Community: Message List - I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:45:41 GMT

There was a discussion during the Executive Q&A at the HomeAway Summit pertaining to scammers illegally advertising properties on Craigslist. If you have been impacted by this, please send your story directly to summit-craigslist@homeaway.com. Based on your collective feedback, we will reach out directly to Craigslist to try to greatly improve the situation.

Thanks,

Beth

Community Manager & Summit Coordinator

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:22:45 GMT

I found my homes advertised on Craigslist with a rental rate of $1.00.

I was able to track down the ad and found it was a new upstart vacation rental site trying to get inquiries. The inquiries were directed to me. None of the peole inquiring believed the price.

Marilyn

www.hamptonhouseproperties.info

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:37:33 GMT

Why would you even hesitate watermarking pictures if a number of us are being scammed like this with pictures stolen here? I use photoshop for a living and circumventing a watermark is NOT easy to the casual scammer... they would look elsewhere for targets. HomeAway at this point in time is a smorgesbord for property scam artists.

Also, this recommendation of yours to travelers to ask owners for more pictures is pretty detached from the reality of online fraud. Not to mention your advice that we narrow down the location of the rental property with an arrow pointing to the exact location with no mention of the potential for fraud.

The biggest offense is the fact that although Home Away allows home owners to be vague and not pinpoint exact location of the rental properties.....THE HOMEAWAY IPHONE APP WILL STILL DIVULGE THE HIDDEN ADDRESS INFORMATION ON A MAP AND WILL ALLOW SOMEONE TO DRIVE RIGHT UP TO THE FRONT OF YOUR RENTAL regardless of how well you think you have it hidden.

I'm personally getting VERY tired of the careless disregard for property owners safety and wellbeing displayed by Home Away. I am getting scammed often with information and pictures stolen from HomeAway! Why are you making it so easy for them?? I'm the one paying you thousands of dollars, remember??

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:08:46 GMT

The police don't have the capacity to even verify online fraud let alone act on it and normally the perpetrator is far from their juristiction. The FBI adds these small potato fraud attempts to the bottom of the pile and instead focuses on big fish. At least that is the subtext to everything either of these agencies have written or said to me.

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:43:15 GMT

This sounds like a nightmare. It's difficult to imagine that the police (or FBI) don't have a legal responsibility to follow-up on this kind of fraud.

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:53:38 GMT

So shocking! I hope you manage to bring her down...!

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:52:05 GMT

Hi All,

Couple of things I'd like to add to this discussion:

First, HomeAway just launched an excellent new Security Center, with tips and tools on how both travelers and owners can maximize the vacation rental experience. Please check it out, and share the link with others.

Also, HomeAway is considering the use of photo watermarks similar to VRBO. That said, it's important to note that even though watermarks act as a deterrent, they are still easily circumvented by determined scammers.

Stay safe, everyone!

Laura

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:23:09 GMT

Ok, so she just reposted the ad on craigslist. This time she is using the anonymous e-mail address that craigslist lets you put when you post. I'm thinking she didn't mean to reveal her email address in the last posting. She didn't respond to my inquiry... probably too many questions. I really need her to respond to do anything.

Remember she is just using my text with no pictures on there and she didn't respond to my inquiry. The text is just so specific to my property that she couldn't possibly have the same set up down to the very specific amenities.

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:19:33 GMT

sigh. thanks guys!

Re: I found my rental on Craigslist being rented by someone else!

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:12:59 GMT

There is a little button on the Craigslist search line to "search title" or "search entire post". I just search entire post for phases that appear in my listing.

You could search for "townhouse daytona kid friendly" or "daytona townhouse elegant view" if those words appear in your listing here on HA then it would come up on CL even if they are not using your title headline. This woman made up a headline but used my text so she's trying to blend in. My search usually brings up 4 or 5 to look at and there she was!