It’s one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and scammers know that more and more people will be looking for last-minute accommodations. For many, the option of staying in a comfortable home or a cool rental is exciting as long as they don’t get tricked.
“I want my girls to look forward to going somewhere new every year,” said Diana Cruz, who is traveling for the holidays with her family. “Maybe go out there and make memories with them. To have those photos, those conversations that we can go back to for a lifetime.”
But a fun getaway could quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t do your own research before booking your accommodation.
“I’m really looking to see if it’s a legit website,” Cruz said. “I look for reviews, I make sure the reviews are up to date.”
Like Cruz, the first thing to do is read all the reviews. It also helps if you are on a legitimate site, instead of looking at social media posts.
“Don’t fall for wire transfers, Venmo payments, courier payments,” Cruz said. “Strictly go through the website to secure their payment. »
Many scams rely on social media advertising, with great photos and offers that seem too good to be true, all trying to trick you into thinking you’ve found the perfect place.
“Go through a secure payment method,” Cruz said. “If I have any questions, I contact the hotel or the host, to ensure that all questions or doubts are answered.”
Using sites like Travelocity or AirBnB can provide you with cancellation options and reduce your risk of falling for a scam. Also do a quick internet search for the business or property followed by the word “fraud” or “scam” to see if anyone has already reported it.
And if you end up paying for a fake listing, be sure to report it or write a notice to help alert other potential renters. You can also contact the state attorney general to report the listing as well.
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