The second half of August is at hand, and whether you choose to spend your vacation abroad or locally, it’s crucial to be wary of scams. If opting to rent a holiday home, several factors need attention to ensure a hassle-free experience.
This summer, DECO PROteste provided guidance on avoiding scams in this area. “Renting a house you’re familiar with or drawing on connections from friends can help avert fraud,” emphasized experts, recommending precautions when booking accommodations.
To avoid rash decisions, particularly at the booking stage, the consumer association suggests verifying the property’s registration number in the announcement and checking it on the official Tourism of Portugal site. This ensures you know the home’s location, owner, and identification details such as tax numbers, phone, and email.
Given the prevalence of fake listings, here are some tips:
Pricing
Experts advise skepticism towards deals that seem too good, particularly if properties are spectacularly priced and well-decorated. “If the deal appears enticing, compare similar offers in the same area and request a viewing if possible. Be wary if the owner resists, often citing overseas residency,” they warn.
Broad Search
DECO PROteste suggests that searches should be conducted on multiple platforms, noting that owner commissions differ per platform, and properties might be listed with varying prices. “Look for the best deal and ensure site security before proceeding.”
Visit the Property
Despite potential distances from your residence to the holiday home, DECO PROteste advises, “Whether you find the property through ink, online, or social media ads, try visiting first. Images can sometimes mislead.”
Resist Pressures
According to experts, a warning sign of a scam is pressure to decide quickly, often with claims of other interested parties and urgent deposit requirements to secure the reservation. “Take all the time needed to be comfortable with the transaction,” they emphasize.
Confirmations
Before paying any deposit, DECO PROteste advises checking several points:
- Search online for similar ads using the same photos or fraud reports on that ad;
- Verify the ad’s truth by requesting additional interior photos and details about amenities;
- Confirm the identity of the advertiser or contact (watch out for new social media profiles with few connections);
- Ensure the bank account holder matches the advertiser before any transfer;
- Be cautious of foreign bank accounts;
- Check the phone number remains active from the initial contact (consider a test call for the same rental period);
- If a problem arises post-payment, verify with the bank before a repeat transaction. If in doubt, cancel the order promptly to cut losses;
- Don’t proceed with reservations on sites lacking profile verification, especially concerning credit card authorizations.
“Mistrust any request for payment via cheque, cash, or money transfer services. Victims might initially be asked to pay half,” it says.
File a Complaint
If the property doesn’t match the ad, request the accommodation’s official complaint book.
Report Frauds
In case of a scam, report to authorities with all documentation on hand: advertisement, emails, photos, and payment receipts.
- File with the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP), Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), or Polícia Judiciária for computer-involved crimes;
- For online scams, contact the Cybercrime Office of the Public Prosecutor (ci********@*gr.pt);
- Report online scams to the National Cybersecurity Center (ce**@**rt.pt), though this holds no formal status as a complaint;
- If payments are involved, notify your bank about the scam.
