Rental Scam Warnings - do NOT send money to brand new registered users via zelle or any other non refundable platform etc

[TUGBrian]

Please stop sending money via zelle or any other form of non refundable payment option to new registered users offering wildly discounted vacations.

it takes very little time to do even the most basic verification of an ownership to weed these scams out, please take that time before sending any money.

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

 

[AwayWeGo]

I am under the impression that the banks offering Zelle money transfer make a point of telling customers to use Zelle service only for sending payments to known friends & associates & family members & never to strangers.

By me, strangers include anybody you don't already know who's renting out a timeshare, so don't send'm any money via Zelle.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[TUGBrian]

its very similar to folks requesting the paypal "friends and family" option, which also prevents any chance of a refund or fraud protection.

 

[callwill]

Please stop sending money via zelle or any other form of non refundable payment option to new registered users offering wildly discounted vacations.

it takes very little time to do even the most basic verification of an ownership to weed these scams out, please take that time before sending any money.

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

I have also read that in disputed transactions with Zelle and at least one other maybe cashap or venmo, the app blames the bank and user and the bank blames the app meanwhile your money has vaporized. I was recently saved from such a transaction on facebook marketplace because the seller, who had "stolen" an account did not have himself quite properly set up to accept payments via Zelle. In the meantime FB stepped in and shut down the account. Then the "criminal" contacted me via text (connected to my Zelle) stating he needed to send back the money so i could resend it to his proper account. By then it was too late for him and he hadnt realized it. I had got my money back. From that point forward i wont use anything but paypal and only if they are registered to accept the payments in a way that purchase is "protected".

 

[Normita]

This is from PayPal's site:
Ineligible items and transactions
The following items or transactions are not eligible for PayPal’s Purchase Protection program:

• Real estate, including residential property

Does this include timeshare rentals? Do you know if anyone has ever tried to get a refund for timeshare rental?

 

[gatlinburgcabin]

This is from PayPal's site:
Ineligible items and transactions
The following items or transactions are not eligible for PayPal’s Purchase Protection program:

• Real estate, including residential property

Does this include timeshare rentals? Do you know if anyone has ever tried to get a refund for timeshare rental?

I will chime in with my experience with PayPal (haven't ever used Venmo or Zelle). It is tough to win a case with PayPal. I've had 2 times over the past 5 years of buying something from a vendor and both times they disputed my account and won. I am very hesitant to use them anymore. NOT REALLY ANY GOOD OPTIONS. By the way, my credit card has ALWAYS stood by me. Interested to hear other comments, especially if they pertain to timeshare payments as stated above?

 

[AwayWeGo]

Does this include timeshare rentals?

Timeshares for rent are residential real estate property, but rentals are not purchases (although they are transactions).

To stay on the safe side, I would assume that timeshare rentals are not covered.

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[csxjohn]

This is from PayPal's site:
Ineligible items and transactions
The following items or transactions are not eligible for PayPal’s Purchase Protection program:

• Real estate, including residential property

Does this include timeshare rentals? Do you know if anyone has ever tried to get a refund for timeshare rental?

For some time PayPal specifically forbid "timeshare transactions." I can no longer find that wording in their terms of use. I haven't look in a while, is the real estate wording still in there?

I am an admin for a couple FaceBook groups and I have read recently in those groups that PayPay did protect them on timeshare rentals, they did use the invoice method, not the Friends & Family which give no recourse. When I read those accounts I went to the book mark where I had the wording and it was no longer there. I searched for quite a while and could not find any wording specifically saying anything about timeshares.

 

[HtownRose]

I clicked on the link "Rental Scam Warnings! It takes very little time and effort to verify a Timeshare Rental, here are some tips on how to do that before sending money!" - are there any tips other than don't use paypal & zelle?

 

[TUGBrian]

the link is full of suggestions:

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

failing to do any of them will put you at the most risk, regardless of what payment method you wish to use.

 

[exyeh]

I have a couple of times that I purchased the timeshare points and it turned out it was not what we agreed on, I complained to paypal in vain. I claimed to my credit card company and won. It will take some time and effort to prove that I am right, but it will get my money back every time.

 

[lockewong]

I will chime in with my experience with PayPal (haven't ever used Venmo or Zelle). It is tough to win a case with PayPal. I've had 2 times over the past 5 years of buying something from a vendor and both times they disputed my account and won. I am very hesitant to use them anymore. NOT REALLY ANY GOOD OPTIONS. By the way, my credit card has ALWAYS stood by me. Interested to hear other comments, especially if they pertain to timeshare payments as stated above?

I have had a terrible experience with PayPal when I was hacked four years ago. I asked them many times to shut my account down. The bank, Citibank Fraud team, had found the person on the East Coast and they refused to refund my money. The bank did; but I will never use PayPal again. A banker who assisted me during the 18 months of fraudulent hacking cautioned me to never use PayPal for anything. I eventually shut down my checking account. The amounts were inconspicuous; $211.87; $159.31 etc. Over holidays like Thanksgiving when it was hard to conduct bank business. Credit cards are fine by me, too.

 

[xzhan02]

Is check any more secure than Paypal or Zelle?

 

[jules54]

Reasoning behind me asking for PayPal payment to friends is to say the renter 3% fee. I also accept Venmo payments. I think with my extensive history on Tug renters can check me out. Sometimes I tell folks to Google my name and see what turns up.

