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Up to Discussions in Scams
4965 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Jun 17, 2012 8:00 AM by george.ellinas RSS
New Member
bsemion
6 posts since
May 1, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

May 4, 2012 2:22 PM

potential scam?

I've been reading about scams orginating in Ukraine, many with a Kiev address. I have just recieved an inquiry below:

Hello

 

Thanks for the updated information.

We are okay with the accommodation and cost .

we would also like to confirm  the reservation on the following information:

   - Mrs Katrin KXXXXXXXX

 

     XXXXXXXXX,  kiev, Ukraine.

 

    Also , due to the unsecured use of credit card online or on the phone, I have arrange for payment inform of check

 

 

    Please do forward me the following details for payment

 

 

    FULL NAME

    BILLING ADDRESS

    CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER

 

Until this contact, there was no indication this person was from overseas. I have emailed them regarding why someone from Kiev would want to come for one week to the forest of northern Michigan.


Dear Katrin,

 

Thank you for your inquiry on my vacation rental (385771).

 

My property is available from Aug 19, 2012 to Aug 25, 2012 but not the 18th. If you have questions or would like to reserve the property, please call or email me.

 

I look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

Sincerely,
William Semion


Here are the details of your inquiry
end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Traveler Name: Katrin KXXXXXXXX
Traveler Email: rxxxxxxx@hotmail.com
Traveler Phone:
Total Children: 0
Total People: 4
Traveler Comment:

This smells very fishy to me. How about anyone else?

  • stjvilla Community Ambassador
    stjvilla
    453 posts since
    May 27, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 1, 2012 8:29 AM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    Fishy!  It's practically word for word what other owners have received from scammers.

    • New Member
      bsemion
      6 posts since
      May 1, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 1, 2012 8:32 AM (in response to stjvilla)
      Re: potential scam?

      I will report what they respond with, if anything. I have also asked for a U.S. contact since that i believe is required on U.S. customs forms.

      • thaxterlane Community Ambassador
        thaxterlane
        684 posts since
        Jul 27, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        May 1, 2012 8:46 AM (in response to bsemion)
        Re: potential scam?

        I recommend not responding to obvious scam emails.  I believe not responding discourages further emails from the individuals or groups running the scams.   Responding simply validates the email is active and I can't imagine this is in the email recipient's interest.   In my opinion, there isn't anything to  be gained by responding - it's not as if you will stop the scammer or prevent him or her from attempting to scam someone else.  Posting the informaiton as a warning to others is certainly useful, responding seems a poor use of the email receipient's time and effort. 

        • New Member
          bsemion
          6 posts since
          May 1, 2012
          Currently Being Moderated
          May 1, 2012 9:10 AM (in response to thaxterlane)
          Re: potential scam?

          Good advice. It's the cop/reporter in me who wants to know!

          • thaxterlane Community Ambassador
            thaxterlane
            684 posts since
            Jul 27, 2011
            Currently Being Moderated
            May 1, 2012 9:52 AM (in response to bsemion)
            Re: potential scam?

            I completely understand the urge to let the scammer know you are aware of their intentions, perhaps draw them into a fruitless (you know, they don't) email exchange.

             

            In looking over your initial post, it appears you provided your full name in your response to the inquiry.  I wouldn't provide a full name in an initial response.   I receive  inquiries from a range of online sources, some sources paid and some unpaid, and it can be difficult to authenticate the legitimacy of each and every one.  When I am not certain, but feel the inquiry meets most standards, I reply but do not supply any identifying personal information.   I'm concerned about information being gathered piece by piece until someone gains enough data to cause problems for me.

             

            Maybe my concerns are unfounded . . . . .  I hope they're unfounded. 

            • New Member
              bsemion
              6 posts since
              May 1, 2012
              Currently Being Moderated
              May 1, 2012 10:05 AM (in response to thaxterlane)
              Re: potential scam?

              Yes, understand. Only until the check was mentioned did I know this was an overseas inquiry. I will heed your advice. I almost always either check a phone number or email address on an initial inquiry, and google the name. I didn't this time.

  • mlbmaine Active Contributor
    mlbmaine
    377 posts since
    Mar 2, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 1, 2012 8:36 AM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    It is definitely a scam.  There have been many past posts about inquiries like this one.  I myself received one two months ago.  The "renter" sends the owner a check that is more than the rental amount and asks the owner to refund the difference to them.  Of course, the check that the renter has sent is bogus.  The scammer is hoping that the owner will send them the money before the owner discovers that the renter's check does not clear.

  • tfv Active Contributor
    tfv
    281 posts since
    Jun 9, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 1, 2012 4:28 PM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    If ever I get an email inquiry like this, I will reply to it using another email address of mine that doesen't identify me or my rental, and provide the following information the inquirer (Scammer) asked.

     

    Please do forward me the following details for payment

        FULL NAME = I will provide the name of the Chief of Police in our City

        BILLING ADDRESS = I will provide the address of the Police Department of our City

        CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER = I will provide the Police Department telephone number and advice to    re-direct call to me (Chief of Police as far as the Scammer thinks)

     

    Good luck to the Scammer when he calls the Chief of Police. (I'm allowed to report a crime in progress, right?)

  • george.ellinas New Member
    george.ellinas
    7 posts since
    May 13, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 13, 2012 4:56 PM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    Can I ask has anyone come across a company web-site called Sunnyrentals.com.

    I was called by them, they are based in Denmark with most of their sales team are Indian, but say they are living in Copenhagen but don't speak Danish and who took my telephone from homeaway.com web-site.

     

    I have done some searches to find the company independently on search engines but nothing comes up other than the normal property rental web-sites. They have a good web-site and they even dropped their price from 199 euros to 99 euros because I was taking my time in giving them my details and saying "yes" to advertising with them.

     

    If a web-site does not come up in a search does it mean that no one will be able to find it and so book?

     

    Not sure what to do. Pay the 99 Euros or just say no...has anyone else been called or heard of sunnyrentals.com

     

    George

    • New Member
      dorsodurodeb
      17 posts since
      Sep 15, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 15, 2012 12:45 AM (in response to george.ellinas)
      Re: potential scam?

      Drop your "business" with them like a hot potato!!!  This definitely has SCAM written all over it....... and deep down I know you realize it.  Don't give them any personal information, agree to any of their special deals, or hand over a cent.  Only ever advertise with well-known, reputable sites that you choose YOURSELF and that you feel comfortable with. 

       

      Scams are becoming prevalent in the rental business - we have been approached 4 times in the past couple of months alone, but we recognize the signs now, and just immediately hit the delete button.  If you have any suspicions whatsoever, don't open up any messages or click on an unknown website.

       

      Stay vigilant, and listen to your gut instinct....... your holiday rental is too precious an investment to risk taking any chances with!

       

      Good luck!

  • ihaul4u New Member
    ihaul4u
    4 posts since
    Jun 10, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 10, 2012 2:35 PM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    Yup!  Just posted a warning.  Our inquiry was for 1 week for 4 adults. 

  • george.ellinas New Member
    george.ellinas
    7 posts since
    May 13, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 17, 2012 8:00 AM (in response to bsemion)
    Re: potential scam?

    Inquiry Detail

    Hello sir/madam,my name is Mike Libermann.I'm seeking a place to stay in your city in the month of September.I would need your services to book this facility for me and my family(my wife and children).I would like to make reservation ahead of our arrival. We planned on staying for a duration of 7 days.Arriving on September 1st and depart on September 7th.Please send me the details and cost of accommodation and every other important details that will be of help in securing this accommodation.

     

    I hvae had two of these in the last week...identical apart from name....beware all....

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