Avoiding Vacation Rental Scams on Craigslist
AuthorKimberly Kaufell-Gilbert, The vacation rental scam 'industry' is big business and doesn't look to be getting any better, anytime soon. It’s such an epidemic, that if you become a victim of a vacation rental scam, sadly you’ll get little sympathy from local authorities, but rather the ‘you should have known better’ look. |
Do you know how to spot a Vacation Rental Scammer?
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So rather than being a victim yourself, read on and see how Craigslist vacation rental scams work and the best way to protect yourself from a vacation rental scam.
First, let me start off by saying that anyone can get scammed - even those who think it will never happen to them, guess what, it can. Scammers are getting savvier at knowing what works to get your money. That is why, we as consumers have to stay ahead of the game and know what to be on the lookout for.
First, let me start off by saying that anyone can get scammed - even those who think it will never happen to them, guess what, it can. Scammers are getting savvier at knowing what works to get your money. That is why, we as consumers have to stay ahead of the game and know what to be on the lookout for.
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As I mentioned, anyone can get scammed, but there are 'those' individuals that are more likely to be a victim of a vacation rental scam. So you're asking yourself, who are 'those' individuals who are more likely to get scammed? Well, I like to call them "Last Minute Sally's (LMS's)". |
LMS's are those who decide to travel on a whim or those who took the time off of work, knew where they wanted to go, but didn't plan anything and now with their vacation only a month away, are scrambling to put plans in order. People who travel on a whim or don't allot the needed time to plan and research their vacation are more susceptible to being a victim of a vacation rental scam.
Why are LMS's more susceptible to becoming a victim?
Because they are desperate and desperation breeds gullibility with all common sense going out the window.
Just because LMS decided to travel on a whim or has done absolutely no advanced planning, doesn't mean that everyone else did the same thing. Those who plan for a vacation, by doing their research and making plans early, have already lined up the best vacation rental homes. Sadly, when LMS goes looking for their perfect vacation rental house, they can't figure out why they're having no luck or why everything is so expensive - they've called all the local rental agencies, checked Homeaway/VRBO, Flipkey, AVROA, AirBnB and still nothing with the amenities they need or in their price range. So what to do now?
Along comes Craigslist to the rescue!
"It's incredible, I've hit the jackpot! After all my failed attempts on those other websites, I have finally found a mecca of amazing cheap vacation rental properties on Craigslist", says LMS.
Remember, desperation breeds gullibility! Craigslist is the #1 online platform for scammers to use to list their fake vacation rental properties.
Why are LMS's more susceptible to becoming a victim?
Because they are desperate and desperation breeds gullibility with all common sense going out the window.
Just because LMS decided to travel on a whim or has done absolutely no advanced planning, doesn't mean that everyone else did the same thing. Those who plan for a vacation, by doing their research and making plans early, have already lined up the best vacation rental homes. Sadly, when LMS goes looking for their perfect vacation rental house, they can't figure out why they're having no luck or why everything is so expensive - they've called all the local rental agencies, checked Homeaway/VRBO, Flipkey, AVROA, AirBnB and still nothing with the amenities they need or in their price range. So what to do now?
Along comes Craigslist to the rescue!
"It's incredible, I've hit the jackpot! After all my failed attempts on those other websites, I have finally found a mecca of amazing cheap vacation rental properties on Craigslist", says LMS.
Remember, desperation breeds gullibility! Craigslist is the #1 online platform for scammers to use to list their fake vacation rental properties.
Why Craigslist is the Perfect Online Platform for Scammers:
- It is free to add a Craigslist Vacation Rental listing - so scammers will add 50 listings a day, everyday - after all, this is a scammers full-time job, so they are relentless. Unlike VRBO or Homeaway, where legitimate owners have to pay to have their property listed, anyone can add a vacation rental listing to Craigslist.
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Last Minute Sally Still in Denial
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How Craigslist Vacation Rental Scams Work - What to Know
Con-artists pick the most highly sought after vacation spots to target their thieving practices. Hot vacation destinations like Key West, San Diego, Hawaii, San Francisco and Lake Tahoe are big business for scammers.
Why do these vacation areas attract the scammers?
Because the vacation rental properties in these areas/municipalities are highly regulated.
To clarify with an example, in Key West, Florida, any homeowner can legally rent their property for a month or longer. To legally rent for less than a month (i.e. 7 nights), Key West vacation rental properties are required to have a transient license. A transient license is not something a homeowners can buy or apply for, it comes with the property. Therefore, there are a very limited number of vacation rental properties in Key West that travelers can legally rent short term.
Do you see where this is going?:
Low Inventory of Legal Vacation Rentals + High Demand Area = $$$ for Scammers
Peak Times vary depending on the vacation area. In Key West for example, peak times are January thru March. However, there are other popular times that scammers love and that is July and August. Scammers love July and August because they know this is family vacation time and families are usually on budgets, hence looking for inexpensive vacation rentals.