 

[xzhan02]

I'm in the process of renting Hawaii for Christmas. It's a lot of money. One week I booked using RedWeek's verified and protected, paid by credit card (with 6% fee), so I felt good about it. The 2nd week I had an offer from a TUG MarketPlace ad, but he eventually said WKORV 2br could be split into two 1 br units, obviously a lie. I am dealing with another owner on Redweek, who has intimate knowledge of a resort and I have had very good and honest (I think) interaction. After seeing the reservation in their name, shall I pay via check or PayPal? Would the PayPal credit card option (with a fee) be safer? Alternatively, would it be worthwhile to ask owner to enroll in RedWeek's online payment, so I could pay with credit card (for a service fee)?

 

[DeniseM]

Many Legit owners are not going to enroll in Redweek's rental services, and pay their fees - they control the money until after the rental, and that is a no-go in my book. Paying with a credit card on PayPal is one of the more secure methods, because if you get scammed, you can dispute the credit card payment. You don't have to get PayPal's approval, either.

Read This:

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

 

[DavidnRobin]

Many Legit owners are not going to enroll in Redweek's rental services, and pay their fees - they control the money until after the rental, and that is a no-go in my book. Paying with a credit card on PayPal is one of the more secure methods, because if you get scammed, you can dispute the credit card payment. You don't have to get PayPal's approval, either.

Read This:

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

I have used the RedWeek service 3 times (for WKV) - no issue other than waiting for payment (which I don’t care about).
Saved me tons of hassle dealing with Renters directly (rental agreement, getting paid, dealing with PayPal, etc)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DeniseM]

Dave - That may be, but Redweek gives refunds without even notifying the owner, regardless of the rental terms between the owner and renter, and I'm not OK with that. YMMV

 

[xzhan02]

Thanks for your insight from Owner's prospective regarding Redweek's payment. I will consider using PayPal credit card. The only thing is the stay will be 6 months away. By then credit card dispute period will be over. I will certainly ask for a resort confirmation letter in our name after paying, and call the resort to confirm, but couldn't a dishonest owner change the names later?

I know I am being a bit paranoid, as this this is a large sum of money, and it'd be almost impossible to find last minute rental for Christmas on Maui if something goes wrong.

 

[xzhan02]

Denise, just noticed I joined TUG one day after you in 2005. Of course, I haven't been active for a few years (and timeshare in general) after we moved. I can't figure out how to change location in Tug profile.

 

[DeniseM]

xzhan02 - Read the article below - if you follow these instructions and still aren't comfortabel then you should not do a private rental:

How to Verify Timeshare Rentals: Spot Legitimate Deals & Avoid Scams

Get expert tips and a free checklist to verify if a timeshare rental is legitimate, avoid scams, and save money on discounted vacation deals.

tug2.net

Thanks for your insight from Owner's prospective regarding Redweek's payment. I will consider using PayPal credit card

Not the PayPal credit card - you can use your own credit card that you already have to make the payment on PayPal.

 

[xzhan02]

Denise, you are right. I have to be reasonable. I did read the article, and have followed, except asking for reference.

I do know it's using my own credit card for PayPal. Who pays the fee to Paypal, renter or owner? Is it around 3%?

 

[Sandi Bo]

I've had PayPal refund a payment AFTER someone had stayed for a week. It was an error on the renters part, they didn't recognize my name and disputed the charge. In the end I got my money. But was so disappointed that PayPal didn't even contact me.

Personally if I were renting, and didn't know the person and had any concerns, I would use a credit card. A PayPal invoice can be paid by paypal or a credit card. If you pay the PayPal invoice by credit card and you have a dispute you have to pick who you want to file the dispute with (you can't file with both). Personally, I'd rather deal with my credit card company.

I take payments any way I can get them. If someone chooses paypal or a credit card, they typically pay the 3% fee (their choice). I know I am honest, I understand if they have any concerns. They can research me here on TUG or google me, see my linked in, check my criminal record?, etc. Since I've lived in my current home for over 30 years, I'm pretty easy to check out if someone takes the time. I do the same (google, FB, etc) if I have any qualms about a renter. I have a rental agreement (thanks to TUG/Timeshare Von). I've had a few who have said things like "I'm not counting the silverware" and I'm happy not to rent to someone who isn't willing to take responsibility/care of the condo they are renting.

 

[Paumavista]

We do a lot of rentals.....I have 3 scheduled in the next few months.....only 1 of the 3 weeks were able to take a credit card. I think / I hope that you get a good vibe from sellers (and renters) and there is always just a level of trust. Most people are honest and good.....I have rented a number of times here on TUG....we "talk"....email back/forth. I always feel like I'm taking a leap of faith......

IF "joined" TUG dates are accurate......
xzhan02 & DeniseM & jules54 & Awaywego........June 2005 must have been a busy month on TUG!
Actually 2005 was pretty active......exyeh & DavidnRobin..........

 

[xzhan02]

Thank you Sandi for the detailed explanation of the process. I think I will use the PayPal credit card option (pay the fee). Although by the time of the stay, the 60-90 days CC disputed period would be over, at least we can catch anything wrong in the booking stage, like confirmation from the resort. After that, in the very unlike event that the owner changes the name, it'd still be within the PayPal dispute period of 180 days.

I googled the owner and found a match to a linkedIn profile as the attorney and VP for a large Timeshare resort. It makes sense as he is renting a lot of weeks.