Scam renting westin St John

[pharmgirl]

were at the WSJ for a week last month and loved it. We want to return for 2 weeks next year so looked through rental ads. Found one on vacationtimesharerentals.com for one week we wanted. Asked if they had 2 weeks - yes. OK, they sent contract, I paid deposit with credit card via paypal. Odd - paypal email name differed from name on contract. Then the 'fun' started. They emailed me back, problem with paypal, can't get money, paypal charge did show up on my cc. OK I think this is scam territory

Then they asked me to wire via western union - NO!, wire directly to my bank -NO! next email, i need the money to confirm the reservation with DISNEY, SCAM definitely

I have already contacted my cc company and paypal but this seems to be a new version of fraud

I have both rented my timeshare and rented others through vacationtimesharerentals.com, so am not faulting the site. I would like to report this to the site but do not see a place to report this.

thought others might be interested

Oh well, will need to keep looking for the 2 weeks, really annoying when I thought we were all set to enjoy 2 weeks next year in st john

 

[DeniseM]

I paid deposit with credit card via paypal. Odd - paypal email name differed from name on contract.

This was a huge red flag...

What steps did you take to verify that the rental was Legit?

Please post the scammers info. for the protection of other Tuggers.

Please report it to http://www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/contactus-Email.asp

 

[ronparise]

that website does have a way to get in touch with them here but its email not phone

I doubt that they can help you however, as this is nothing but an advertising venue. Its like blaming the newspaper because someone placed a fraudulent ad It looks like you are on your own with the guy that took your money

The biggest problem I have when I rent out my timeshares are the guys like this that take your money and dont deliver

Not that its any help now, but in the future ask to see the reservation before you pay. or check with the resort to see that such a reservation actually exists

 

[DeniseM]

Ron - they can't help her, but they can ban the scammer from their site, so she should definitely contact them ASAP.

 

[pharmgirl]

I have also rented our timeshares, and will request deposit prior to putting the renters name on the reservation. That is why I pay with cc through paypal. After they sent me the contract, I was going to call their phone # but a . family member became very ill and didn't call.
I have rented our timeshares to people with no phone calls, done through emails only. I have also rented timeshares for us via emails only.

When I received the contract with my name was definitely going to call Westin to confirm reservation before sending remainder. I am hesitant to put the names here, think the method is what should be known

 

[pharmgirl]

Ron - they can't help her, but they can ban the scammer from their site, so she should definitely contact them ASAP.

Thanks Denise, I just sent email to site with the 'renters' ID number, the ad has 'renters' name