Renters don't be scammed! Be Aware and Alert!
Scam artists can pose as owners on "by owner" websites.
Why? Because they want your money!
How can you be sure you are dealing with the property owner?
Read on and learn some questions to ask any owner.
Keep in mind that all of these questions were provided by the owners on PPBO.com.
Any Honest Vacation Rental Property Owner will be more than happy to give you any information they can to help you. Knowledge is your best defense to protect you from scams. Owners will be happy you asked for this information, and scammers will act offended or confused about what you are requesting. All owners on PPBO are aware that you will have these questions.
- DO
get the owner’s phone number and talk with them in person.
DON’T just rely on email! Email is anonymous.
- DO
ask “What information can you provide me that will prove
this is your rental property?”
- DO
ask the owner for several past renter references that you may
contact. Sanibel
Blue Lagoon
has only been a Vacation Rental for 5 months since this webpage was
written, yet the owner’s can provide you with 14 renter
references already. A scammer might provide a couple references
that could be more of their own email addresses.
- DO
a Google Search of the owner’s name and their email address.
- DO
obtain any phone numbers for property associations, condo management
offices or home owners associations. Call to see if the owner name
matches the property.
- DO
ask for a copy of a bill for the property such as the phone, cable,
insurance, electric, lawn, or pool bill that will lists the owner at
the rental property address. Many owners can also send a copy of
their business license. Keep in mind that licenses are not required
in all areas.
- DO
ask for the local Government website that lists tax records,
property appraisal, or property ownership information. In Lee
County Florida this website would be http://www.leepa.org/
- DO
ask if the owner is a member of their local Chamber of Commerce, or
Visitor’s Bureau and call to verify.
- DO
check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints about this
property owner.
- DO
ask if the person owns the property to verify that it is not a
Sub-Let.
- DO
ask for the owner’s personal address and phone number. In the
US the white pages can be used to verify this information
www.411web.com
.
- DO
ask for the phone number of the property management group, pool
service, lawn or cleaning service to verify ownership.
DO
ask the owner about local area attractions and recommendations.
They should know the area well.
DON’T
make payments using anonymous wire transfers. There’s always
time to overnight a check.
DON’T
rent a property without obtaining some of the information above.
At
Paradise
Properties by Owner,
we are disgusted by this fraudulent activity and will do everything
in our power to prevent it. Knowledge is your best defense. We have
been in touch with the United
States Secret Service
and several banks to seek their advice. We also thank the many honest
owners who have helped us compile this valuable information.
If
you feel that a property on PPBO.com
has been posted by a scammer, please contact
us
and provide the listing ID.
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