Prospective guest wants to go ouside of platform. suspicious?

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Prospective guest wants to go ouside of platform. suspicious?

Sean Wilt
Investor · Savannah, GA · Member since 2018 · 71 posts · 29 votes

A potential guest contacted me via inquiry through VRBO and is interested in a week long stay at our home and it's a nice rental ($3,500).   He is a new traveller with no reviews.  He gave his full name and email plus phone number, but stated that his employer was going to pay for the rental and needed to write a check so wanted to go outside of the site.

I am very hesitant to do this as wondering if it's a scam... I would of course not hold the dates until i received the check and it cashed.  But, I feel I am at risk in a number of areas by going outside of the platform especially since I was originally contacted via the platform vs. a friend or facebook page or something. Would VRBO come down hard if they found out?  Also, I know if something went very wrong, I am at least partially protected by the platform.  Would hate if he was some sort of squatter or something.

I responded Monday quickly after his request,  but was very vague.  He actually just responded so he is engaged.  It does feel a bit like one of those Craigslist scams, but he did give his name and email/phone.

Feeling apprehensive.... and that it's not worth it, but it is a nice rental.

Anyone have thoughts?

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Brendan Curley
Investor · West Islip, NY · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 44 votes
7y

I wouldn't touch this with a 10Ft pole.  These scams are all over the place and sophisticated.  I would tell them to book through the site and have their employer reimburse them.  Their problems shouldn't become your problems.  Its just not worth it and you are not covered by VRBO/AirBNB if they don't book through the site.  Just my .02 cents.

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  • Lisa Graesser
    Rental Property Investor · The Villages, FL · Member since 2017 · 341 posts · 398 votes
    7y

    I just had a similar experience from VRBO inquiry and I was suspicious. The employer is paying the rent and would only pay by check. She did give me all her information and seemed legit, but I was apprehensive. After a week she had not sent the deposit, she said my rental agreement was going through corporate, so I had her Venmo me 1/2 the rent to hold the reservation.The employer contacted me for a W-9 a couple of weeks later and I did receive a check from them and I am planning on venmo-ing back the difference to the renter. So I have full payment prior to her arrival. There is a scam out there about someone sending a check for over the rental amount then asking for a refund check to be sent back with the original check being no good. You never know, so I can't tell you what you should do, just beware. 

    2Reply
  • Bryan Devitt
    Contractor · Oxford, MA · Member since 2018 · 807 posts · 745 votes
    7y

    I would be skeptical of taking a check from anyone online. The scam used by others is to send the check, you deposit it, then cancel a few days later and ask for a refund but they'll let you keep part of the money as payment for your troubles. You send them a check and it can take a week to a few weeks before their check clears your bank and comes back as a fraud. Now they take the money back out of your account and you're out whatever money you sent them as a "refund". To me, it isn't worth the risk of going outside the platform unless you're getting the payment via credit card or wire transfer.

    2Reply
  • Sean Wilt
    OP
    Investor · Savannah, GA · Member since 2018 · 71 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    Thanks Lisa, so yours sounds ok so far.  Has the guest actually stayed with you yet?  Or is it upcoming?  sounds very similar to my deal.  Sounds like it took some time to get paid though and my guest wants a key week in early June so I would not hold it until 100% payment was recieved.

    0Reply
  • Brendan Curley
    Investor · West Islip, NY · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 44 votes
    7y

    I wouldn't touch this with a 10Ft pole.  These scams are all over the place and sophisticated.  I would tell them to book through the site and have their employer reimburse them.  Their problems shouldn't become your problems.  Its just not worth it and you are not covered by VRBO/AirBNB if they don't book through the site.  Just my .02 cents.

    9Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    7y

    As long as there was at least 30 days before their stay, the check was for the correct amount including deposit and I had a copy of their drivers license I would take the reservation.

    If I didn't have all the above I wouldn't do it.

    2Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    He should use a credit card and get the check from his employer. Not your problem.

