The Real Deal: How to spot fake ads for vacation rentals

The last weeks of summer have people scouring the internet for last minute deals on vacation rentals.

News 12 Staff

Aug 9, 2022, 12:00 PM

Updated 794 days ago

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The last weeks of summer have people scouring the internet for last minute deals on vacation rentals.
News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman has The Real Deal on how to spot a fake ad.
The ads look so enticing, beautiful decor and fabulous locations at a great rate. So, how do you know if those listings are too good to be true?
You answer the ad, but the owner says to contact them outside the site - if that happens - it's a red flag. Everything should be going through the platform and that includes all communications as well.
Look at the quality of the photos - Do they look doctored? Are they blurry? Do they seem consistent with the listing itself?
And one of the best ways to figure out if an ad is legit - read the reviews. They are the best way to understand if there could be problems with the rental.
Read all the fine print and check out what fees might be added to your final bill - like cleaning and garbage removal. Do not send money to the owner directly.
If there are problems with the rental, document them with photos and videos to show you were not given what was promised.
And your review counts - good or bad - for the next renter.
If you have a story idea, question or tip, click here to reach out to Janice.