By now you know that booking owner direct is the surest way to get the best deal. However, you are scared and don’t want to take the risk of getting scammed. I totally get it! I remember the time when we almost fell for a fake ad. It was for a last minute trip, and I found the ad on Craigslist. Our first clue was the price was just too good to be true. The second was he wanted to meet us at the door with the keys. (I had visions of us waiting at the door, bags in hands and nobody there to greet us!) Additional clues followed once we took a closer look, and ultimately we were able to track down the real owner who confirmed that it was in fact a scam. (He also said that their resort (Honua Kai) was often targeted by foreign scammers.)
The fact that you are scared (and reading this article) is a good thing. It’s the naïve ones that don’t know it happens or don’t believe it could happen to them that get into trouble. Please don’t pay the ridiculous booking fees on VRBO or Airbnb just for the “safety” the sites provide. There are other ways…
So how do I avoid getting scammed?
Be sure to do your research on the property and connect with the owner before you provide the deposit. Does the unit have a property website with calendar and booking feature? Facebook page? Reviews? Can you connect with the owner on LinkedIn? Scammers don’t have the time to set up a website or Facebook page for a fake vacation rental (After creating ours for Anthurium House, I know it’s not easy!). They move fast from one property to another and usually just steal a photo or two off of the real website and throw together an ad (typos are another clue as English is not the first language of many scammers). If the vacation rental has these things and a posted phone number, you are most likely working with the owner or a property manager.
Most property owners that handle their own bookings are passionate about the area they bought in and will take the time to give you advice and have a conversation with you. Ask for a list of their favorite restaurants and beaches or even ask to chat on the phone.
SECRET: Still nervous about booking owner direct? Go to the Maui Tax Assessor’s website and type the last name of the person claiming to be the “owner.” The name should match the property address. Note that not all names match as people hold title in different ways (i.e., trust, spouse’s name or maiden name) so if it doesn’t match, feel free to ask the owner what name the property is listed under.
Finally, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and do your research! Avoid Craigslist postings as scams are frequent and never pay by wire transfer.
Have you ever discovered a rental scam? If so, please provide the details in the comments below so others can learn from your experience.
