5 ways to avoid rising vacation rental fraud and bans

Everyone involved in the vacation rental industry is being impacted by the rising numbers in online vacation rental fraud. Some become victims, losing precious money and pride, while others are cut off from a valuable income source after being banned from renting their home out at all.

Here are five tips for approaching and maintaining long-term business relationships which encourage a positive and professional rental experience for all.

1. Only trust properties with Rental Protection or a Rental Seal

Vacation rental fraud is more easily avoided when a vacation rental owner offers or has achieved a form of rental verification. Some vacation rental portals offer Rental Protection. Similar to insurance, the traveler pays a premium which protects their rental investment in the event of fraudulent activity. Rental verification services, like RentalSeal.com, are purchased by the homeowner and provide an icon in the form of a “seal” which is displayed on the property’s listing. This serves as notice that the property has passed RentalSeal’s stringent verification process and assured the customer of a legitimate transaction.

2. Insist on credit card payments

It’s become much easier for small businesses to securely accept credit card payments online. Services like PayPal allow for a trace-able and track-able payments histories with memo services for keeping tabs on payments and who they went to/were received from and what they are for.

3. Get and verify references

It should go without saying that owners and rental customers should be prepared to present references when asked. These can be a past renter/landlord or an employer. If you’re stuck, a friend or family member will do. Just be sure the person who will be contacting the reference knows they’ll be speaking with a non-professional relation.

4. Be an immaculate communicator

Professional and timely communication is a must in any industry or business. Make a commitment to follow up on inquiries and issues as soon as possible plus initiate contact immediately when you have a question yourself. Ask a lot of specific questions which works two-fold to a) screen the person/property and b) establish your high level of knowledge and the standards expected right from the start.

5. Trust your instincts

If your gut is telling you something isn’t right, chances are it isn’t right. Same goes for the too-good-to-be-true feeling. Remember that our human conscience is much better at letting us know when we are in doubt or are uncomfortable than it is at letting us know when something is undisputedly right. Listen to that inner devil’s advocate carefully in conjunction with the other tips above and you’ll be well-armed in the battle against online vacation rental fraud.

For an outstanding directory of worldwide vacation rentals visit ArrangeYourVacation.com.

To review or locate a vacation rental portal visit VacationRentals.bg.

Traveler, blogger and freelance writer Shannon Russo also writes at the ArrangeYourVacation.com Travel Blog and for Examiner.com as the New England Coastal Beach Examiner.