Please Beware of Internet Vacation Rental Scams
The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) posted on the Town of Ocean City website an article cautioning OC visitors to beware of online booking and rental scams. While original the article dates back to January, 2014 the information is valid today.
…the Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens to be cautious while using the internet to search for Ocean City vacation rentals. While popular websites can be a valuable tool in finding reasonable vacation rentals, consumers need to beware of scammers who are posing as property owners.
Original source: Town of Ocean City website.
Some of the most consistent “red flags” associated with rental scams are demonstrated through poor grammar, spelling errors, poor capitalization and punctuation on any online material. In addition, if a vacation rental owner does not accept credit cards as a form of payment, they should almost always accept a personal check. Most scammers will only take cashier’s checks or ask money to be wired to a specific account. Lastly, you should be cautious of a property owner who is hesitant or unwilling to provide additional information in regards to the rental property, such as amenities or photographs.
As a renter you should take additional steps to assure the owner and rental properties are legitimate. There are several tips you should remember to avoid being a victim of an online rental scam. First, do not wire money to a suspected landlord and remember, regardless how convincing the tale, make sure the person renting the house to you actually owns it. Also, verify where you will go and who you will see to pick up the rental key. Make sure that the person and location is valid. Finally, if you have any suspicious concerns, follow your instinct. Even if you have to pay a fee, you are often safer dealing with a licensed real estate agent.
For safety’s sake, it may be best to stick with using a large, well-established booking website. Check out the well-known Booking.com to see what they have to offer in hotel reservations and vacation rentals.
