Education

BE CAREFUL WHEN LOOKING FOR A VACATION RENTAL

Are you thinking about renting a house or condo for your next vacation?

While these rentals can be a great way for families and friends to share time together, scammers use them for traps, so it’s important to do your homework.

Here are some tips to help guard against vacation rental scams:

• The Internet is a great resource to find a vacation rental, but be sure to use reputable websites.

• Be wary if there are few or no photos of the property.

When you find a rental you like:

• Be concerned if the price seems too good to be true.

• Look up the address to see if that property really exists.

• Try to find reviews from people who have previously rented the property.

• If possible, contact the owner by phone and ask them any questions you might have.

• Ask for a contract or rental agreement that specifies the address, price you’ll be paying, and confirms the dates you’ll be staying there. Be sure you know all of the costs before agreeing to anything.

• Pay with a credit card because it offers a higher level of fraud protection. Being asked to wire money or send cash can be a sign of a scam.

Remember, planning ahead and taking a few precautions can be the difference between a dream vacation and a nightmare.