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Rossen Reports: Vacation rental scam warning

Rossen Reports: Vacation rental scam warning
Hi. Yeah, the better Business Bureau now out with an urgent warning that vacation rental scams are on the rise. So what should you look out for? Let me take you through *** few red flags first. Make sure to ask the property owner questions if they go unanswered. That's *** problem. You should ask for *** copy of their short term rental permit and registration to make sure it's legit. Second. Do *** simple Google search, take the address of the listing type it into Google Maps to make sure the property looks like the photos I like Google Earth because you can get *** different view from above, see everything around it. You can even do *** reverse image search to make sure the pictures are real and not just stock photos. I'm going to put directions how to do that. It's pretty easy on Rosson reports dot com. All right. Finally, if the rental owner is pushing you to communicate or pay off the website, hey, just text me or, or Venmo me. Move on. Going through the booking site is the safest way because it's tracked, secure and protected. Hope it helps back to you
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Rossen Reports: Vacation rental scam warning
As you plan your spring break and summer vacations, the Better Business Bureau is sending out a warning to watch out for potential vacation rental scams. Here are some red flags and tips to remember from experts:Do a search of the property: If you look it up on Google Earth and research the address, but it doesn’t look the same as the listing photos, that’s a red flag. Try a “reverse image” search: This means you’re placing a photo (or a link to the photo) in the search bar instead of text. Google then finds websites featuring your image. So if it’s a fake picture, Google will show you where it came from. Here are the steps to do one: Right-click on the image. There should be a “search image with Google” option. If not, choose “copy image address.” Open “images.google.com” in a web browser and click on the camera icon. Paste the photo’s URL in the text box that says “paste image link.” Click “search” and you’ll be taken to a page that has the results of your photo and more information about it. Ask questions: You want to ask the property owner questions throughout the whole process. If they go unanswered, that’s a problem. You can even ask for a copy of their short-term rental permit and registration to make sure it’s legit.Don’t communicate or pay off the platform: If they’re pushing you to communicate and pay on a different website or app, that’s a red flag. Going through the booking site is the safest way because it’s tracked, secure and protected. Talk on the phone: But you are encouraged to call. Many scammers don’t live locally, so they prefer to communicate via email. Make sure to call and touch base. Reviews: The Better Business Bureau says to look for photos and a variety of reviews. If the property or company doesn't have any online reviews, ask for references and call them. Some experts say, if there are no reviews at all on the booking site, be weary. Too good to be true: Scammers will try to lure you in with deals and deep discounts with lots of amenities. Have your guard up. Urgency: If they’re pushing you to book and pay because “others are interested,” they’re just trying to take advantage.

As you plan your spring break and summer vacations, the Better Business Bureau is sending out a warning to watch out for potential vacation rental scams.

Here are some red flags and tips to remember from experts:

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  • Do a search of the property: If you look it up on Google Earth and research the address, but it doesn’t look the same as the listing photos, that’s a red flag.
  • Try a “reverse image” search: This means you’re placing a photo (or a link to the photo) in the search bar instead of text. Google then finds websites featuring your image. So if it’s a fake picture, Google will show you where it came from. Here are the steps to do one: Right-click on the image. There should be a “search image with Google” option. If not, choose “copy image address.” Open “images.google.com” in a web browser and click on the camera icon. Paste the photo’s URL in the text box that says “paste image link.” Click “search” and you’ll be taken to a page that has the results of your photo and more information about it.
  • Ask questions: You want to ask the property owner questions throughout the whole process. If they go unanswered, that’s a problem. You can even ask for a copy of their short-term rental permit and registration to make sure it’s legit.
  • Don’t communicate or pay off the platform: If they’re pushing you to communicate and pay on a different website or app, that’s a red flag. Going through the booking site is the safest way because it’s tracked, secure and protected.
  • Talk on the phone: But you are encouraged to call. Many scammers don’t live locally, so they prefer to communicate via email. Make sure to call and touch base.
  • Reviews: The Better Business Bureau says to look for photos and a variety of reviews. If the property or company doesn't have any online reviews, ask for references and call them. Some experts say, if there are no reviews at all on the booking site, be weary.
  • Too good to be true: Scammers will try to lure you in with deals and deep discounts with lots of amenities. Have your guard up.
  • Urgency: If they’re pushing you to book and pay because “others are interested,” they’re just trying to take advantage.