Renting points

[tsmitchell]

Is there anyway of checking to see if someone is an actual timeshare owner? I am looking to rent some points (this is my first time) and I was actually contacted through my e-mail address. So I don't have this person's user name and I don't know how to check her history on the disboards. All I have is her e-mail address. Any info would be greatly appreciated as I would really like to get my vacation booked. Thanks.

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, you can look up ownership on the Orange County website - https://officialrecords.occompt.com/recorder/web/ - if you know the legal name of the person you are working with.

However, if you have been contacted by someone by email (where you have no opportunity to review any history with this website), I would be very cautious about proceeding with a rental - especially before sending any money. By not having at least a username, you will lose one potential means to learn something about the individual involved. I would consider this a RED FLAG at this point and walk (run) from the transaction even if it means not getting the reservation. In all likelyhood, you could reserve the same reservation directly thru Disney if you can't find another member to work with.

You might want to review the DVC Point Rental Primer for some suggestions about renting DVC reservations from someone you do not personally know.

Above all, please protect yourself before sending any funds.

Good luck with your rental.

 

[tsmitchell]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your info.

 

[Lynne M]

So you had posted on the Rent/Trade Board, and this person contacted you by e-mail, not responding to you in your post on the board? And you don't have any identifying information except her e-mail?

If that's the case, run. Run fast. Even on eBay, they tell you never, ever to enter into transactions with people who've contacted you outside of eBay's system. I think that's good advice in this situation as well.

I realize that you really want to make the reservation, but personally, I wouldn't send this person any money. There are many reputable folks here who use the rent/trade board to rent out their points. I'd stick with renting from a DISboards member.

 

[kimberh]

If you posted on the Rent/trade board, ask her what her user name is. See what her post count is. I would not deal with anyone without all their information. Get a phone number and talk with her. Where is she from? Does she use a contract?

 

[Deb & Bill]

And even if this person gives you a name that you can find on the Orange County Comptroller's website, there is no guarantee that your e-mailer is the person she/he says she/he is. If you can find a name on that website, a con man can, too.

 

[JimMIA]

If you use the Orange County Comptroller's site that Doc gave you, it has a couple of quirks. First of all, you have to list the name exactly as the site says with no punctuation. To get around that, I usually just search by last name only -- but that can be tedious if the person has a common last name.

Second, if the person's last name is hyphenated, the property will be listed as the last, last name -- the part after the hyphen.

As with any online public record, there is always a risk of incorrect or untimely information.

The thing that would be a huge Red Flag for me is if the person you are dealing with is renting from someone else's account. That is a prescription for trouble and an absolute deal-breaker as far as I'm concerned. Just too many things can go wrong with that scenario.

 

[Laurie222]

When I rented this past year, I also had the DVC member's full name, address, etc. and was able to confirm using telephone # websites (again, that does not keep somebody from using another person's name, but it helps). I also received a copy of the reservation with my name on it (that is also where I got my DVC member name and address) before money changed hands.

Good luck on finding a rental!

Laurie