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Recently more and more people have been experiencing fraudulent ads on the internet.  Innocent people looking rent properties are unfortunately being taken advantage of.

Based on our past experience and observations, while trying to protect ourselves and our clients, we have created the following

Tips on How to Avoid Fraud.

• When you identify a property, contact the booking agent directly to be certain you can speak with a real person. A quick phone call can ensure that you are dealing with an actual person on the other end.
• Check that the booking agent knows the property owner personally and for how long. If they do not, then question how they are booking this property legally?
• Check that the booking agent knows the physical property personally by asking as many questions as possible.  For example, what is around the neighborhood, school information, parking rules, recycling. * The booking agent might not have all the answers and may have to check with the owner directly.
• Observe whether the booking agent is really collaborating with the owner.
  Make sure the booking agent is truly informed about what they are renting.
• If something is too good to be true, it’s because it is. Hence, if you manage to negotiate a very low price, be careful as there could be a fraudulent person just trying to receive money.
• If you see the same property being advertised at substantially different rates, double check that it’s not a fraud. You can do this by looking into the contact information (agency phone number with a real person who you speak with).
• If the booking agent does not want or cannot speak with you via phone, DO NOT BOOK!
• If the booking agent or the owner does not want to show you the place personally before asking for payment, DO NOT BOOK!
• Take CAUTION if your payment instruction is not directly to the booking agent or owner who you talked to directly.  * Be careful with payments to Western Union and accounts in the UK, Notting Hill.
• If you are booking through one person /site and suddenly another site asks you for payment, question it.  For example, there have been cases of property ads on different sites but payment is requested through Airbnb. DO NOT BOOK OR SEND PAYMENT!  Scam artists are capitalizing on others reputation.
• Be certain the booking agency exists by checking their physical address, telephone numbers, photos, websites, reviews, and recommendations.

Over the past few years, we have denounced suspicious agencies / persons who have posted our ads fraudulently.  Luckily, up to now no one has booked one of our properties through one these sites.

If you have experienced a fraudulent situation, please report it. By doing so, you can help others and stop unlawful activity.

We hope you find our tips and recommendations on how to avoid fraud valuable.

Please feel free to call us up and visit us.  It’s our pleasure to find you “your home away from home”.

Sincerely,

Brigitte Burgisser