Avoid Scam Vacation Rentals by Following These Tips

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Nothing can ruin your holiday quicker than coming to your vacation rental and figuring out that it’s nothing like advertised. The accommodation might be smaller than you expected, lack amenities you figured were part of the deal, or be outright fake.

Scam vacation rentals have been on the rise in recent years, thanks to popular online rental services that make it easier for scammers to present their listings much better than they really are. If you want to avoid falling for one of these listings, follow the tips below.

Avoid “Too Good to Be True” Listings

When you find a perfect vacation rental below the price market, you might think that you had luck. But in most cases, if it is “too good to be true,” it probably isn’t true. Do your research, compare it with other similar listings, and you’ll get a pretty good idea of its authenticity.

Always Read the Description

You would be surprised how many people just look at the photos and don’t bother to carefully read the description. The description might contain some clues that will help you determine if the rental is not as good as it looks in the photos.

Dive Into the Reviews

If you zero in on a vacation rental you like, don’t skip the reviews section. The more reviews there are, the safer you will feel about your choice. Also, you will be able to learn some unflattering sides of the rental that might prompt you to decide whether there are better options out there.

Never Use Outside Payment Services

One major red flag is if the host is offering you a “lower price” if you skip the rental platforms like AirBnB and pay through wire transfer or other outside payment services. This will make it harder for you to get a refund if the place isn’t what it seems.

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