Vacation scams are unfortunately all too common. The timeshare industry certainly isn’t averse to them, but people seem to find other ways to steal the hard-earned money of eager vacationers and travelers.

With the rise of vacation rentals and the ubiquitous online services designed to connect property owners with renters, a new type of scam is forming. The Better Business Bureau is now warning consumers of vacation rental scams and how they can avoid being ripped off by false advertising.

General Signs of a Vacation Rental Scam

According to the BBB, there are several things you need to be aware of when looking to book vacation rentals:

1. The Photos. It’s not uncommon for vacation rental scammers to steal photos from a far nicer property to use as their own. This draws in innocent travelers and tricks them into thinking the rental is a steal. Since vacation rentals have become so convenient and relatively anonymous, demanding a refund for false advertising can be difficult, if not impossible. So, if the property photos seem too good to be true, they probably are.
2. No Verbal Communication. Another dead giveaway of a vacation rental scam is the owner’s unwillingness to speak over the phone. In today’s world, it’s common to handle as many things as possible electronically. However, a scammer will take advantage of this—it is much easier to mislead people through emails and texts. To avoid a rental scam, call the property’s owner with questions about the rental. This will help determine if they are genuinely seeking to do business with you.
3. Cash or Wire Payments. This is perhaps the cardinal rule of booking vacation accommodations. If a property owner asks for you to send them cash or to wire a payment to them, it is almost certainly fraud. If this happens, cut off communication with them immediately and resume your search for another property. Always pay by reliable, modern means such as a credit card.

How to Avoid Vacation Rental Scams

Of course, there’s a very easy way to avoid vacation rental scams altogether—look for other solutions. Part of the draw of vacation rentals is their convenience and the new, unorthodox method they provide for finding a place to stay. As more and more people turn away from hotel rooms and towards property rentals, more scammers are likely to follow.

One solution that may work for worried travelers is timeshare rentals. This accommodation method is almost exactly like vacation rentals, but with no risk of fraud. You can rent luxury villas and penthouse suites at five-star resorts for extremely affordable prices. While timeshare units are rented out by owners, all rentals have to go through the resort’s front desk, meaning there’s an added sense of security when it comes to scams.

What’s more, you won’t be simply crashing at a stranger’s house for a week—you’ll be staying in a professionally managed vacation resort that comes with a wide range of amenities and services to make you more comfortable during your stay.

If you’re interested in finding a convenient, low cost, and above average place to stay on your trip, don’t risk being scammed! Check out our timeshare rental inventory right here on SellMyTimeshareNow.com and book online today!