Beware of fake offers to rent rooms, apartments or cottages
“Many people will want to take a few days off during the holiday and New Year period. To do so, they may look for attractive offers for rooms or cottages to rent. However, when making reservations and paying deposits, every precaution should be taken, as the offers may be fictitious. Scammers do not take a break at this time either,” warns Staff Sergeant Dominika Kwakszys, press officer of the District Police Headquarters in Złotoryja.
How do the criminals operate?
The modus operandi is extremely simple:
- An advertisement appears offering a very attractive room or an entire cottage for rent. It is usually cheaper than offers from nearby guesthouses.
- Booking a stay most often involves paying a deposit.
- At first glance, such an offer does not stand out in any way that would set off an alarm bell. Eventually, however, it turns out that after the deposit is paid, contact with the landlord ceases, the website stops working, or it only becomes apparent on arrival that the guesthouse, apartment or cottage does not exist.
What does the police advise?
Law enforcement officers:
To avoid financial losses and, above all, disappointment and unpleasant situations, we urge residents to exercise caution when making reservations, especially when this involves paying a deposit.