Frauds and Internet Scams are on the rise...

Together with the great advantages of the fast growing Internet business, as in any other industry, the amount of frauds and scams on the Internet is on the rise.

The vacation apartment’s rentals, in particular, have benefited significantly from the Internet commerce, and therefore is also one of the industries very prunes to delinquency.   

As a professional vacation apartment company and as an honest user of the Internet services, we feel it is our obligation to help increase the awareness and the caution of those innocent users, to assist them in NOT becoming the next victims for those frauds.

Recently we have encountered some incidences, in which scammers have offered apartments that they do not own or market they provided the victims with their bank account information or address and once the money for the reservation arrives, they just easily disappear….

In many cases, the scammers are manipulative and they use FREE advertising portals, in which they just use other websites link CLAIMING they  are making the reservation for their clients!!!

In general, some tips to avoid scams and Fraud when reserving an apartment:

• When finding an apartment on website that are FREE for advertisers (such as Craig’s list)  be over cautious!!! Get a phone number, check that the websites advertised really fit the person information etc.  AND ask if someone you know who lives next by, can check the apartment for you or check the reservation office.  
• When a provider or Marketer on the Internet is pushing you to “close” the deal ON the spot- be a little “suspicious”…ask for cancellation policy, ask for referrals etc.
• Some little details such as company logo, company documents, forms and agreements, can be a good judgment for avoiding dealing with scammers.  If documents, procedures and communication are done appropriately and professionally there are less chances this is a fraud or a scam.  
• IF YOU DO become a victim of a fraud, or heard about a scam, PLEASE be responsible enough to report it online.   There are many websites where you can just post the story to AVOID it from happening again to someone else.!!

Here are some links to websites discussing frauds and scammers for vacation rentals!!!  
http://www.vacationrentaldirect.com/fraudreport.asp

http://www.free-rentals.com/nyc-vacation-rentals-scammer-alert.php

Vacation Apartments in Israel: More and More travelers around the world chose vac...

vacation apartments in Israel: More and More travelers around the world chose vac...: "More and More travelers around the world chose vacations apartments rather than staying in Hotels. The many advantages of staying in a..."

More and More travelers around the world chose vacations apartments rather than staying in Hotels.  The many advantages of staying in a cozier place rather than usually cramped and expensive hotel have created a rapidly growing market of vacation apartments around the world.  Vacation apartments can be any type of unit:  a home, a cottage or cabin, a condo or apartments, or villa.  They are self catering furnished, short terms rentals and usually have kitchens or kitchenette so that you can cook your meals. They are rented to only one party of guests at a time, like a family or a group of friends. Sometimes have extra amenities like a yard, a hot tub, or a private beachfront. Travelers bring their own personal stuff like toiletries (although most vacation rentals have at least a small supply of toilet paper, tissues, soap, etc. to get you started) and shop for their own food. Laundry facilities are often provided or available at a short proximity because there's no daily housekeeping, unless you arrange for it. The whole self-catering concept of vacation rentals helps to give travelers a sense of having a comfortable home-away-from-home.

Vacation rentals can be located in the heart of Metropolitan areas, to small peripheral towns or rural areas next to nature site or other natural attractions.    They can be privately owned properties or in some cases belong to a management agency a other company.

Although the ADVANTAGES for renting an apartment are notable:

• The "home away from home" concept and the opportunity to live within the local community while on holidays.
• The freedom and flexibility to prepare your own meals whenever you like, rather than having to get dressed up and go out to find a restaurant - especially for families with kids...who like they own cereal, bread, etc....
• Can keep your group of family together in one rental unit rather than spread across two or more hotel rooms.
• More suitable for children to have their own room, bed during the vacation period..
• Can have some guests over. 

There are also some concerns when choosing to rent an apartment from a Private owner:

·         You don’t really know what to expect, most hotel rooms are pretty standard and you can reasonably know what to expect, with most private apartments you need to trust web images.

·         Reservation procedures and cancellation policies of a hotel are more standard and clear.  Cancellations policies for privately owned unit are VERY rigid as cancellations affect single-unit rentals much more profoundly than a hotel with a few rooms.

·         Privately owned apartments usually lack the amenities like room service or restaurants close by, they have no service or maintenance and no housekeeping.

·          If an immediate attention is required or you have a question or a problem in most privately owned apartments you have no one to ask and no front desk or the concierge for assistance.

·         If an unexpected problem occurs such as a leak, broken furniture or amenity and you need to use another apartment it will be almost impossible to rent something near by in such a short notice.

Taking in considerations the advantages and the concerns of renting vacation apartments rather than hotel room, the IDEAL VACATION apartments are those owned and managed by small companies or individual; Having a few apartments managed by a company or a private owner, can let you enjoy the BOTH worlds…staying in a cozy apartment while having the security and convenience of a well organized vacation apartments.