FORUM: Beware of scammers!

Here is a letter from one of our owners in New-york (New York Apartment Magnolia) warning us against scammers - please read it:

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Please beware that your sites are being targeted by people who are successfully convincing owners to participate in a payment for services plan which involves guests who send checks which are in excess of the amounts of the actual rental fees. They ask owners to send the balance back to a "travel agent" for the guest travel arrangements.

I have been a victim of this scam and have lost $3,300 plus the scam artists booking/reservation fee. The check turns out to be counterfeit etc.. The bank shuts down your accounts for 48 hours and it is a nightmare. They ask you to send this overpayment via western union which makes it an anonymous transaction, so they can't be caught.

I hope that you can post this as a warning to your owners in your network.
AT least we can be alert and on guard for this stuff.
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