Foreign rental or scam?

[Travelmore]

I have my TS week for rent and have recently received an offer to rent it - payment via wire transfer, full price no questions asked.....my spidey senses started tingling. I ignored the emails (about one a day) for a couple days.

Today I responded....just to see. I said I didn't take wire transfers (although I was thinking of setting up an empty savings acct for the possible one time transfer). I suggested PayPal (although I really didn't want to pay the fees) or a check in US dollars drawn on a US bank for the exact amount of the rental.

The response was that a check from a US bank was fine and could be FedExed to the address of my choice.

The IP address indicates it is from Venezeula (timeshare is in Aruba), check-in is almost six months away - plenty of time to clear.

So...Should I try it ? What should I watch for? Any advice?

 

[Rent_Share]

If it involves refunding any excess, run away.


As to the paypal fees, increase the amount to cover them. (3% max). your not giving the renter anymore information than your email address.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I have done a couple of rentals via South Americans. Most have VISA cards and/or US Dollar bank accounts. Increase your FEES and use PayPal.

PS There is a lot of money in their country and thru out South America. They like to vacation and travel, too. Good luck.

 

[csxjohn]

I always thought a wire transfer was the safest way to get funds from someone. The moment they are transfered, they are available to you.

Am I missing something?

 

[Rent_Share]

He doen't want to provide his bank account and routing number

 

[pacodemountainside]

Yes, it is fast and convenient but you have to give a stranger detailed bank account info. You could easliy find a withdrawl rather than a deposit.

They are great for social security, pensions, stockkbroker, etc.

 

[Travelmore]

I am unfamiliar with receiving a wire (only ever sent a couple) and was concerned about what private info I would have to provide or that the sender would be able to access.

 

[csxjohn]

I am unfamiliar with receiving a wire (only ever sent a couple) and was concerned about what private info I would have to provide or that the sender would be able to access.

My account will take in the money through a wire transfer but before anything can go out my bank contacts me through a phone number I have given them and a password. It also helps that it is a small local savings and loan where they know me and I know them.

I think using an account with only a few dollars in it would work nicely as the OP suggested he might do.

 

[IngridN]

Sounds like a legit rental as long as he sends a check for the amount of the rental. With 6 months to check-in, you can easily re-rent if check turns out to be bogus. Aruba is a very popular vacation destination for Venezuelans and other South Americans. I would go for it.

Ingrid

 

[MauiLea]

Payment Terms

You need to be very careful with how you accept payments. Wire transfers are not a good idea if you have to give out your bank information. Bank Checks can be forged; you deposit and find out later that it is bogus. The best way is to utilize Paypay to transfer to friends and family. All you need to supply is your email address and there is a record of the transaction for both parties.

Never give up your bank information! Unless you open another account just for this transaction; isolate from your REAL account.

Suggest they pay via Paypal and depending on the amount, the charge is 2.9% of the fee plus 30 cents. If the other person starts to gripe, walk away.

 

[MauiLea]

Learn more about secure online payments

Also, a suggestion to research payment terms recommended on ebay and craigslist. They give you an idea of the scams people try to perpetrate on others.

 

[vacationhopeful]

...., the charge is 2.9% of the fee plus 30 cents. If the other person starts to gripe, walk away.

Plus the currency exchange fee ...

Like I posted prior, most of our good neighbors to the South have US Dollar accounts with ATM VISA or VISA/American Express -type cards. They LIKE shopping in Miami, Houston, New Orleans along with vacationing in NYC and Las Vegas.