site and report them. These people are in for a rude awakening. Please flag these ads on Craigslist! Simply do a search for your neighborhood in the “Vacation Rentals” section under housing. If you are nowhere near a hotel or a motel or a business district, please take a screen shot of the ad for evidence and report it.

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