    1Reply
  • Paul Sandhu
    Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    @John Underwood is spot on.  I've had people pay me with a cashiers or certified check that was more than the rent amount.  They wanted the change back.  I said I'd wait until it cleared the bank.  

    Bank called me and said it was counterfeit.  Tenant was gone.

    They are trying to play you. Play them back for some amusement. Try to get them arrested for fraud. Or let them move into your STR and have some of your Italian friends break their knees.

    5Reply
  • Lisa Graesser
    Rental Property Investor · The Villages, FL · Member since 2017 · 341 posts · 398 votes
    7y

     @sean wilt.  She has not stayed yet. Employers Check cleared today and her arrival is not until May 1. Her employer checks out, so I am less sceptical. But as said above these scammers are creative, so I'll have to give you an update if I have fallen for it. I would first see if as said above, let the renter pay with card and have employer reimburse him. I should have asked that. Do some investigation and call the employer to get some info to see if it checks out. I accept checks the majority of the time for reservations I get outside of the vrbo platform and have never had a problem. It was the employers need to pay by check that had me suspicious. I'll keep you posted. If they Venmo you the money, then as far as I know they have handed you cash.

    0Reply
  • Sarah Lorenz
    Specialist · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2016 · 356 posts · 191 votes
    7y

     I have started getting these requests ALL the time. They are a scam. I rent for a very high dollar per night average for special events, almost always to larger groups, so they are drawn to my listing. It is always a new traveler, and they never have the kind of realistic detail that legitimate booking requests have.   Now I just reply with a simple message that says I only book through the platform. They almost never reply. Although one did a few weeks later, and said that he was an aeronautical engineer who had been at sea for several weeks, but he still really wanted to bring his team to my rental for some shore time. Ha ha.  I work for a large organization and submit travel expense reports all the time. The entire organization has gone to a cashless and checkless system now, and all transactions are done with a credit card and an online expensing system. There is no need for this kind of convoluted weirdness. Definitely a scam, explained by a previous reply. I report these on my platform right away.

    4Reply
  • Bill B.
    Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    7y

    What company doesn’t have a credit card?

    How did they pay for travel before vrbo & Airbnb? They didn’t write checks to hotels. 

    It must be a local company correct? Since the airlines aren’t taking a check  

    A stolen company check will still cash andmight not be caught for 30 days after the next statement period ends?

    3Reply
  • Lisa Graesser
    Rental Property Investor · The Villages, FL · Member since 2017 · 341 posts · 398 votes
    7y

     After this conversation I probably wouldn't repeat this. Not worth the worries

    1Reply
  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    They send a check with over payment by $1,000 dollars.  Ask you to cash the check and they will either a) pick up the cash difference b) send them back a check with the difference.

    They walk away with $1,000 cash, the original check you deposited bounces... You are out $1,000 bucks and a bounced check fee.

    This scam can be done with higher amounts as well.  Can't be too careful. 

    Irish Jones Realty4.947 Reviews
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    1Reply
  • Albert Ng
    Rental Property Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 401 posts · 221 votes
    7y

    I had guest who contact & rent paying cash to avoid some tax & fee, but would never rent to check paying guest. The check system is kinda outdated & by the time the check bound, they have finished their stay.

    0Reply
  • Doug Pintarch
    Rental Property Investor · Harrisburg, PA · Member since 2018 · 369 posts · 406 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Brendan Curley:

    I wouldn't touch this with a 10Ft pole.  These scams are all over the place and sophisticated.  I would tell them to book through the site and have their employer reimburse them.  Their problems shouldn't become your problems.  Its just not worth it and you are not covered by VRBO/AirBNB if they don't book through the site.  Just my .02 cents.

    THIS.   Please take my comments as they are, from a newb investor with one property.  Short-term VR at a beach town.   My Mother had to book through VRBO, so do you.   One platform only, no side deals, no discounts, no sob stories or "Employer check" bull$hit.  Pay there or play in someone else's sandbox that week.

    Humans man, they'll game the system.  Every time.

