I reserved a place in St. Thomas on Booking.com. I am wondering if I am being scammed. We are going on our trip in February. The place I reserved says "you'll be charged a prepayment of the total price of the reservation within 2 days of arrival." I was not charged anything when I booked - but had to enter my credit card. Then for a cancellation policy it says "You can cancel for free until 2 days before arrival. You'll be charged the total price of the rerservation if you cancel within 2 days of arrival. If you don't show up, the no-show fee will beh the same as the cancellation fee."

We are not planning on canceling, however, I booked this place purposely due to not taking payment now and a great cancelation policy (in case any one gets sick, etc). However, when I booked it - I was a bit worried because they were new to booking.com. They have 1 review (a good one) on either vrbo or airbnb. But thats all....1 review that I can find.

Anyway....the owner messages me today wanting my e-mail address and says he needs payment asap via Zelle, Paypal, or Venmo. I found that odd because I assumed my card would be charged two days prior to the stay. He then continued to call, message, text, and leave voicemails for me today. I probably received 15-20 messages/texts/etc. from him today. I responded back to a couple questions (e-mail address and letting him know I didn't have Zelle) but have not paid anything yet. When I told him that prepayment is not due until 2 days prior. He told me that "You can cancel and get a full refund up to 3 days before. But I still need to ensure the credit card is good and payment is good before then. I am obligated to refund the money if you cancel though."

Something seems fishy? I wonder if he has other interest in the property (people who want to stay longer than us) so he is making sure we are actually going to stay. Or if he desperately needs money NOW to make his payment. Or if we are being scammed?

Help!!! I think I'll cancel the reservation? Does this seem weird to you?

It seems very weird to me. I'd contact Booking.com and tell them what is going on. I would not send that guy a cent.

You have no protection for transfers of money or interactions outside of the platform. And it seems he's being very pushy which is a huge red flag to me.

I'd just say no and move on. Find something else, and report him to Booking.com.

I agree completely with Melnq8. Cancel & find another place. I’ve used booking.com & Airbnb for for many years, never had a situation like this. Yes, contact booking.com so there’s a record of the entire transaction then cancel. I couldn’t live with this sort of uncertainty in the run up to what’s supposed to be a relaxing time. And, yes, never ever send money outside whatever platform you’ve used for the booking or other than with a credit card that provides protection.

Cancel.
Probably some dishonet employee got a list of forthcoming reservations.

Just no. That is not the contract you entered into through booking.com. Let booking.com know, send them “copies” of the correspondence you received and cancel the booking.

Something sort of similar happened to me (not the same resort -- not even in the Caribbean). But I started getting emails to pay even though my booking clearly stated pay at property and was cancelable up to 72 hours because the cc on file wasn't good. The first e-mail looked legit and appeared to come via Booking, and I did have a credit card recently replaced due to detected fraudulent activity. I tried to respond then thought better of it and called the hotel - a major chain near LHR. They assured my my booking was fine and it sounded like a scam. Over the next few days I received 7 or 8 more emails - some looking like regular Booking correspondence and a couple from an obvious fishy e-mail address. Then I got an e-mail from the hotel about recent reports of inappropriate demands for payment and to please disregard any e-mails asking for advance payment and that both the hotel and Booking were investigating. Stayed at the hotel as booked and they took payment on departure as expected and nothing else transpired.

If this is an independent property (not part of a major hotel chain) absolutely cancel and find another property. Which might be difficult at this late date

If it IS part of a larger hotel company -- maybe contact the chain first to make sure one way or the other

It is a scam.The only question IMHO is whether it is a rogue employee or a rogue organisation. No reputable organisation will harass a customer with that number of messages. I have used booking.com literally hundreds of times to book stays all around the world and have experienced nothing like this. I nearly always make a point of booking full refundable deals with payment on arrival and only with business established for a few years on booking.com. I always avoid the new kids on the block!. The exception being South African where the majority usually require part payment in advance. Haven't been to the Carribean in year so don't know what the current practice is.

Under no circumstances give out your email address or make any form of payment. I would cancel the booking and lodge a complaint with with booking.com. I would also contact your cc provider and notify them of a potentially fraudulent transaction.

Check out availability for a replacement property asap and check those reviews carefully. Good luck!

Well it seems ever stranger than just this... but when I first read your first post... I know that I would never book anywhere new on a site and with only one review.

{received 15-20 messages}

That is NOT a normal way to do business. I've rented condos quite a few times (Mexico not the Caribbean) and have never had anything like this.

Since you have not paid yet I would cancel immediately. And watch that your charge card doesn't have anything fishy on it.