It's the new scam of the summer: watch your bank account, it's easy to get caught out
It's always a risk when booking a vacation. Many French people are afraid of being scammed when renting an apartment or house online for a few days from an owner they don't know. According to a study , one in three vacationers has already been scammed after booking. This significant proportion is a reminder of the importance of vigilance when planning your summer relaxation weeks. Even for those most comfortable with the internet, it's not always easy to spot a scam. One of them, which is currently popular, however, has certain signs that don't deceive anyone as to its deceptive nature.
When booking a property, the owner requires a deposit to guarantee the rental and protect against cancellations. The general rule—although not legally regulated—is to pay 30% of the rental amount. Some use this prepayment as a way to defraud the owner of the property, relying on good faith. The principle is well-established.
On a classifieds platform, a person poses as a vacationer interested in a rental. A conversation then begins with the owner, and a reservation agreement is reached. To confirm the rental, a deposit is requested, in accordance with the contract provided. This is where the scam begins: the fake landlord "sends" more money than expected for the deposit and demands that the owner return the excess.
" In reality, the traveler's initial payment was fraudulent. Before the landlord realizes it, the fake tenant cancels his initial payment and the host ends up with, on the one hand, a canceled reservation and, on the other hand, a refund to the scammer," Laurent Amar, director of France Vérif, explained to Le Figaro in 2024. Concretely, if the owner agreed to reimburse the 100 or 200 euros "paid" in excess by the landlord, that's as much money as he has lost.
This scam is fairly easy to prevent, even though it's a popular holiday scam. First of all, it's best to only communicate with a potential renter on messaging platforms (Leboncoin, AirBnb, Abritel, etc.) because bots can detect suspicious behavior in messages and alert renters.
Furthermore, you should never issue a refund of any kind, but rather adjust the remaining amount due based on the advance already paid. Finally, it's best to favor bank transfer payments and avoid money transfer companies like Moneygram or Western Union. While these methods may be useful for cash and avoiding any traceability, they also expose you to scams that you won't be able to turn against.
L'Internaute