    1Reply
  • Ro Maga
    Newark, NJ · Member since 2015 · 162 posts · 102 votes
    7y

    @Sean Wilt

    Like other have mentioned it, this is a scam. Don’t fall for it. It’s the Nigerian Prince of STRs.

    1Reply
  • Sean Wilt
    OP
    Investor · Savannah, GA · Member since 2018 · 71 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    Thanks to all for the help.  I will definiltely not continue to engage with this person.

    Why I like this Forum so much!

    1Reply
  • Kathy Hansen
    Kettle Falls, WA · Member since 2017 · 77 posts · 40 votes
    7y

    This is a known scam. Do not engage.

    0Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Matthew Irish-Jones:

    They send a check with over payment by $1,000 dollars.  Ask you to cash the check and they will either a) pick up the cash difference b) send them back a check with the difference.

    They walk away with $1,000 cash, the original check you deposited bounces... You are out $1,000 bucks and a bounced check fee.

    This scam can be done with higher amounts as well.  Can't be too careful. 

    Sometimes they even play off greed. So the agreement is $3500 and they send you a check for $5000. They tell you to pocket $500 extra and just send them back $1000. They will say the employer had a larger allowance or some BS like that. So the person being scammed thinks, great I get $500 extra. Then the check gets returned. Checks can bounce back after several weeks, so don't think you are good just because it clears. After it bounces, you find out the scammer closed the account. Sometimes the bank will reimburse, but they are not always legally required to do so.

    The bigger issue here is that people are making agreements with VRBO or AirBNB who is promoting your property, then going behind their back to cut them out. It violates your agreement and you are just biting the hand that feeds you. It is not a responsible way to run your business.

    I work for a corporation and book all my travel on credit cards, including using short term rentals. No need to send a W9 if you use credit card. It is weird a company would insist on paying by check, unless it was a longer term agreement.

    If you want to work direct with people, then advertise outside the platform. 

    2Reply
  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Joe Splitrock yeah its sick.  They don't just prey on landlords.  Craigslist is another target.  They look for unsuspecting, honest people, send them $1,000 over the asking price for something and tell them they need the owner of the item to pay the move with the cash.

    Then they pick up the piece of furniture, the cash, and leave the victim "sometimes" penniless, literally.  

    Irish Jones Realty4.947 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • John Nachtigall
    Santa Rosa, CA · Member since 2017 · 325 posts · 701 votes
    7y

    No company in the world uses checks to pay for this kind of stuff anymore.    I am actually reprimanded for using anything but the company issued credit card.   Just tracking expenses and stuff would be a nightmare if you wrote checks.   

    I vote scam. 

    0Reply
  • Kirby Davis
    Fayetteville, AR · Member since 2018 · 95 posts · 62 votes
    7y

    @John Nachtigall Agreed. Years of traveling for company business, and they’ve never asked me to pay with a check. Company credit card or reimbursement after using your own credit card. I wouldn’t touch this.

    0Reply
  • Deborah Vahle
    Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2019 · 12 posts · 14 votes
    7y

    Looks like you got your answer here. I've dealt with similar situations and I agree that I do not recommend going off platform when contacted on the platform in the first place. Yes, the platforms charge a fee, but you do get some sort of protection from scams for that service.

    0Reply
  • Ned J.Pro Member
    Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    Scam.....who pays with a check anymore? Unless it some tiny old school mom and pop business, no one is going to pay business travel expenses with a check....

    Bogus checks can take longer than 30 days to come up a fake/fradualant

    0Reply
  • Justin Tahilramani
    Rental Property Investor · Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2014 · 884 posts · 670 votes
    7y

    I get similar requests pretty often. Most are not scams - rather they are people looking to avoid paying the additional fees/taxes. My personal opinion is that it is not ethical to allow someone to contact you through a booking platform - then turn around and book with them off platform. 

    0Reply
  • Jeff Small
    Investor · Sewell, NJ · Member since 2016 · 68 posts · 48 votes
    7y

    @Sean WiltI get this all the time. I simply tell them we transact only through the VRBO portal as it is safe for all parties. This guy is trying to scam you guaranteed.

    0Reply
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