Owners Dont be Scammed!

Scam artists pose as potential renters everyday on many different "by owner" websites. Why? Because it works! Learn to spot common warning signs of many rental scams.

Everyday individuals approach property owners using the internet via email posing as renters in an attempt to swindle unsuspecting owners out of large sums of money. These scams will continue as long as they fool a small portion of property owners. The best defense against rental schemes is to be informed and remain alert. It is important to know that Cashier's Checks, Money Orders, Certified Checks, as well as Personal Checks can all be forged. Scammers are very sophisticated and even some banks are fooled by forged documents, until they try to collect the funds.

There are several WARNING SIGNS that indicate that a rental inquiry may be a scam. Note that a fraudulent rental lead may exhibit only one or possibly none of these warning signs during the first contact. You may have several back and forth communications before you receive a warning sign. Below you will find the most common warning signs of scams.

1. WARNING SIGN: The potential renter's check comes from an underdeveloped or third world country but some are coming from developed countries as well. It can take a bank up to 8 weeks to verify funds from a check coming from a remote bank or account. Normally, a bank can verify funds from a check in about 2 weeks when it is coming from a developed country. There have been several recent accounts of this scam coming from developed countries in Europe also. Take precautions with all rental leads and remain alert! SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that their check must clear before they may rent your property.

2. WARNING SIGN: For whatever reason given, the potential renter wants to send you a check for a large sum of money in excess of the rent due. They may give one of the following reasons why they have this "suspiciously large" check to send: wedding gift, honeymoon, payment from a trust fund, bonus from their employer, or gift of another type. If you deposit this check they will ask you to wire the difference back to them immediately. You may be hounded and possibly threatened to return the excess funds. Keep in mind that a bad check may also be for the exact amount due. SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that you will only accept a check for the exact amount of the rent due and that their check must clear before they may rent your property.

3. WARNING SIGN: The renter wants to rent your property in the very near future, giving your bank and you less time to verify the funds from their check. SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that they must provide funds that clear the bank before they may rent your property.

4. WARNING SIGN: The renter would like to rent your property for an unusually long period of time compared to the average rental period of your other renters. The time of year requested may be an unusual time to rent a property in your area (not the normal season). This can be an indication that the individual is contacting many owners on a site indiscriminately. SOLUTION: Keep other warning signs in mind when replying to this individual.

5. WARNING SIGN: They may attempt to ease your suspicions by letting you know that they are a professional in their country?.Doctor, Scientist, etc. and might even provide you with an official sounding Company name to verify their employment. They may be offering TOO much information in hopes that you sympathize with them. SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that they must provide funds that clear the bank before they may rent your property.

6. WARNING SIGN: The funds they want use, will be coming from someone or somewhere else: a boss, business partner, or relative. Sometimes the check comes directly from them. SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that you will only accept a check for the amount of the rent and that their check must clear before they may rent your property.

7. WARNING SIGN: The renter would like to wire the money directly into your account. Don't ever give anyone personal information including bank account numbers or Social Security numbers unless you don't mind losing your identity! SOLUTION: Consult your bank and ask them for the best way to wire funds safely and economically.

8. WARNING SIGN: Their communication with you is poorly written, with several grammatical and spelling errors. In some cases it is difficult to figure out exactly what they are requesting. SOLUTION: Let the potential renter know that you will only accept a check for the exact amount of the rent due and that their check must clear before they may rent your property.

Owners experiencing one or more of these warning signs from a potential renter should proceed with caution. It is important to remember savvy scammers will make every effort to gain your trust. The warning sign(s) may arise after several contacts. We can help deter this criminal activity by sharing our knowledge with others. If we work together, these scams will not succeed.

http://www.ppbo.com
Paradise Properties by Owner

---

Earning Rental Income from a Gatlinburg Cabin

Gatlinburg has a small but thriving community of property owners.... Read More

Why The Vacation Home Sale Market Is Unsustainable

The rental market and Vacation Home sale market is unsustainable.... Read More

Seven Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Vacations

This may seem like a very strange title for an... Read More

A Guide to Punta Cana Beaches

Punta Cana Beaches are among the most beautiful in the... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #2: The Price is Right

When it comes to shopping for something on-line, we tend... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #5: Restrictions

It is a common assumption for most Americans that they... Read More

Vacation / Honeymoons 101 - Planning for Perfect Weather on Your Trip

Did you ever worry when traveling about the weather? Most... Read More

Looking Closely at Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages

Vacation packages are a great way for travelers to book... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #4: Before You Go

Many people believe that the first thing you should do... Read More

Come to Orlando and Vacation Like You Never Have Before in a Town Home!

Of course you are anxious to take a vacation this... Read More

A Guide to Cozumel Vacations

What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More

Pigeon Forge Hotels

Hotels are a large component of Pigeon Forge lodging. As... Read More

Vacation Rentals on Hilton Head Island

Each year, over two million people find their way to... Read More

Sussex County Delaware Beach Area Towns and Villages Are Unique and Historic

I love Sussex County Delaware. I am native born, multigenerational... Read More

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals

Gatlinburg cabin rental options range from old-fashioned rustic "log cabins"... Read More

Oceanside Vacations on Hilton Head Island

The largest barrier island on the Atlantic coast between New... Read More

Tips to Visit Valencia, a Lovely City of Spain

Valencia is the third city of Spain, by number of... Read More

Heres How: How To Get The Perfect Florida Condominium Rental

The typical scenario goes something like this: your casual mention... Read More

Vacationing with Children

Traveling with children will be a memorable event ? the... Read More

Finding Vacation Rentals in North Lake Tahoe

The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More

Vacationing in a Gatlinburg Cabin

For many decades Gatlinburg has been a favorite resort getaway... Read More

Chiang Mai Guesthouses - What To Expect

No visit to Thailand is complete without visiting the city... Read More

Looking For A Holiday With A Difference?

Fancy holidaying somewhere unusual? How about a 7 day tornado... Read More

Peru-Lima, Miraflores Vacation Rentals Deals

Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More

Pigeon Forge Cabins

Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist... Read More

Ten Cheap Vacations

Cheap vacations can still be relaxing, fun and whatever else... Read More

Washington, DC a Bargain Travel Guide

Welcome to Washington, DC - The nation's capital is a... Read More

Amazon Lodges

I had always been told that if you wanted to... Read More

Ormond Beach, FL: A Small Piece of Paradise

Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More

Is A Disneyland Vacation Right For You?

Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More

Townhouses ? Rooms for Rent for Every Family!

Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More

How to Have 25+ Romantic Honeymoon Trips a Year, for a Lower Cost Than the Price of One

As our wedding anniversary looms near... and this one will... Read More

Scottish Roadtrips -- Encountering Porridge with Salt and Other Dangers

Edinburgh and beyondRoadtrips around BritainIt's hard to overstate the poetry... Read More