Low Inventory of Legal Vacation Rentals + High Demand Area + Peak Times = $$$$$$$ for Scammers
So now you understand why certain vacation areas, during peak times are big targets. Now lets discuss how to know if a Craigslist Vacation Rental is legitimate or a scam.
In my opinion, from dealing with the aftermath of victims who were scammed on Craigslist, over half of the Key West vacation rental properties on Craigslist are fraudulent or not legal transient rentals.
The list below is just a tiny snippet of the fraudulent listings for Vacation Rental properties on Craigslist. Where in Key West can you rent any vacation rental property for $100, $200 a night? It doesn't exist - I know you may wish it existed, but rest assured, it does not.
Why do these vacation areas attract the scammers?
Because the vacation rental properties in these areas/municipalities are highly regulated.
To clarify with an example, in Key West, Florida, any homeowner can legally rent their property for a month or longer. To legally rent for less than a month (i.e. 7 nights), Key West vacation rental properties are required to have a transient license. A transient license is not something a homeowners can buy or apply for, it comes with the property. Therefore, there are a very limited number of vacation rental properties in Key West that travelers can legally rent short term.
Do you see where this is going?:
Low Inventory of Legal Vacation Rentals + High Demand Area = $$$ for Scammers
Peak Times vary depending on the vacation area. In Key West for example, peak times are January thru March. However, there are other popular times that scammers love and that is July and August. Scammers love July and August because they know this is family vacation time and families are usually on budgets, hence looking for inexpensive vacation rentals.
Low Inventory of Legal Vacation Rentals + High Demand Area + Peak Times = $$$$$$$ for Scammers
So now you understand why certain vacation areas, during peak times are big targets. Now lets discuss how to know if a Craigslist Vacation Rental is legitimate or a scam.
In my opinion, from dealing with the aftermath of victims who were scammed on Craigslist, over half of the Key West vacation rental properties on Craigslist are fraudulent or not legal transient rentals.
The list below is just a tiny snippet of the fraudulent listings for Vacation Rental properties on Craigslist. Where in Key West can you rent any vacation rental property for $100, $200 a night? It doesn't exist - I know you may wish it existed, but rest assured, it does not.
A snippet of fraudulent Key West Vacation Rentals on Craigslist.
How This Scam Works: Scammers steal photos and the verbiage of legitimate rental properties directly from vacation rental sites like VRBO (or from Real Estate sites) and then put them on Craigslist, passing the property off as their own.
During a travelers on-line search, they find a great vacation rental house on Craigslist and it’s available for only $150/per night (BTW, when it sounds too good to be true, it is). Traveler contacts the ‘owner’ on Craigslist and is told they do not accept Credit Cards or Checks, but Traveler must send a Wire Transfer or Money Order to them (Wire Transfers & Money Orders are unstoppable and untraceable - traveler has no way of ever getting their money back). When you wire transferred money or sent a money order, you were sending it to the thieves, not the legitimate property owner. While Money Orders and Wire Transfers are the most common way of scamming travelers out to their money, PayPal has also been used and should be avoided.
You should also understand that it is very likely, that the scammer you talked to on the phone is not even in the United States. Most of the time, that local number you are calling is from a burner cell phone - you could likely be talking to a con-artist in Nigeria. Ask yourself, do they have a heavy accent? Speak poor English? or try and rush you off the phone? - ALL 3 ARE RED FLAGS!
So What's the 100% Guaranteed Way to Avoid Being Scammed on Craigslist with a Vacation Rental?
#1: Don't use Craigslist to find a vacation rental!
There are so many other viable online platforms to utilize to help find a vacation rental, why take a chance with Craigslist. My advice to you, avoid using Craigslist to find a vacation rental property.
Other ways to protect yourself:
- As much as I am NOT a fan of booking sites, like VRBO/Homeway, AirBnB, FlipKey etc., that charge travelers these ridiculous booking fees, I think they do have merit. When looking at a vacation rental, look at the reviews - look at properties that have a lot of good reviews.
- Call and speak directly with the owner (yes, pick up the phone and call the owner), ask specific questions about the rental property. A legitimate owner, will want to talk with you and answer your questions. If you feel like you are being rushed off the phone or their answers are short and not very descriptive, move on!
- ALWAYS pay with a Credit Card, NEVER send a Money Order or do a Wire Transfer
- Lastly, always listen to that little voice in your head!
So there you have it folks, hopefully you have a better understanding of how this Vacation Rental Scam works. If you are reading this and you have any additional advice, please by all means feel free to leave a comment below, I am sure we can all benefit.
Namaste!
Key West Oasis is a legal transient Key West Vacation Rental with private pool.
Resources: For those looking for a Key West Vacation Rental, make sure the listing is legal by visiting the Key West Chamber of Commerce
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