usvi-on-line
Warning: VRBO Bookings
Seriously excellent public service -- thanks so much for sharing! I use VRBO frequently, and like you, I wouldn't have thought twice about wiring money for a vacation rental.
For all, some great advice from the Washington Post article someone mentioned above:
For all, some great advice from the Washington Post article someone mentioned above:
"...the best way to guarantee a great vacation would be to follow one simple rule: Never, ever wire money. Once you hit “send,” it’s as good as gone."
There is a reason (several actually) why wiring money in the US is not popular - but one of them is recoverability. If you sent it, it is gone - and unfortunately I don't think anyone is going to make you whole.
My advice (as someone who has been doing Internet commerce from day one) is to always ALWAYS A L W A Y S - use a credit card. If you get burned, the credit card company is much more likely to remove a charge (basically refunding you) then any other method.
I would never wire money to rent a room, apartment or villa - I know some places that only take wires (because it is very common in Europe) but there are so many places to stay in the world that it is probably better to just move on.
Sorry to hear about your case - I had not heard of VRBO scams before.
My advice (as someone who has been doing Internet commerce from day one) is to always ALWAYS A L W A Y S - use a credit card. If you get burned, the credit card company is much more likely to remove a charge (basically refunding you) then any other method.
I would never wire money to rent a room, apartment or villa - I know some places that only take wires (because it is very common in Europe) but there are so many places to stay in the world that it is probably better to just move on.
Sorry to hear about your case - I had not heard of VRBO scams before.
Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line
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Rachelle & Joe
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:23 pm
- Location: ohio
Warning VRBO Bookings
WOW !!!!!!!!!!! Unreal ! We are so sorry for you & your family. that is a whole lotta of $$$$$ !!!!! Good luck with recouping the $$$$$ & thanx for sharing !
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Boston Mike
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:41 am
- Location: Boston, MA.
This is one story I do not like hearing. Sorry to hear that this transpired. It is an awful situation.
I would gather up all the facts that you can on the transaction history and contact your local Secret Service office. I worked with them before involving a purchase on e-bay of a motor vehicle and the buyer getting scammed out of 9,000.00. It took a little time, but they did catch the culprits. They have a task force that focuses on internet crimes such as the one you are experiencing.
You have nothing to lose, you’ve already lost enough.
I would gather up all the facts that you can on the transaction history and contact your local Secret Service office. I worked with them before involving a purchase on e-bay of a motor vehicle and the buyer getting scammed out of 9,000.00. It took a little time, but they did catch the culprits. They have a task force that focuses on internet crimes such as the one you are experiencing.
You have nothing to lose, you’ve already lost enough.
Life begins where the land ends!
So sorry to hear about VRBO. We have a vacation home in Maine that we rent out via VRBO. We have our phone number readily available, and have talked to
our potential renters via the phone many times. Sometimes that is reassuring to folks, but this makes me uneasy as a homeowner as well! We take credit cards so
hopefully that is the safest for all involved. I hope you have a good resolution
to all of this and can enjoy a vacation. Don't give up. Keep us informed.
our potential renters via the phone many times. Sometimes that is reassuring to folks, but this makes me uneasy as a homeowner as well! We take credit cards so
hopefully that is the safest for all involved. I hope you have a good resolution
to all of this and can enjoy a vacation. Don't give up. Keep us informed.