Help - Was Scammed!

[c0reyann]

Unfortunately on some of the FB groups there are many first time renters who pay upfront prior to even receiving a confirmation number! In the particular group where this occurred, there's a post about a scam almost once a month. The one time I rented out on FB, the renter trusted me and paid upfront (which actually worried me and made me think the renter was a scammer who was going to do a charge back).

I had never done this before and assumed that this was standard. Now I know better! He said that it was common to pay and then he'll make the changes to put it in my name.

 

[RoseGold]

He kept claiming "known" DVC glitches to everyone. The families who showed up to Hawaii he claimed it was a massive DVC glitch they were aware of and told her that she is getting a check from Disney to reimburse her for what she had to pay out in addition once she got there to rebook rooms.

This makes even less sense to me. I've used all kinds of forums and anonymous systems to rent, including one that is now gone RIP, which certainly didn't have any kind of checks. And I never paid a dime until MDE was done, which is standard practice, and has been long before I started renting five years ago.

 

[c0reyann]

This makes even less sense to me. I've used all kinds of forums and anonymous systems to rent, including one that is now gone RIP, which certainly didn't have any kind of checks. And I never paid a dime until MDE was done, which is standard practice, and has been long before I started renting five years ago.

I can only speak for myself but I am new to this and he convinced me that it was standard practice to wait for a valid # until he was paid in full and made the name switch in the reservation. His references also said that it was the way they did it and all worked out fine (until he canceled those reservations).

 

[Madame]

I can only speak for myself but I am new to this and he convinced me that it was standard practice to wait for a valid # until he was paid in full and made the name switch in the reservation. His references also said that it was the way they did it and all worked out fine (until he canceled those reservations).

Yes, as I understand it, he did a couple of small rentals which went forward perfectly… so that he could use the references…..

 

[kilik64]

Unless you did paypal f&f, which it sounds like you might have..., then it shouldnt be a big problem to file a complaint with paypal to get the money back.

Lesson here is never use paypal f&f.

 

[Matty B13]

Also, PayPayl isn't supposed to be used for Timeshare Rentals per their policies.

 

[Madame]

Unless you did paypal f&f, which it sounds like you might have..., then it shouldnt be a big problem to file a complaint with paypal to get the money back.

Lesson here is never use paypal f&f.

A lot of FB renters use Venmo.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless you did paypal f&f, which it sounds like you might have..., then it shouldnt be a big problem to file a complaint with paypal to get the money back.

Lesson here is never use paypal f&f.

And don't use paypal for timeshare transactions. It's specifically against their terms. I know of ONE case where PP reimbursed a timeshare renter who was scammed. Otherwise, since it's against their terms, they don't protect either party at all.

A lot of FB renters use Venmo.

FWIW, Venmo is owned by Paypal.

 

[Madame]

And don't use paypal for timeshare transactions. It's specifically against their terms. I know of ONE case where PP reimbursed a timeshare renter who was scammed. Otherwise, since it's against their terms, they don't protect either party at all.



FWIW, Venmo is owned by Paypal.

The members in those groups prefer Venmo. I don’t know why - it’s not available to Canadians. Some have mentioned something about fraudulent charge backs are less likely with Venmo. Is it a bank transaction instead of CC maybe?

 

[kilik64]

The members in those groups prefer Venmo. I don’t know why - it’s not available to Canadians. Some have mentioned something about fraudulent charge backs are less likely with Venmo. Is it a bank transaction instead of CC maybe?

Venmo is tied to bank account, at least thats how I use it. Not sure if you can tie a CC to it or not.

 

[karen4546]

You should contact law enforcement.

totally agree!! That would be the FIRST thing I would do if the person refused refunds and was obviously a scammer. I am sure the amount would be a felony charge and it could be a federal offense.
sorry OP

 

[Madame]

Venmo is tied to bank account, at least thats how I use it. Not sure if you can tie a CC to it or not.

That makes sense, including why Canadians don’t have access.

 

[robinb]

I saw some people talking about a scammer last week in one of the DVC rental groups I belong to. I'm so sorry you were one of his victims! I have sold a couple of reservations in one group and I NEVER ask for money until the reservation is in my renter's MDE correctly.

Unless you did paypal f&f, which it sounds like you might have..., then it shouldnt be a big problem to file a complaint with paypal to get the money back.

Lesson here is never use paypal f&f.

Timeshare rentals are not covered under PayPal's "goods and services" so you would be out of luck there too.

 

[kilik64]

Learned something new, timeshares are NOT covered by paypal.

Thanks for everyone who pointed this out.

 

[Sandisw]

This makes even less sense to me. I've used all kinds of forums and anonymous systems to rent, including one that is now gone RIP, which certainly didn't have any kind of checks. And I never paid a dime until MDE was done, which is standard practice, and has been long before I started renting five years ago.

There are a lot of people out there who really don't know the ins/outs of rentals and the risks involved. So, I think its fair that all these people simply trusted the wrong person. Even if they had a real reservation number, and had entered in to MDE, and then paid, a person out to scam would scam regardless.

This situation is rare but it is real for the OP so let's remember that please.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Unless you did paypal f&f, which it sounds like you might have..., then it shouldnt be a big problem to file a complaint with paypal to get the money back.

Lesson here is never use paypal f&f.

it doesn't really matters if its f&f or g&s as long as you pay with a creditcard you are all good to get you money back if you get scammed.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I'm thankful my police took me seriously and are actually working on it. I think they expected him to have used a fake name/phone number but he didn't.

I'm trying to rebook but so far haven't been successful. Fingers are crossed that when the 7 month window hits for us on (date removed) we can get the room we wanted at XXX (resort removed) since we're still on waitlists everywhere.

Can I make a suggestion? Try staying offsite if you can’t get onsite reservations for your dates. There are some great offsite options (Sheraton Vistana, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Windsor Hills), and the on-site benefits aren’t as significant as they used to be. Those offsite options are also even cheaper then renting points usually.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I can only speak for myself but I am new to this and he convinced me that it was standard practice to wait for a valid # until he was paid in full and made the name switch in the reservation. His references also said that it was the way they did it and all worked out fine (until he canceled those reservations).

To be fair, if you’re not knowledgeable about how DVC works you probably don’t realize that owners can basically make reservations risk-free (as long as it’s outside 30 days). I can see how this scam caught a lot of people who weren’t that knowledgeable about the intricacies of DVC.

 

[lorie13]

I am sorry this happened to you and everyone else who booked a reservation with him. I read the whole thread on Facebook and his replies back. He really came across like he is scrambling and definitely hiding something. Disney does not make as many errors as he was blaming them for. It seems like his house of cards began to tumble sooner than he expected. His Facebook profile pictures looks like he could be in California, if he is you can also look up his name in the Business Entities - California Secretary of State. Unfortunately I think his name may be too common to pin it down to him unless there is an address or location to attach it too, maybe his cell phone area code can help. If you all can find out where he lives a police report to the local sheriffs station might expedite things before he disappears. I am sending you a private PM to share something else with you.

 

[Sandisw]

To be fair, if you’re not knowledgeable about how DVC works you probably don’t realize that owners can basically make reservations risk-free (as long as it’s outside 30 days). I can see how this scam caught a lot of people who weren’t that knowledgeable about the intricacies of DVC.

This is not exactly true. Canceling more than 31 days out eliminates holding, but there are banking windows, borrowing, etc. that could be involved.

Just don’t want renters to think that an owner can book and cancel with no risks at all and that renting terms are up to each owner and may not be flexible.