Avoid these online holiday scams

With the holiday season around the corner, people looking to get away might turn to the internet to find the perfect place to stay.

But Gumtree South Africa has warned holidaymakers to be careful when looking for home-sharing and rentals online to avoid falling prey to scammers.

Gumtree’s spokeswoman, Claire Cobbledick, said the modus operandi differed, but usually there were instances of a scammer placing an advert, renting out a home that he or she did not actually own. Once the deposit was paid, the guest arrived at the address to find the rightful owner had no clue about what had transpired.

“Sometimes scammers will list adverts using the identity of legitimate guesthouses. They may even rent the same property out to several people at once.

“Before paying, ask for additional pictures and also check the place on Google Maps.

“Beachfront properties can triple their prices over the December period and a cut-price bargain should raise alarm bells. If you are suspicious, try driving a hard bargain – usually a scammer will cave very quickly and agree to taking a very low sum from you if they suspect you are going to back out,” Cobbledick said.

She also advised holidaymakers to ask for references before paying. “Be cautious, and enjoy,” she said.

The Mercury