Travel & Housing Scams
Learn how to recognize and avoid scams related to vacation rentals, timeshares, and property listings.
What are Travel & Housing Scams?
Travel and housing scams occur when fraudsters create fake listings for rental properties, vacation homes, or timeshares to steal your money or personal information.
These scams target people looking for vacation accommodations, rental properties, or real estate investments. The scammer typically creates attractive but fake property listings with below-market prices to lure victims.
Common goals of travel and housing scammers include:
- Collecting upfront fees or deposits for properties that don't exist
- Gathering personal and financial information for identity theft
- Selling fraudulent timeshare investments
- Offering non-existent vacation packages at "exclusive" discounts
- Renting properties they don't actually own or control
Common Types of Travel & Housing Scams
Be aware of these popular scam variations targeting travelers and home seekers:
Vacation Rental Fraud
Scammers create fake listings for vacation properties using stolen photos from legitimate real estate sites.
They collect security deposits and advance payments for properties that either don't exist or aren't actually available for rent.
Timeshare Scams
These scams target both potential timeshare buyers and current owners looking to sell.
Common tactics include high-pressure sales presentations, hidden fees, and fraudulent resale offers requiring upfront fees.
Rental Deposit Scams
Scammers pose as landlords for properties they don't own, often using hijacked listings from legitimate rental sites.
They pressure victims to send security deposits before viewing the property, then disappear with the money.
Vacation Package Fraud
Fraudulent offers for "all-inclusive" vacation packages at dramatically reduced prices.
These packages often have hidden fees, misrepresent accommodations, or don't exist at all once payment is made.
Hotel Booking Scams
Fake hotel booking websites that look legitimate but are designed to steal payment information.
Some scammers also call hotel guests directly, claiming to be from the front desk and requesting credit card verification.
Travel Club Schemes
Membership-based programs that promise exclusive travel deals and discounts for a large upfront fee.
Most of these clubs offer no real benefits beyond what's freely available through legitimate travel booking sites.
Why Travel & Housing Scams Are Effective
These scams succeed by exploiting several powerful psychological factors:
Psychology Behind the Scams
The Desire for a Good Deal
Everyone wants to feel they're getting special value. Scammers offer prices just low enough to seem like a great deal without raising suspicion.
Vacation Excitement
People planning vacations are often in a positive, excited mindset that can make them less critical and more willing to trust.
Housing Urgency
When searching for housing, there's often pressure to act quickly in competitive markets, which scammers exploit with tactics like "many people are interested."
Techniques Scammers Use
Professional-Looking Listings
Today's scammers create highly convincing websites and listings using stolen photos and details from legitimate properties.
Creating Distance Barriers
Scammers claim you can't view the property in person due to distance, COVID restrictions, or the owner being out of town.
Limited-Time Offers
Using phrases like "act now," "last one available," or "special discount ends today" to rush decisions before victims can verify details.
Why Seniors Are Targeted
Older adults are often specifically targeted by travel and housing scams because:
- Many seniors have financial resources for travel and second homes
- Retirees often have more flexibility for travel and relocating
- Some may be less familiar with researching properties online
- Many are actively looking for retirement or vacation properties
- Scammers know timeshare presentations often target older adults
Anatomy of a Vacation Rental Scam: Red Flags to Watch For
Let's examine a typical vacation rental scam to identify the warning signs:
Warning Signs in This Listing
Price Too Good to Be True
The rental price is significantly below market rates for similar properties in the same location - a classic scam tactic to attract interest.
Communication Only via Email
The "owner" insists on communicating only through email, avoiding phone calls that might reveal they're not who they claim to be.
Request for Wire Transfer
The payment method requested is a wire transfer, money order, or cryptocurrency - methods that are nearly impossible to reverse or trace.
Urgency to Book
Phrases like "many people interested" or "special rate only available today" create pressure to book immediately without proper verification.
No Physical Address
The listing provides vague location details without a specific address, making it impossible to verify if the property actually exists.
How to Protect Yourself from Travel & Housing Scams
Follow these practices to safely book accommodations and avoid property scams:
Verify the Property
Research the address to confirm it exists. For vacation rentals, search for the property images online to see if they've been stolen from other listings.
Use Secure Payment Methods
Pay with credit cards or through secure platforms that offer fraud protection. Avoid wire transfers, money orders, or cryptocurrency payments.
Check Reviews Carefully
Look for multiple detailed reviews from different dates. Be suspicious of listings with only a few generic positive reviews or none at all.
Speak with the Owner
Request a phone call or video chat with the property owner or manager. Legitimate landlords will be willing to speak with potential renters.
Get Everything in Writing
Request a written rental agreement that includes all terms, conditions, and fees before sending any payment or personal information.
Use Reputable Platforms
Book through established websites with verified reviews and secure payment processing that offer some level of buyer protection.
The Golden Rule for Travel & Housing
Never send money or provide personal information for a property you haven't verified through multiple sources, and never pay via wire transfer for a property you haven't seen in person or thoroughly vetted.
