Since they weren't able to vacation last year because of the pandemic, many people are gearing up for travel this year. The Better Business Bureau advises everyone to look carefully for vacation rental properties.
A BBB study conducted a few years ago found that 43% of online shoppers encountered fake listings for nonexistent vacation rentals. More than 5 million consumers lost money to them.
Crooks typically copy images and descriptions of legitimate listings, and provide their own contact information for the postings. Their goal is to receive a deposit and as much money as possible out of the unsuspecting victim before any red flags are raised. Always pay with a credit card to get the added fraud protection.
Anyone who asks for a wire transfer, cash, or a prepaid debit card as payment, is certainly a scammer. Remember that lots of people are traveling this summer, so if a deal looks too good to be true, it's likely a scam.
