Anyone ever stayed at this Apt in Paris? How do you know its not a scam?
 

I think this is a lovely apartment in Paris for me and my daughter for a week and a great price BUT I am not sure how to tell if this is real or a scam. It is wire transfer for payment. How can I make sure this is real?

Apartment address: 115 boulevard saint germain ,paris. Two bedroom, lovely looking from this posting on craigslist.

http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/2203108386.html

I've never rented using Craigslist and can't say whether there is a higher incidence of scamming on that website than others. However, I think most people use sites like www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com for rentals directly from owners. Those websites generally have reviews from previous renters and often calendars that show availability. You can also search on this forum and find a ton of recommendations on Paris apartment rental agencies.

Here's the same apartment on a legitimate agency website: http://www.franceforrent.com/stgerma...ce/index.shtml

Are these the people who answered your e-mail?

Don't ever wire money--even craigslist warns not to do that. You can do a back transfer but that's different.

Me thinks the Craigslist posting is a scam. 3,000+E per week does not translate to 115E per day. Email the site cw said and see what they say.

I have stayed at this apt. for the last 3 years. We will again this summer.

See: Nadine Giblin

Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre/Opera

E-mail : [email protected]

Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com

There is another tread posted about using Craig's list for apartments - see below in "Travel Tips & Trip Ideas". The link didn't copy, sorry.

CRAIGSLIST: Beware of Paris & London apartment rental scams (x-post) Posted by: GiuliaPiraino on Jan 28, 11 at 3:04pm
Posted in: Travel Tips & Trip Ideas

Tagged: Booking and Planning

not quite sure what you mean by 'the link didn't copy'-- here it is

http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...t-170861-2.cfm

meant to add - I'd never (EVER) use Craig's list to rent a holiday flat

115 euros for that apartment in that location ? If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is too good to be true.

This one has SCAM written all over it. Proceed with extreme caution.

-Kevin

I would never rent a vacation apt off Craigslist, either. I don't know stats, of course, but I'd say there has to be a higher percentage of scams on Criagslist than anywhere else, of course. It is known for that for all kinds of things being sold because it has so little oversight (and it is free). Anyone can post an ad on there with no scrutiny or paying, of course scammers are going to use it.

Why would you rent from a website like that when there are so many legitimate ones. VRBO doesn't guarantee much and is not an agency, but at least it's a step above Craigslist.

"<i>VRBO doesn't guarantee much</i>"

vrbo does have insurance/guarantees. Not 100% but waaaaaay more secure than craigslist. http://guarantee.homeaway.com/vrbo/

The last place I'd go to to rent an apartment in Paris would be Craigslist. That said, the requirement for a wire transfer would not put me off. It's how many of us engaged in international transactions these days do business.

StCirq, just curious, did you ask for a bank transfer or a Western Union transfer? Lately, all I've read is not to do Western Union transfers because that's what the scammers use. I've not faced this situation so it's a theoretical question.

At least we know that renting from Craigslist is not advisable--no matter what.

just curious, did you ask for a bank transfer or a Western Union transfer? Lately, all I've read is not to do Western Union transfers because that's what the scammers use.</i>"

A wire transfer is totally legit. NEVER EVER do a Western Union Transfer.

Should have said >>a wire transfer is a totally legit way to send money -- doesn't necessarily mean the recipient is legit.<<

Since the apartment has otherwise been identified without Craigslist, and others have vouched for it, can't the OP contact the landlord directly without using the Craigslist contact info? That should be pretty safe.

Yes, but the legit listing shows a much higher rate than on CL. I think the concern is that someone highjacked the apartment info to list on CL and is trying to get the rental $$ fraudulently.

So the OP should perhaps contact the owners via their real website, ask if the CL ad is legitimate and if they can book that rate. If the owners say, "that's not a real ad," then let the owners deal with it being fake.

"So the OP should perhaps contact the owners via their real website, ask if the CL ad is legitimate and if they can book that rate. If the owners say, "that's not a real ad," then let the owners deal with it being fake."

Exactly what I think the OP should do.

janisj: I guess I was using the term "bank" transfer for "wire" transfer. I know those are safe, with your caveat about the legitimate recipient.

I wasn't clear from the OP what exactly was asked of her given the circumstances. Hope we hear what happens.

In 2006, we used Paris Perfect for a stay in the 7th Arondissment - and again for a rental in Normandy. They spoke English and the whole experience was easy and top notch. I highly recommend them.