If you are going to rent a holiday home, read these 7 tips from DECO PROTeste, shared on Notícias ao Minuto, to book safely and avoid scams. (URLs not translated)

Pay attention and plan your summer without risks:

1. Be suspicious if it's cheap

Always be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, like houses with very low prices that are, for example, very well decorated or equipped and have a privileged view of the sea.

If the offer is truly attractive, you should compare identical offers in the same location and, if necessary, ask to visit the house. Think twice if you notice any resistance from the owner. Excuses like living abroad are common.

Search on various platforms.

The commissions charged to owners vary depending on the platform, and the same apartment can be advertised on several different websites with different prices. Look for the best deal. Remember to check if the websites are secure before proceeding.

Visit the property

If you become aware of the property through a newspaper ad, online platform or social network, or direct contact, if possible, it is advisable to visit it first. Sometimes, the photos create a different image from what you will find.

Do not give in to pressure

"A sign that you may be a target of a scam is if they pressure you to make a quick decision, for example, with the argument that they have other interested parties and that you should make the payment to secure the reservation. Take as much time as you need until you feel confident with the deal."

Confirm before paying

Before giving a signal to reserve the house for holidays through the internet, confirm: holidays.

In an internet search, check for similar ads with the same photos or reports of fraud regarding that ad.

The truthfulness of the advertised, requesting other photos of the interior of the housing, in addition to those advertised, and asking about the equipment or associated services.

The identity of the advertiser or the person you have been contacting by email or phone (for example, advertising profiles on social networks with very recent records on the platform, and with few "friends," are a warning sign).

If the identity of the bank account holder to deposit matches the advertiser's. When making a transfer, first confirm the account holder's name;

If the advertiser has a foreign bank account;

If the mobile contact provided remains active since the first contact (you can simulate a new call to reserve the property for the same period and confirm if it is still available);

If you make a payment and receive an email or message indicating that there was a problem and the money did not reach its destination, confirm the situation with the bank before making a new payment. It may be a scheme to try to get you to pay the amount a second time. If you suspect fraud, cancel the payment order immediately. Fortunately, the scammer may not receive the money.

If you do not obtain user profile validation during the registration process on the online platform, do not proceed to pay for any house reservation, nor authorize payments with a credit card.

Always be suspicious when asked for payment via check, cash, or money transfer services. In some situations, victims may be asked to pay half of the amount in the first contact.

Advertise if running poorly.

When the house does not correspond to what was advertised (through photos or lodging conditions, for example), you should request the physical complaint book, which local accommodation establishments are required to have.

In case of complaint, the original copy of the form is sent to the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), the entity responsible for enforcing the law. The owner of the local accommodation is also required to have on their website (if they have one), in a visible and prominent place, access to the digital platform that provides an electronic format of the complaint book. The main advantage of this method of complaining is to facilitate the submission of a complaint anywhere and at any time, even if you have already left the location where the events that led to the complaint occurred. Furthermore, the response is quicker, as it must be issued within 15 days.

From tourists there is the obligation not to damage the property and equipment and to deliver the property as found.

Report the mockery.

"If you realize you have been scammed, immediately report the case to the police authorities, armed with all the documentation you have gathered: ad, emails, photographs, and proof of payment."

You must report it to the Public Security Police (PSP) or the Republican National Guard (GNR).

If the mockery is online, you can also make a report via email to the Cybercrime Office of the Public Prosecutor's Office ([email protected]).

You can also report online scams to the National Cybersecurity Center ([email protected]), although this communication does not constitute a formal complaint.

If you have made a payment, report the scam to your bank."

Stay attentive to more informative content before going on summer vacation, through Poupança no Minuto:

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