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MCSO: Rental scam nets $70K | KeysNews.com
John Williams was arrested recently for fraudulently renting properties. He was charged with multiple fraud-related counts. Monroe County Sheriffs Office detectives said the Tavernier resident set up several vacation home rental websites and used multiple business names and identities while fraudulently renting properties to people desiring to visit the Keys for periods of a week or longer. However, detectives said he also legitimately managed several homes with a company called Vacation Rental Properties. He used the aliases David Osborne, Gary Sharon Delich, and Doug Collins.
Hopefully this can be a reminder that rental transactions also carry risk. Renters should always verify the existence of a true escrow account, or try to use an independent third party escrow agent whenever possible. There are a number of closing agents that offer simple rental escrow for $100. You can also reduce your risk by paying with a credit card (check with your cc company as to guidelines and timeframes when you can file a dispute) or by purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes vendor default.
John Williams was arrested recently for fraudulently renting properties. He was charged with multiple fraud-related counts. Monroe County Sheriffs Office detectives said the Tavernier resident set up several vacation home rental websites and used multiple business names and identities while fraudulently renting properties to people desiring to visit the Keys for periods of a week or longer. However, detectives said he also legitimately managed several homes with a company called Vacation Rental Properties. He used the aliases David Osborne, Gary Sharon Delich, and Doug Collins.
Hopefully this can be a reminder that rental transactions also carry risk. Renters should always verify the existence of a true escrow account, or try to use an independent third party escrow agent whenever possible. There are a number of closing agents that offer simple rental escrow for $100. You can also reduce your risk by paying with a credit card (check with your cc company as to guidelines and timeframes when you can file a dispute) or by purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes vendor default.
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