By the Better Business Bureau
Most people know that the best travel and vacation deals are found when you finalize your reservations as early as possible. Scammers know this too, and this is likely the reason why since the start of 2019, the Better Business Bureau has received 91 reports on Scam Tracker from across North America, with over $22.6 million lost.
In light of this, BBB is warning the public to be wary of travel and vacation scams, particularly those encountered on social media platforms, online pop-up advertisements and unsolicited phone calls. Consumers should also be wary of timeshare offers and opportunities to rent or purchase vacation properties.
BBB offers these tips to help avoid timeshare and vacation rental scams:
Timeshares and vacation rentals are a great way to travel and have the comforts of home. However, scammers love to take advantage of vacationers by making false promises and creating a sense of urgency to fool them into paying for something that doesn’t exist. Con artists post listings for properties that either aren’t for rent, don’t exist, or are significantly different than pictured. They then lure in vacationers with the promise of low fees and great amenities. Typically, the “owner” creates a false sense of urgency – maybe another vacationer is interested in the rental – to get you to pay up before doing sufficient research.
To avoid this scam, talk with the owner. If you are not using a service that verifies properties and owners, do not negotiate a rental solely by email. Many scammers don’t live locally, so get the owner on the phone and ask detailed questions about the property and local attractions. An owner with vague answers to your questions is a clear red flag.
Investigate on Google or another search engine. Look up the address and use Google Street View to confirm the property matches the one advertised. Also, verify distances to beaches, attractions and airports while on the site.
Look for reviews and ask for references. Don’t forget to check bbb.org and other online reviews. Some vacation rental websites provide an opportunity to rate the rental property as well as the owner or property manager. If the property doesn’t have any online reviews, ask for references and call them. Listen for vague answers, which could indicate the reference is simply a friend of the scammer.
Don’t wire money or use a prepaid debit card. You should never pay for a vacation rental by prepaid debit card or wire transfer. These payments are the same as sending cash. Once you send the money, you have no way to get it back. That’s why scammers depend upon these forms of payment. Paying with a credit card is your best bet to avoid being out money because of a shady vacation rental. If your rental ends up being a scam, you can dispute the charge and dramatically limit your liability.
Beware if it seems too good to be true. Scammers lure in targets by guaranteeing sales or promising vacation rentals at low prices. Do your research. If the listing you are considering is much cheaper than others in the area, be suspicious. In general, free online ad services are also going to be more risky than a site with fraud protection features.
For the full article, visit www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16913-bbb-tip-travel-and-vacation-scams
BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston contributed to this article.
