Siesta Key Rental Scams on Craigslist (Venice: condominium, credit card, to live in)

[Ladywithafan]

Please read the following:

$230 / 3br - Sandy beaches.This experience is waiting just for you (Siesta Key)



3BR / 2Ba condo available now

It is located in Siesta Key with incredible beaches, and tempting restaurants.

Go ahead spoil yourself in this lovely three bedroom, two bath condominium that sleeps 8. You will experience no freer feeling than the fresh air next to your skin or listening to the waves as they come crashing to the sandy beaches. This experience is waiting just for you.

The Pacific Ocean is very visible the master bedroom. Or you can even view the ocean from a rocking chair on the balcony. This condo location is perfect for enjoying the view or taking a walk o the beach.


...now did you read what I did? I had to go on CL as every once in a while we get calls from tourists who are either about to get scammed or find out that they were scammed when I explain to them how the reservation process actually works. So, if you're planning to rent a condo on the beach this winter, make sure you call the condo office or property management company that manages the property before you give out your credit card number. I know that sounds crazy but I have had people this past year show up & their reservation is invalid as it did not book through the office or our website.

[coastal chic]

Pacific Ocean, huh!?

Wow, I had no idea those blatant scams were actually out there.

[beninfl]

Oh, I could go on and on about people calling the Gulf of Mexico the ocean. At least they didnt call it the Atlantic Ocean.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Re the ocean off west Florida



Hubby used to live in St Pete with first wife. His grandmother came to visit. They took her to the beach which required crossing many causeways.

When they actually got to the beach, she said "I've been studying on this and I can't figure which way this water runs. If I went that way (pointing due west) where would I be? My husband and his daughter simultaneously answer "Texas".

She whacks my husband up the side of the head, and says "Now R______, don't you do me that way. I may not know much, but I know you don't have to cross no ocean to get to Texas."

[Ladywithafan]

C'mon now...Siesta key/Pacific Ocean...I don't think so. Do not book a beach rental w/o checking a map.

[Ladywithafan]

Update: I just received a call on this CL ad this afternoon ~ believe it or not & prospective guest missed "...the pacific ocean..." clarifier ~ I had them re-read it & then they "got" it.

[dpbarr2000]

$230 for a 3br condo on Siesta Key. Per night? Your post doesn't specify. How is that a scam, per se?

[macrodome2]

Originally Posted by dpbarr2000

$230 for a 3br condo on Siesta Key. Per night? Your post doesn't specify. How is that a scam, per se?

Read a little further: "The Pacific Ocean is very visible the master bedroom. Or you can even view the ocean from a rocking chair on the balcony."

I didn't know you could see the Pacific Ocean from Siesta Key. We should have bought there instead of Venice where you can only see the Gulf of Mexico.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by dpbarr2000

$230 for a 3br condo on Siesta Key. Per night? Your post doesn't specify. How is that a scam, per se?

This is a scam because the description including "the Pacific Ocean" plus photos are "off". Luckily yesterday's guest had enough sense to contact our reservation office directly.

IMO ~ contact the source before booking any kind of online vacation rental.

[dpbarr2000]

Ah, it's a scam because of the photos we can't see, and someone who doesn't live here full time mistakenly typed "pacific". Got it.