SCAM ALERT: Internet scammers find easy target in vacation rentals
SCAM ALERT: Internet scammers find easy target in vacat ... (Added: July 09, 2009)
Scams like this can be common this time of year. Lots of money changes hands in the summer from selling cars to renting summer homes. (more)
Scams like this can be common this time of year. Lots of money changes hands in the summer from selling cars to renting summer homes.
Published: July 09, 2009
Ron LaChance uses Craigslist to promote his business, but not long ago he also used the popular website to look for an apartment to rent.
"And there was a beautiful, furnished, two bedroom, two parking place, downtown La Jolla at some ridiculously low price," says LaChance.
It got Ron's attention, so he emailed the person behind the ad and this is what came back.
"I'm in Europe so I can't be there, but I know someone will drop off keys and if you'll give them the money, and I went to the address and the place didn't even exist," he says.
It was a hoax. Someone trying to trick Ron into sending them thousands of dollars as a deposit.
LaChance says, "They were clearly trying to get money out of me for nothing and rip me off."
Scams like this can be common this time of year. Lots of money changes hands in the summer from selling cars to renting summer homes. And scamsters use that information to get you to shell out over the internet.
The idea is to get you to ignore your better judgment by offering you some sort of great financial deal or an ocean front view.
"Well there certainly are plenty of great places to rent on Craigslist. I just say watch what you're doing. Don't put money up front, and make sure you check the place out," says LaChance.
"The odds are they'll never get their money back," says undercover officer James Blanco.
His unit investigates 25 to 75 internet scams a week. How can you protect yourself?
"Unless you can reach out and touch that situation or talk to that person face to face, that's the only way you're going to know," Blanco says.
No matter what these people tell you online, that they are students or missionaries or former government officials, it is all a lie.
They will do whatever they can to earn your trust. Unless you meet them in person, you don't know who they are, where they live, or if they are telling the truth.
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