George W. Bush tried to take a vacation this week at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C.

But the current residents told him that they never rented it out and have no intention of leaving the place for the next four years.

Anybody who wires money or sends a check to an address before getting their goods is asking to be scammed. Real sites use credit cards, which have policies to protect the cardmember.

'Nuff said?

I've used VRBO twice with excellent results. Guess I've been lucky. The article gives me something to think about.

Credit Cards?? Sounds like a good way to protect yourself... just being aware of this new scam is going to hurt the rental market. You really need to do your homework before entering an agreement on the internet.

My buddy just lost $1200 to a scammer... no product delivered. If you are buying on the internet, be very careful.. and don't use paypal to receive payment.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Kudos to Mr. Chase for going to the police and for trying to get this scam shut down. This is so wrong!

This really is a damn shame. I rent an apartment located at my house in the Virgin Islands and use Craig List. By carefully sorting out the replies, I have several years of wonderful visitors. I communicate fully, send photos, answer questions and offer a rental car company as both a resource and a reference on my rental. I ask for 50% be sent, by check, to reserve the property, to my Post Office Box.

These sort of scams, while they represent a minuscule percentage of rentals, drag the entire owner/visitor rental market down.

Do your homework, demand an independent reference on the property but please don't assume all rentals are scams. You can experience a wonderful place to stay at a huge discount over hotel properties. If it is a scam and you are smart, you can smoke it out!!!

Ultimately, the source of the problem is an internet posting service; such as Craigslist & eBay, that has been the center of several fatalities, assaults, and too many to count frauds. They have the means, if they were so cheap and lazy to hire one or two employees to do a little scrutiny, to filter out the bulk of fraudulent posts. But the don't. Because that might shave a few dollars off the outrageous bonuses of the top executives of each of these corporations.

These sites, such as Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO) have worked well for me - both as a landlord and a renter. But then again, you have to be realistic and reasonable.

1. If someone says, "The e-mail connection here is broken, contact me at (another e-mail address)" it is the same as eBay scams - they want to complete the transaction outside of the system, to avoid the checks and balances that are there.

2. Is their phone number in the local area code? If not, ask why. And overseas numbers - forgetaboutit! Walk away from "stories" why they cannot provide more information, referrals, etc.

3. Don't wire money - it cannot be retrieved once wired. Use a credit card for a deposit (you can contest the charge later) and never give more than a deposit in advance. Pay the full amount upon occupancy, not before.

4. Does it sound too good to be true? Are they renting the house for less than half of comparable rentals? It is like those cars on craigslist that are listed for half-price. There is no car, it is a SCAM. You are not getting a "bargain" you are getting ripped-off.

And #4 is the problem right there - most people still believe in "Something for nothing" and think they are beating the system. Get out of that mindset and you will do a lot better in life.

The Internet is a great tool. But it does require some common sense.

Thanks MSNBC for cranking up the fear, uncertainty and doubt. (FUD).

A gullible human is born ever second.

I've used VRBO numerous times without a hitch. If this were a VRBO listing the people would have been insured against their loss as long as they made the transaction through the site and registered it with VRBO.

These scams were going on before the internet became the primary source of travel information, using old fashioned classified ads. The fact is that its harder to get away with scamming travelers than it ever was, because if you are not offering what you are advertising, you will be called out on Trip Advisor or one of the other review sites. Some of the "advice" given here makes no sense. There is nothing suspect about having a phone number in the country where your property is located. We have vacation rentals in Panama, and we have phone numbers both in Panama and the USA, courtesy of VOIP. We have many reviews on Trip Advisor and we get most of our business from VRBO, Home Away, and a local web portal. We do not accept credit cards, but guests may send a deposit using a credit card via paypal. If someone wants to know where we are, they can find us on Google Earth. They can get far more information direct from us (and from previous guests via TripAdvisor) than they would ever get from a travel agent. Sure, its possible to be scammed, but only if you are incredibly stupid.

"I saw it on the Internet(s). So it must be true."

I feel bad for the people that keep getting scammed. Everyone here needs to learn the two most important rules of the Internet:

Consider the source then trust but verify.

The posts offer good suggestions. A few more:

1. Consider renting a condo unit from the owner, then check the property to make sure they are the owner of that block of time or outright.

2. Consider the number of references and how far back they go. Everybody has to start and be no references at one point, and few or no references does not by itself mean "bad". But with many genuine positive references over time, you also get experience and things may run very smoothly.

3. Check the ownership through the tax records of the county. By those records, if it ain't them, it ain't them.

4. You may wish to consider consider VBRO, Redweek (small annual fee), Homeaway, GreatRentals. and TripAdvisor; this is not an endorsement and I have no affiliation with them, other than I have used them for search, rentals, features, and competitive market pricing and location, and have been pleased.

They won't make 100% certain you will be ok, but this is their business, they have a track record, they place a substantial volume of work, and are established. A personal choice, but I do not use e-bay or Craig's List for any transaction of this kind.

4. Rental agents will have a commission tacked on, usually already in the price. But they perform a valuable service. They get paid by the seller, so they have an incentive (as do you) in making sure the renter is legit. They can advise you on location and preferable property. Many would prefer you are satisfied (and perhaps use them again--and if it's the same property, another commission but no work each year you come back) than just rent the property with the highest price and commission.

Your time and vacation opportunities are limited, so to me the commission part is relatively small, especially where I have not already been to the place and the cost of transportation to get there, the rental cost, food, amenities and the rest. Consider agents with lots of experience in the area, and perhaps lots of listings (if they place them) on the web.

TIP: be as specific as possible (if you know) on price, location, bedrooms, baths, view, distance to the beach/town/attractions/etc.--or you can begin by asking in general if you're not sure.

Check the amenities the owner offers can make a big difference, such as: parking; see photos; if internet WiFi, desktop terminal available and any cost; microwave vs. full kitchen; bikes; ski-in/ski-out; condition of property; what the owner supplies vs. what you have to bring (linens, detergent for a week etc vs. coffee the first night and get-your-own-filters- buddy--which is not terrible, since you can pack a week of sweet 'n-low and paper towels etc. to take with you if you know). Agents can also provide you with printed material, recommendations or sources (in addition to your own consideration of the internet) so you can plan and have the most enjoyment (but NOT necessarily jam-packed. Relax! You're on vacation.

Tell the agent your level of experience with the area and you greatly appreciate their professional advice. Try to get choices, compare them yourself, and ask their opinion. Remember: you don't want just NOT to get cheated, but to YES enjoy yourselves and feel fulfilled that it all came off right. You'll be a hero to your family (but probably already are!)

Conclusion

My interest in writing is the hope that a few thoughts can make vacation as special and memorable as possible--as special for you as my most memorable times have been as a child, and with my children and family. And remember: Hawaii, the "paradise", is SO expensive and can be far as in" FAR"; if you don't like fog, don't go to New England and don't be disappointed if your flight is delayed; check the local tax rates, and what is included in the final price your owner is charging.

Have a nice time--and a safe trip. Best wishes.

Never send a money order to a PO box. If you send a money order, insist on a physical address.