Home sharing between owners of residences in tourist destinations around the world and their renters have become common nowadays, but so are the "Cyber thieves" too. These online realty thieves create fraudulent listings and run away with the money of those who booked and paid for these supposed vacation rentals.
Here are some tips on how you can ensure that your holiday will happen the way you longed and dreamed it to be.
1. Be careful with your source. Some legitimate property owners may opt to advertise for free to save on cost, but be careful when going through these free listings. A live representative may be sought for the legitimacy check.
2. Don't be deceived by the nice presentation. The images shown by these thieves may be gotten directly from legitimate websites or Photoshopped to attract potential renters. Ask for more photos or take advantage of technology, use Skype or Facetime to see the property live. You may also use apps such as Google Earth and Google's Street View to verify if the property is really found at its given address.
3. Be wary of cheap offers. Know the prevailing market pricing for rentals in your chosen destination. A good deal will surely be that tempting, but as in any transaction that goes way below the standard price, its possibility of being a scam may not be far behind.
4. Confirm legitimacy and review the contract carefully. Check if the name of the owner appearing on the lease is the same name appearing on public property appraiser records. You may also ask a lawyer to review the lease.
5. Avoid paying in cash. Scammers prefer cash or cash-transfers such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Use your credit card instead, as major companies such as Visa, American Express and Mastercard allow recovery of money lost to fraud. A reputable site such as Airbnb may also be resorted to.
6. Read comments posted regarding the place and get recommendations from other people. Reviews and feedback from past renters which appear on sites such as VRBO and Airbnb are reliable. You may ask questions to these users. Likewise, if you will be visiting a place for the first time, you may seek suggestions and advice from loved ones and friends who have gone to that place already.
7. Don't be in a hurry. For long vacations, you may check-in in a hotel for some days to have the chance to personally see the house you intend to rent.
8. Go to your trusted agent. While seeking their services may entail additional cost on your part, you can at least be assured of legitimate listings, and they can also check for you the property you were eyeing on the internet.
9. Be a regular renter. Once you like a house and have established a good relationship with its owner, then you can go back there every time you are visiting that destination.
10. Report the fraud. Immediately report your experience so that others will not become victims anymore.
