BBB Warns Mainers Of Summer Vacation Scams

With the summer vacation season approaching, the Better Business Bureau is reminding Mainers to beware of vacation rental scams. In a press release sent out on Tuesday, the BBB said rental scams typically pop-up in online classified ads.

The scammer will post an ad about a home available to rent over the summer. When the victim contacts the person who posted the ad, the victim will be asked to pay a deposit on the rental. When the vacationer arrives at the home, they discover it doesn't exist or the renter lied about the condition of the home.

To avoid falling victim to the scam, the BBB says to try to book vacation rentals using only reputable websites. Search for a particular rental you like on multiple sites to make sure home exists and the description of the home is consistent. Never pay upfront for a vacation rental and get everything in writing before you pay.

Visit the Better Business Bureau website for more information on how to avoid getting burned by a vacation rental scam.