Beware the Rent Scam

[checkwriter]

Update:

I heard from the owner today. I think we're okay. Please accept my apologies if I over-reacted -- but I don't think that my being careful is the same as being gun-shy about renting. I've modified some of the following to tone it down a bit -- I do think the lesson remains "be careful," and I do plan to use some of the excellent info posted here to make sure that both sides of this transaction, should it go through, are both satisfied and protected.

----------------------

I may have been hit upon by someone who was attempting to scam me. I don't have proof of this, but here are the reasons for my suspicions. I post them only to share my experience.

-- I've been posting for some time looking for a 2br ressie during the Christmas season. Hard to get, I know, but cancellations do happen.

-- I finally received a nibble from a Disboards "newbie" -- mine, I think, was his/her second post on the boards.

-- When I asked for more information, explaining that I had not done this before and needed to make sure we both proceeded in a way that was fair to the other, I didn't hear from the owner for several days.

Now I may hear back from this person, and I could be all wrong. But my point is still a good one, I think -- be careful when making these deals.

 

[LisaS]

-- My suspicious aroused, I checked the point charts. The 28th is a Sunday, so the 28th through the 1st go for 45 points per night, or 225 points. The 2nd is a Friday, which goes for 54 points. Total points for the ressie is 279 points, not 261.

As of Jan 1st, you switch from Premier Season to Adventure Season. The night of Jan 1st is 27 points so the point total for the stay is:

45 + 45 + 45 +27 + 54 = 261 points

 

[checkwriter]

As of Jan 1st, you switch from Premier Season to Adventure Season. The night of Jan 1st is 27 points so the point total for the stay is:

45 + 45 + 45 +27 + 54 = 261 points

Got it. Thanks. But I'm still suspicious, correct point count notwithstanding.

 

[DebbieB]

This was posted here on DIS? I thought you could not post an exisiting reservation more than 30 days ahead.

 

[checkwriter]

I posted the request for the holiday-season ressie, and received the response.

Please keep in mind that I have not confirmed that this was a scam; but some of the warning bells went off, namely the new account (2 posts, I think) and the lack of response when I brought up the idea of protecting both sides of the transaction.

My point in posting was to highlight the need to be careful in these deals, a lesson that I've learned from reading posts on this board.

 

[Mom B]

A good point, it is always wise to use caution in the rental process...and your instincts appear to be good. Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

Members are having a hard time coming up with vacation money so there are a slew of newbies on the rent/trade board trying to get rid of points. I don't blame you for being cautious, but you need to do additional research before you sound the alarm.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I personally do not see anything suspicious about this.

They did not respond so they tried to scam you?

 

[tjkraz]

Could also be someone who created a new account after being previously banned for violating the 30-day limit that DebbieB referenced.

Sounds a little slimey to me, but I'm not sure that a low post count and non-response over a couple of days is reason to assume fraud. Still, being cautions where rental transactions are concerned is always wise. If something doesn't smell right, move on to the next offer and let someone else take a chance.

 

[LIFERBABE]

 

[Chuck S]

If the deal doesn't "feel right" to you, don't accept it. Trust is an important and often overlooked component of rental transactions. Trust your instinct, and don't let it be trumped by a deal that seems too good to be true.

 

[kristenrice]

Did they e-mail you directly? I thought you had to have a certain minimum number of posts before you could PM?

I agree that it doesn't exactly SCREAM scam, but if you are not comfortable with it, don't do it.

FWIW, I had a wonderful Dis'er PM me (unsolicited) when I inquired about when I should actively start looking for a rental. He told me that he had plenty of points and was willing to help me out. I followed up with him, talked with him on the phone and got to know him and his wife. He is from my DH's home town and we found that we have a lot in common. He is even a police officer like my DH. I've rented from him twice now without a problem. Not everyone who seeks you out is looking to scam you. You need to use your instinct. There is nothing wrong with following up with them and "feeling them out".

**Putting on my flame suit now...***

I think a big chunk of trust may have flown out the window now. If *I* were the owner, my trust in you may have dropped a bit after reading your post. I'm not saying you are a bad person...you are merely being cautious. If I saw your need and tried to help you out, and I immediately read it here on the Dis that I may be out to scam you, I would retract my offer. It's only been 2 days. Not everyone can get online every day. (Unfortunately, I am not one of those....) I am not saying that you're wrong for your concern. I just think you may have been a little quick to pass judgment. Just my opinion...YMV.

 

[browniemtb]

I didn't see a huge issue here...the reason behind the radio silence could be because of the mods in this forum. If the communication happened via forum post or pm the mods see it and if the renter did not follow the rules they get a PM to cease the reservation talk until the 30 day mark. So maybe the person offering the reservation got caught and got a PM to stop or they lose the rights to DIS.

 

[JimMIA]

I tend to agree with LIFERBABE and Brownie...I don't see anything unusual so far. Not everyone lives on these boards, and there could be a lot of reasons for the lack of response. They may even have already rented the points to someone else.

I certainly don't see any indication of a scam. They haven't even asked for any money yet -- how could they be scamming you?

If you want to pursue it, I'd PM or email them again and give them your non-DIS email address to contact you through.

 

[Sammie]

Not at Disney, but at other locations around the US I rent from owners of timeshares all the time. Truly if you are going into the agreement thinking that someone is out to scam you then possibly renting is not for you.

Regardless of how much preparation you make the reservation is the owners until you check in, so basically all of the precautions are moot.

It is possible the owner has simply been busy with other things and not responded and possibly they felt you might be a hassle and they moved on.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[checkwriter]

**Putting on my flame suit now...***

I think a big chunk of trust may have flown out the window now. If *I* were the owner, my trust in you may have dropped a bit after reading your post. I'm not saying you are a bad person...you are merely being cautious. If I saw your need and tried to help you out, and I immediately read it here on the Dis that I may be out to scam you, I would retract my offer. It's only been 2 days. Not everyone can get online every day. (Unfortunately, I am not one of those....) I am not saying that you're wrong for your concern. I just think you may have been a little quick to pass judgment. Just my opinion...YMV.

Yup. No flames from me -- you are right, and I probably overreacted.

My dinner:

 

[kristenrice]

Yup. No flames from me -- you are right, and I probably overreacted.

My dinner: