How to Avoid a Reservation Scam

Periodically we are flooded with booking requests I do not even bother to respond too. It is hard if you have an opening you would like to fill but blocking off dates for a scam that you decide not to honor as it evolves costs you time and possible legitimate rentals.

Scammers are getting smarter and Al isn't helping. There are sophisticated programs many large property managers use but most are out of the price range of our owners. The old simple, bad English is no longer the norm. It still exists but now there are other things to watch for too. Here is a list of things to look for if you think you might be dealing with a scammer, followed by suggested ways to handle a scammer. Please remember we are not attorneys here - these lists are our observations and best suggestions but we don't guarantee they will spot all scammers or that all emails with these characteristics are scams.

Spotting a SCAM inquiry:

1. Poor or unusual English: Still something the less sophisticated scammers are using. Easy to spot, especially if the email address is from the UK as the Brits should have good English. Email is not properly formatted. It just doesn't look correct or it's written in haste. either way: ie: Kindly check if we can use 3 nights or I await your swift response
2. Inquiries that want to send a check but then explain the check was too much and ask for money back or if they want to send you more than requested and have you send the surplus to a third party. • Checks are not always that safe. Though your local bank will "clear" a foreign check or money order in about 2 weeks, the European banks can take 4 months to clear and report a scam. When your bank finally hears back - they will then take the money from your account and you are left holding the bag. Even credit cards charges can be protested and reversed as long as the process is begun within 3 months from the original statement. • NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM, or any other wire service — anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
3. Non Specific Dates: emails without specific dates - especially those without an explanation are suspect.
4. More information provided than usual.
5. A request for you to communicate offsite. 
6. Requests for dates that are already blocked: This does not necessarily mean it is a scam but your listing does not appear in searches for dates that are not available. Request could be legit and renter found your unit while looking thru a resort or one of our pre filled Popular Vacation Types from the front page. Still owners who actually take the time to look at your listing can usually find photos, calendar, pricing easily and will move on if the calendar is already blocked. If they are legit they will likely need more care and handling than I want to give.
7. Inquiries that refer to "this condo" rather than a specific condo number or name.
8. Person requesting the reservation is not the person who is paying or will not be staying. For example, a friend booking a surprise get-away or a professional travel agent. Owners are given believable explanations as to why a different name appears on the payment methods.
9. Rquests to update credit card information or send money to a new account
10. Calls pressuring you to act quickly or risk cancellation
11. Inquiries sent to more than 12 different listings on one rental site (when we see this we will block the email)

Ways to Protect your self from a Scammer:

1. Use a Bank Transfer to collect foreign funds. •
• Much less expensive than a credit card ($40 or less for each party) In Europe, most folks use their BANKER to provide credit and name check so they will be happy to provide you with their bank name. Don't use an address or phone number they supply unless you can verify on line or through your bank that the number is actually for the bank and the bank is legit.
• Europeans are also very comfortable with bank to bank transfers. When you say this is your only option - legitimate folks will be fine with it - the scam artist will not. You simply contact your bank for routing info for an INCOMING foreign draft - Most banks have one of the large banks act as a clearing house for foreign transfers so you will have slightly different instructions than you are used to for US transfers. These turn out to be less expensive than Credit card fees. Costs to you run from $10-$40 DEPENDING on the banks involved.
• International wires use the following instruction (Chase Bank is the one my bank uses for foreign transactions so I have used their codes as samples): Chase Bank: Swift code: CHASUS33; Rt: 021000021; For credit to YOUR BANK NAME; Account: 68113; FFC: Your name and account number
2. Refer folks inquiring about availability to your listing calendar to confirm your availability and pricing Our website has an easy tool to “Get an Instant Quote” once dates are known. It is only as accurate as the info you have added it site set up.
3. IF the possible scammer has provided an address - use google maps to look it up - amazing how many are vacant lots or storage facilities
4. Do a keyword search. Googling is one of your best defenses. Google the address, Google people’s names and phone numbers, Google even chunks of descriptive text in the ad to see if it’s been copied from elsewhere. It is apparently a common routine to simply lift real ads, copy them onto a new Web site and lower the prices. Check for previous scams. Search Web sites like Scamwarners.com or Scam.com to see if people have reported similar scams. 

COVID-19 Cleaning and Guest Support Guidance

Welcome "home" to MAUI!! A very Safe place to be.

In Hawaii we are fortunate to have had an extremely low COVID-19 experience in our population. The testing and quarantine measures in place for travelers and our low incidence of the virus make the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 while here much lower than most other places and make Hawaii a very safe place to be. We encourage Guests & Staff to show their Aloha and follow safe practices to help us maintain this record.

We want you to know the extra steps we have taken in our covid-19 cleaning process to insure your Maui home is a safe haven. During the course of the pandemic, each of our units will have info on safety measures for our guests. The enhanced cleaning procedures suggested below are guidelines we have presented to our member owners to aid them & their staff in decision making. Each owner operates their own business. We do not dictate but do keep them informed. Keeping our team and guests safe is a primary concern for us all. 

We are proactive owners of private apartments, condos & villas that many of us occupy ourselves part of the year. Mālama (to care for or to serve in the Hawaiian Language) is a deep seeded value we all extend to our guests. We are not large hotels with many visitors passing through. We have always had a high standard for cleaning our homes. With the onset of COVID-19 and following the advice of the Hawaii Department of Health, CDC, WHO and EPA we have enhanced a few of our cleaning process to insure a safe environment for our staff and visitors. Our processes will continue to be reassessed using the most current guidelines and information on how the virus spreads.

Many of you have chosen a Short Term (Transient) Vacation Rental over a Hotel because of the extra space, home like feel, kitchen facilities and added privacy. In addition we have a lower environmental footprint than hotels, use less resources, water, & electricity. We don’t demand the volume of guests that large hotels require and the money spent stays local. You help support our local economy. Mahalo for your choice.   

You can expect the deep and regular cleaning of our condos to exceed CDC guidelines, including basic cleaning using EPA-approved disinfectant and for some, electrostatic spraying, UVC light or iWave technology as an additional layer of protection. In many of our homes when a/c is run, we keep the air clean by providing air filtration, which removes 99.9% of in-air particles including viruses, and refreshes the condo air every 30 minutes or less. Ask your owner.   

It is clear most of us will no longer be accepting back to back stays and without extra air cleaning methods we will need to provide at least 24 hours between stays. We all must adjust our expectations for how long a job will take and what it will cost and accept it will cost more. The use of UVC lights or iWave technology in a room, Central AC or SPLIT system or electrostatic disinfectant sprayers can help reduce the time to safely allow access for a cleaner after a stay and to clean and disinfect our condos. As time goes on and the CDC’s guidelines change and tracking and testing show we are not as in danger of spread, we will amend these suggestions or apply them only to units where a guest has shown positive for COVID-19 at some time during their stay.

For those of you being informed your stay at one of our condos will need to be shortened in order to prepare your condo properly and who do not wish to spend one day less in paradise, check with your owner - we have made arrangements for discounted one night stays a several hotels on island. Pack your swim & sleep gear on top, take a deep breath and relax - save the shopping and organizing for day 2.

This guide for "Enhanced Covid-19 Cleaning" is based on updated resources from the CDC, WHO & the EPA and a review of cleaning checklists from leading vacation rental & hospitality sources. We will continually monitor CDC recommendations and update our policies and procedures as recommended.

Enhanced COVID-19 Cleaning Guidance

• Cleaners should
• do a temperature check prior to entering a condo to clean and should not report to work if they have any symptoms COVID 19 
• CDC Self Checker. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html 
• Wash/sanitize hands prior to entering a condo and again when exiting. Best recommended hand washing uses soap & water 
• Wear a mask & gloves when entering a unit, moving, pillows, removing linens, towels from bed, bath etc 
• Longer cleaning times are expected with appropriate increase in pay. 
• FIRST STEP: Thorough cleaning including molding, ceiling fans and drapes, with CDC approved household cleaners & disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface
• Remove all magazines, tour guides, etc left by departing guest. 
• Wash hands or replace gloves after cleaning each room to prevent cross contamination if present. 
• On porous surfaces use a vacuum with HEPA filter to remove visible contamination if present and, if needed, clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces prior to spraying with disinfectant 
• Do not sweep floors with a broom; instead use a vacuum cleaner (with Hepa filter) 
• Bedding & towels should not be shaken but bagged for cleaning off site or immediately laundered as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. 
• After each guest stay, properly clean all appliances and kitchen areas, including refrigerator shelving, the oven stovetop, coffee-makers, toasters, etc. 
• Clean/disinfect cleaning tools a guest might use. 
•  DISINFECT/SANITIZE: After cleaning, disinfect all surfaces with appropriate EPA-registered disinfectants . Use of an electrostatic sprayer using Hypochlorous Acid is recommended as it is safe for asthmatics and can be safely sprayed on surfaces where food is handled without requiring rinsing.
• Use extra sanitization on frequently touched areas (thermostats, key pads, door knobs, appliance handles/knobs, phones, sink and toilet handles, railings, keypads, hangers,etc) as recommended by the CDC guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting. 
• Service requests should be considered with regard for the safety of maintenance providers and guests. To limit exposure, defer nonessential maintenance while the rental unit is occupied and handle only emergency or urgent issues as allowed by applicable law where possible.
• Ensure that any HVAC/air filters have been replaced per the manufacturer’s directions. Consider whether more regular replacement of the filters is necessary. Use high filtration efficiency filters. Do not touch the surface of used air filters and remove and dispose of them with minimal disturbance using disposable gloves. 
• Coronaviruses naturally die in hours to days in typical indoor and outdoor environments. Viruses are killed more quickly by warmer temperatures and sunlight.
• If an area has not been occupied for 7 days - REGULAR CLEANING is all that is needed 
• If an area is outside: Maintain regular cleaning standards  

