Doing business on the Internet carries some risk. Be cautious, use common sense, and practice safe habits when using the services we provide. Read the descriptions of common scams below and be aware of how thieves operate. With knowledge, you can protect yourself. If you feel you've been the target of a scam, let us know about it.

Overpayment Scam:
A scammer may offer to pay much more than your asking price with a money order or cashiers check. The scammer will ask you to cash the check or money order and send him back the extra money.

The money order or check seems authentic, so you deposit it. A few days later, your bank tells you the check or money order was fake and demands you pay the entire amount back.

The check or money order may have been stolen or forged, but was never really authorized by any bank. You've now lost the money you've sent to the scammer and owe the bank money to cover for the bad check or money order.

Phishing/Vishing Scams:
You may receive an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank or from an online payment service like PayPal, requesting account verification (phishing). When you click a link in the message, you arrive at a Web site that looks exactly like your bank's site or PayPal's site. There, you're told to enter sensitive information, like your PIN number or the three security numbers from that back of your credit card. This information is then captured and used for identity theft purposes.

To prevent this, simply ignore e-mail that looks like it's coming from your bank or from PayPal. Instead, go directly to the Web site in question and log in to view your account.

Similar scams are sometimes perpetrated over the phone (vishing), often using hard-to-trace Internet phone numbers. Never give out credit or other personal information to someone who has called you. Instead, get your bank's phone number from the credit card in question and call them and ask about the supposed problem.

Stopping SPAM
"SPAMbots" scour the Web looking for and recording e-mail addresses, so it's best to keep your e-mail address private. Although GVRL does give you the option to do so, there's no need to include your e-mail address on your vacation rental listing. Instead, let prospective renters use the "Make an Inquiry" form on the site to reach you. If you use your e-mail to accept inquiries on your Web site, consider creating your own Web site with My VR Site. With My VR Site, you get an inquiry form you can use to keep your e-mail address private.

The Old Advice is Good Advice
Trust your instincts. If you think you're being scammed, try to stay calm and keep your wits about you. Sometimes, we're most vulnerable when we get emotional. Be skeptical and remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

A Final Word
Please remember that GVRL does not control the information provided by people who use this service. You may find other people's advertising or postings to be offensive, harmful, inaccurate or deceptive. There are risks of dealing with underage persons or people acting under false pretense. Additionally, there may also be risks dealing with international transactions and foreign nationals. By using the services we provide, you agree to accept such risks and GVRL is not responsible for the acts or omissions of users of our services.