Photo Credit: Picture Perfect Pose
Carter Beach Properties, Inc., a Destin vacation rental company, was recently involved in a scam where fraudulent Internet posters claimed to be representatives of the company and posted fake Carter listings on other websites. These fake posts included photos taken from the legitimate Carter website, as well as fake contact information.
These scams can be equally harmful to the entity that owns the vacation rentals, as well as the vacationer. The main reason for the scam, as you may guess, is to get money from someone looking to pay money for a vacation rental. A victim of the fake company would then show up at a property with no reservations. Luckily, the Carter Beach Properties case was rare for Destin.
According to the Destin Log:
"'With some of the new technology, this sort of thing is very easy,' said Better Business Bureau communications director Karen Szulczewski. 'Sometimes the scam Web site looks better than the real thing. Just do your homework. There are so many safer ways. Once you wire the money, it is gone. There is more protection with a credit card. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.'"
If you're looking for a Destin vacation rental for spring break or any upcoming event, here are three solid ones to check out.
Club Destin
Private condos at Club Destin sleep up to four guests and offer free wireless Internet access. The property also features a 13,000 square foot enclosed atrium with a heated pool, and a 9-hole putting green. You have many different relaxation options in addition to the beach and water. During March and April, all guests must be at least 25 years old, so the younger spring break crowd shouldn't be partying around Club Destin.
Sterling Sands
A beachfront property, Sterling Sands is perfect for large groups. Two and three-bedroom condos sleep up to eight guests and other amenities include balconies, full kitchens, and wireless Internet access. Take a stroll to local restaurants and the Silver Sands outlet mall.
Beachside Inn
Known for its sparkling clean rooms, Beachside is the place to stay if you're looking for cozy accommodations nestled along a charming beach community. The soft sand, local shops, and water activities are all minutes from your condo. The property also is home to the famous Camille's restaurant where you'll want to indulge in a fresh seafood meal.
Staying aware of potential scams helps you avoid getting caught in them. It's always important to make sure that you're booking your stay from a legitimate company when you are browsing any vacation rentals, not just a Destin vacation rental.