Please note, during the course of the pandemic; for protection of our guests and to comply with CDC guidelines requiring us to wash all linens, pots, pans, plates, utensils, etc whether used or not after each stay, the unit may no longer be provided with the extra linens and kitchen supplies many have come to expect in our condos. Same with magazines, books & tour pamphlets. We apologize and hope for your understanding during this limited time. Lists of food & equipment delivery services, activities that can be done in smaller groups and one time use items are provided. For your convenience, some of us have added disposable gloves, a few masks, & portable hand sanitizer to your welcome basket.

GUIDELINES FOR GUESTS to prevent getting ill

Condo cleaning tips for Guests https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html 

1. Follow "social distancing” guidelines, including avoiding overcrowding of units.
2. Maintain good hydration.
3. Wear masks in stores or outdoors and when you may come within 6’ of someone else.
4. Wash hands frequently, especially if you've ventured outdoors and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
5. When using common areas such as pools, activity courts, beach gates use the provided sanitizer and follow posted rules.
6. Read the list of guidelines & precautions provided in your unit ( It is advisable that each condo owner supply a list of precautions for guests to follow when they sign in.)
7. Visit the Maui County Covid-19 website for newest guidelines and openings https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information

Resources

Come back - watch this space as we add resources we have found.

$250 gift Certificate for Groceries (includes free delivery for stays of 21 days or longer thru mid December)

For those wishing a 10% discount on an electrostatic sprayer and dispenser which makes HypoChlorous ACID from water/salt/vinegar & electricity, and is used in California schools..

 use the code MOC19 when purchasing at (website no longer active 2024)

Prepare for your trip - understand Hawaii.

Every destination has its own set of unwritten rules regarding cultural etiquette. Hawai‘i is no different. MOC joins HTA & HVCB in sharing the do’s and don’ts with visitors for their time in the Hawaiian Islands

Maui Travel Tips: Culture, https://youtu.be/g-E-YsNZJuY

Maui Travel Tips: Ocean Conservation, https://youtu.be/5_AKQS1WFxM

Maui Travel Tips: Ocean Safety, https://youtu.be/rRJVx4Uzkx0

Purchasing a Maui Vacation Rental?

My husband and I first stepped into the Maui, Hawaii vacation rental condo business in 1999 when we wanted help carrying the cost of our new condo at Wailea Ekahi Village and then again the next year when we bought a second condo at Maui Kamaole (which is the Kihei property that seems to me to give the feel of higher end Wailea).

We thought we might re-coop all but about $500 per month of our costs by renting on our own and were surprised that we actually made a profit ($1000 per month) on each condo in the first year of operation. This did not include our remodel costs but we did earn enough to pay for them within a few years. This would not have been true had we chosen a full management company option as they take from 20-50% of your income and many have hidden costs as well. We currently own 2 properties in Wailea Ekahi Village on Maui, Hawaii and rent three others for friends… our model is very successful.

Luckily I wanted to play an active role in our rentals and we entered this market as search engines were beginning to be used to find vacation rental condos. I was knowledgeable in several web creation languages (HTML, CSS, PHP) and worked in SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION so I created our websites and became pretty good at using photoshop and taking photos.

With this knowledge we believed we could successfully advertise our condo inexpensively on-line but since we planned on using the condo as our home away from home, a well-maintained property and thus housekeeping and repair staff were a must. A remodel was also badly needed.

We have learned a lot in the past 12 years and are looking forward to passing on this hard won knowledge to you. Among other things, the articles authored by me on this blog will talk about how to identify a condo property that will rent easily and create a positive cash flow, how to find an on site manager and/or housekeeping service, picking the right contractor for your remodel, decorating for comfort, style and rentals, filing taxes and getting the proper licenses, where to spend your advertising dollar and more.

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