How can you tell if this is legit?

Question

I am considering renting a condo from a woman in Miami Beach Florida. The property is listed on craigslist.com, vacationrentals.com, and she also has her own website.

Everything looks legit, but is there anything I can do to protect myself from scam artists. I would hate to send money to some stranger, then arrive in Florida and don't have a place to stay.

Are these people required to register somewhere, or do websites such as vacationrentals.com screen people before they are allowed to list a property?

Has anyone ever done this before? If so, what was your experience?

I forgot to add that this would be a short term rental, four nights. I am not planning to live there, it's just for vacation.

Answer 1

You can possibly check with the chamber of commerce, a local real estate brokerage, or local law enforcement to find out if business is legit. Ask for a referral from the local bank, church, or previous tenants. The place you found the ad will likely give you some feedback, also. but dont put all your money up front, a small deposit should be sufficient, in case you dont like the place when you get there, anyway.

Answer 2

Ask her for references. She could provide you a list of her friends to talk to you, but if you ask pointed questions about the property, when they stayed at the condo, weather, what is nearby, you may be able to weed out a fake.

I know anybody can post on craigslist, don't know abut vacationrentals.

Also, what is she accepting as down payment? If it is a Western Union deal, it is probably a scam.

Answer 3

TripAdvisor.com has an online forum community where they have reviewed condos to rent, and can recommend where you can find legit rentals as well. I can't comment on if this lady you are talking to is legit, but you can always ask around TripAdvisor.com if anyone has any specific input. Anyone can post things at Craigslist. VacationRentals.com seems to be a little more discriminating, but their website also says proceed at your own risk.

Answer 4

Where did you study that they verified on animals? Unless the corporation admitted to the trying out in query, extra occasions then no longer - its comfortably hearsay. On the internet site that you simply quoted above, it does say "We'll most effective use animal trying out while there aren't any different fair choices." So you could must believe that this corporation DOES honestly discover all different choices earlier than trying out on animals. A well query to invite this corporation would be "What possible choices do you discover earlier to trying out at the animal?" Hope this is helping!

Answer 5

I think it's not legit.
Read this before you do anything..

* DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

* NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

* CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

* NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

* AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

Answer 6

You might try the chamber of commerce. If she has a legitamite lodging establishment it should be listed there.

Answer 7

About all you can do is ask the woman to provide proof of ownership.