The internet is without question a marvelous tool for the advancement of international commerce, but it brings with it the increased danger of being lured into a travel scam. After all, you're taking the word of a complete stranger that his business is legitimate, that the vacation property is everything he claims it is, and that your financial transactions with him will be aboveboard.

Scam 1

Some unfortunate vacationers have arrived at their destinations only to realize the villa of their dreams was just that--a dream. No such villa in the promised location has ever existed.

Scam 2

Others have arrived to discover that the property is a rundown, ramshackle version of the gorgeous well-kept property shown in the pictures on the website.

Scam 3

Another popular scam involves the security deposit. First the owner asks for a large up front security deposit, then at the end of your stay he tells you that the deposit will be refunded to you by mail in a day or two just as soon as he completes an inspection. Time passes and you don't hear from the owner. When you contact him he claims that you forfeited return of the deposit because of damage done to the premises. But you know that you left the property in pristine condition.

Playing the Odds

While you usually get the best bargains dealing directly with the owner, you might consider dealing with a wholesaler instead. Before the wholesaler signed an agreement with the owner to represent the property, the wholesaler likely inspected the premises to insure that it meets the standard of the company. You are therefore, less likely to end up with a lemon.

Legal Recourse

Legally, you have few options. If it's worth the time and money, you could sue the owner in civil court in the legal jurisdiction relevant to the landowner. You can easily see the problem with this. You'll have to put your life on hold to travel back to the vacation area to file suit. And if the duplicity occurred on foreign soil, your legal hill becomes a judiciary mountain.

Where to Research

If you have doubts about a property owner consider contacting the American Society of Travel Agents. The large wholesalers of rental property are likely members of this group. The Society can tell you if there are serious complaints on file against a particular owner.