Caution! Holiday apartments should be looked at carefully and not booked too quickly. In addition to reputable providers, there are also attempted scams. The European Consumer Center (EVZ) explains where pitfalls lurk.

Numerous fake holiday apartments reported

Consumers repeatedly report to the EVZ about alleged holiday apartments or holiday homes that turn out to be fake.

Such offers can mainly be found on fake private landlord websites. But also on well-known booking portals such as. B. booking.com, Airbnb, Casamundo or FeWo-direkt may appear fake ads. According to EVZ's experience, fraudsters also write to their victims directly on social media. Or use appropriate Facebook groups to draw attention to their offers.

Current case

A student found an alleged penthouse apartment in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower, sauna and jacuzzi on an online portal. Cost for 5 people and 7 nights: 2000 euros.

The holiday apartment must be booked directly with the landlord, the advertisement said. An exchange of WhatsApp messages quickly ensued in which the supposed landlord cleverly posed as an employee of a well-known French real estate agency. Payment outside the online platform is a common process that thousands of customers trust. A booking confirmation in the booking.com app was also promised .

Fearful of not getting the great apartment, the student agreed and transferred 2,000 euros directly to the fraudsters via bank transfer. The contact then broke off. The money was gone.

Key points that indicate fraudulent offers

  • The offer is extremely cheap or can still be had at short notice during the peak season.
  • Detailed information about the rental property is missing .
  • Only an email address is mentioned. The landlord’s name, address and telephone number are missing.
  • There are no reviews or a noticeable number of 5-star ratings for the landlord.
  • Communication and payment should be made outside of the booking platform
  • The rental agreement is linguistically conspicuous.
  • The entire rental price should be paid directly in advance. If you pay the entire amount immediately, a discount is promised.
  • bank transfers or transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram are accepted
  • The perpetrators ask for a copy of the identity card (so-called identity theft ). Never ship!
  • You first reach the booking page via a link (e.g. in an email). This is then a fake website.

Tips for successfully booking a holiday apartment

  • Proceed with common sense . Don't be blinded by beautiful photos and cheap prices. It is best to compare the offers with equivalent properties in the area.
  • If you already know the website of the desired property, enter it manually into the browser instead of using the search function.
  • Don't book under time pressure .
  • Stay away if there no imprint or contact details are missing.
  • for reviews from other users.
  • using online map services . Can the accommodation in question be located there?
  • With the help of the online image search you can see where the images shown are still being used.
  • Communicate and pay exclusively through online booking portals Pay attention to the portal’s information on protective measures, e.g. B. verification of the landlord by the platform.
  • Choose a secure payment method . Credit card and direct debit are recommended. In the event of fraud, a chargeback can be requested from the bank. Payment service providers are also better than a bank transfer. But: Never use the “Friends and Family” function when paying via PayPal. This does not contain buyer protection. Ideally, you only pay a small deposit and the rest when you arrive on site (against a receipt).
  • Note cancellation conditions . It is ideal if the accommodation can be canceled free of charge a few days before the start of the trip.

Booked a holiday apartment and was cheated. What to do?

In the event of damage, those affected should secure all evidence and report it to the police. If the fraud took place via a booking platform, the operator of the platform should also be informed. This way, other users can be warned and the fraudulent ad can be deleted.

If you paid by credit card or direct debit, you may be able to have the payment reversed. However, there are deadlines that must be adhered to. As a rule, the bank must be informed within 8 weeks.

Source:

European Consumer Center Germany
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