Sticky - Please read this before you send money for a rental

[TUGBrian]

While there is no 100% way to eliminate scammers, there are some very simple and easy steps you can take to minimize the risk to you and expose a rental scam before money is sent.

This is taken directly from the existing sticky thread here on this very forum, but it deserves more attention.

These suggestions apply to ALL timeshare rentals, no matter where you find them.


5. I'm worried about Renting a Timeshare?

No problem at all! Many folks who find us have never rented a Timeshare or even previously knew it was possible! These free Advice articles are used daily to help owners ensure they are protecting themselves both as renters and rentees!

Timeshare Renting Help and Advice

We suggest to start with:

How to Verify a Timeshare Rental is Legitimate!

 

[TUGBrian]

yet another bump for our rental verification suggestions. please at least do the bare minimum of verifying a renter/rental before you send any money!

scammers rely on you just trusting them!

 

[TUGBrian]

and another bump...

just banned another guest who:

1. just recently joined
2. asked to send money to a different name/contact detail using zelle/vennmo


as always, if it seems suspect do NOT send any money.

 

[Kirkland425]

What is the safest way to pay for a rental to protect my payment in case it is a scam? I am interested in renting one but I don't want to send a check or money order. Dos PayPal protect the transaction? Thanks for any advice.

 

[steve_solo]

What is the safest way to pay for a rental to protect my payment in case it is a scam? I am interested in renting one but I don't want to send a check or money order. Dos PayPal protect the transaction? Thanks for any advice.

PayPal Buyer Protection does not cover money sent to friends and family. This includes personal payments made for gifts, splitting bills, or paying living expenses. PayPal recommends refusing to send a "friends and family" payment if someone asks you to pay for goods or services.

PayPal does offer protection for purchases made online. If you have an issue with a purchase, you can open a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Center.

Many renters will ask for "friends and family" to avoid a paypal fee for the transaction. But once you pay that way, it is gone.