Specific Protection Tips by Scam Type
Each type of travel and housing scam requires specific precautions:
-
Vacation Rental Protection
- Use established vacation rental platforms with review systems (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
- Be suspicious of rentals with no reviews or only a few reviews
- Search the property address online to confirm it exists and matches the photos
- Use Google Street View to verify exterior photos match the actual location
- Contact the property manager through the rental platform's messaging system
- Never pay for the entire stay upfront if you can avoid it
- Be wary of owners who want to take communication off the official platform
-
Timeshare Scam Prevention
- Never pay upfront fees to companies promising to sell or rent out your timeshare
- Be extremely cautious of unsolicited contacts about your timeshare
- Research any timeshare resale company thoroughly before engaging their services
- Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the company
- Get all promises in writing and review contracts carefully before signing
- Avoid high-pressure sales presentations that don't give you time to think
- For timeshare purchases, take the contract home to review or have a lawyer examine it
-
Rental Housing Protection
- Always view a property in person before sending any money (or have a trusted local contact view it for you)
- Meet the landlord or property manager in person if possible
- Verify the person showing the property has legal authority to rent it
- Check property records to confirm ownership if you have concerns
- Be suspicious if rent is significantly below market rate for the area
- Never send cash, wire transfers, or gift cards for deposits or application fees
- Be cautious of landlords who claim they can't meet you because they're out of town
-
Travel Package Safety
- Book through established, reputable travel agencies with verifiable physical addresses
- Research the travel company through the Better Business Bureau and online reviews
- Get all details in writing, including what is and isn't included in the package
- Call the hotels directly to confirm your reservations are legitimate
- Be skeptical of packages that are dramatically cheaper than competitors
- Watch for hidden fees or mandatory presentations not mentioned upfront
- Pay with a credit card so you can dispute charges if necessary
-
Hotel Booking Safety
- Book directly through the hotel's official website or verified booking platforms
- Verify hotel websites by checking the URL (look for https:// and the official domain)
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true
- Never give credit card information to someone who calls your hotel room
- If there's an issue with your room or payment, go to the front desk in person
- Keep confirmation numbers and booking details for all reservations
- Check your credit card statements for unauthorized charges after your stay
What to Do If You Suspect a Travel or Housing Scam
If you encounter a suspicious listing or travel offer:
Immediate Steps
- Stop all communication with the suspected scammer
- Do not send money or provide additional personal information
- Document everything - save emails, text messages, and screenshots of the listing
- Report suspicious listings to the platform where you found them
- Search the property address online to see if it appears in other listings
- Contact the actual property owner if possible (through verified channels)
- Ask for proof of ownership from anyone claiming to rent or sell property
Where to Report Travel & Housing Scams
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov
- Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker
- Your state's attorney general's office or consumer protection agency
- Local law enforcement, especially if significant money was lost
- The rental or booking platform where you found the listing
- State real estate commission for timeshare and property scams
International Travel Note:
If you encounter a scam while traveling internationally:
- Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for guidance
- Report to local law enforcement in the country you're visiting
- File reports with your home country's agencies after returning
What to Do If You've Already Been Scammed
If you've already sent money or shared personal information:
Try to Recover Your Money
Depending on how you paid, you may have some recourse:
- Credit Card Payments: Contact your credit card company immediately to dispute the charges
- Bank Transfers: Contact your bank as soon as possible to try to reverse the transfer
- Payment Apps: Report the fraud to the app's customer service department
- Wire Transfers: Contact the wire transfer service immediately, though recovery is often difficult
- Checks: Contact your bank to stop payment if the check hasn't been cashed
Warning About Recovery Services
Be cautious of companies that contact you offering to recover your lost money for an upfront fee. These are often secondary scams targeting victims who've already lost money.
Protect Your Identity
If you've shared personal information:
- Change passwords for any accounts you may have shared information about
- Monitor your credit card and bank statements closely for unauthorized charges
- Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus
- Get free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com and check for suspicious activities
- Report identity theft at identitytheft.gov for a customized recovery plan
- Consider credit monitoring services or a credit freeze for more protection
For detailed steps on recovering from financial fraud, visit our dedicated page:
Get Full Recovery StepsSafe Travel Planning Tips
Follow these practices for worry-free vacation planning:
Plan Ahead
Book accommodations well in advance through reputable platforms. Last-minute desperation can lead to poor decisions and vulnerability to scams.
Research destinations thoroughly and read multiple reviews from verified sources.
Verify Before You Buy
For significant purchases like timeshares or vacation properties, always visit in person or hire a local representative to view it for you.
Have contracts reviewed by a lawyer before signing, especially for international properties.
Stay Connected
Share your travel plans with trusted family members or friends, including booking confirmations and contact information for your accommodations.
Keep copies of all reservations and have a backup plan if accommodations fall through.
Trusted Travel Resources
Use these reliable resources when planning travel:
- The Better Business Bureau for researching travel companies: bbb.org
- The U.S. State Department's travel advisories: travel.state.gov
- AARP's travel resources for seniors: aarp.org/travel
- Federal Trade Commission's travel scam information: consumer.ftc.gov/travel
Helping Others Avoid Travel & Housing Scams
Share your knowledge to protect friends and family:
Tips for Helping Family Members
- Offer to help research vacation rentals or travel packages before they book
- Show them how to verify property listings through multiple sources
- Share examples of travel scams you've encountered or read about
- Remind them never to wire money to someone they haven't met in person
- Encourage them to consult with you before responding to "too good to be true" travel offers
- Help set up secure payment methods for online bookings
- Offer to accompany them to timeshare presentations for added protection against high-pressure sales tactics
Community Awareness
- Share information about current travel scams at community centers and senior groups
- Alert your community when local rental scams are reported in your area
- Post warning signs about timeshare resale scams in retirement communities
- Organize a travel safety presentation at your local library or senior center
- Create a neighborhood watch group that shares information about housing scams
- Share our printable resources with travel groups and retirement communities
- Report scams to local authorities and encourage others to do the same
Discussing Scams Effectively
When talking about travel scams with others:
- Share specific examples rather than general warnings
- Focus on the sophisticated techniques scammers use
- Emphasize that these scams target people of all ages and backgrounds
- Share your own experiences or close calls to normalize caution
- Provide practical alternatives to questionable offers
- Recommend trusted travel resources and legitimate booking platforms
Think You're Encountering a Travel or Housing Scam?
If you've come across a suspicious rental listing or travel offer, or if you've already sent money, we're here to help.