From time to time, vacation rentals websites have been used to promote a "Counterfeit Cashier's Check Scam". For your own protection, please read this in it's entirety for explanations of variations of these scams and how to help protect yourself.
Please remember that all monetary transactions involve risk and if anything seems out of the ordinary, it might warrant extra scrutiny. The specific scams we have been alerted to go something like this:
Variation 1:
- Cashier's check is offered for deposit/rent.
- Value of cashier's check exceeds the actual price - renter asks you to wire/send the balance back.
- Banks will cash the fake cashier's check, release the funds to your account, AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK IS LATER DETERMINED TO BE FAKE.
Variation 2:
- Cashier's check is offered for deposit/rent.
- Value of cashier's check is the correct amount, however the renter immediately cancels and asks you to wire/send the balance back (and keep a rebooking fee for the cancellation).
- Banks will cash the fake cashier's check, release the funds to your account, AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK IS LATER DETERMINED TO BE FAKE.
Remember, counterfeit cashier's checks are usually cashed by your bank and the funds are released to you. It might take many days before the bank determines it is fake and holds you responsible for the amount. You should also never accept a cashier's check for an amount more than is owed to you. If you receive a cashier's check, please do not immediately issue any refund to a renter until you verify the check is valid. Please contact your bank for more information on confirming the validity of a cashier's check, especially if it is of international origin.
If you feel like you have been the victim of fraud on the Internet, please contact your local law enforcement. In the United States, you may also file a complaint of Internet fraud with the FBI and NW3C at http://www.ifccfbi.gov .
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