I rented a house in Hilo on the Big Island through VRBO and loved it! I have also rented other places through websites and have had no problems with fraud. I think you have to be reasonable about square footage, sofabeds and who sleeps where before you rent any place. It is good to hear that VRBO has a complaint policy, too. I will save this thread for my next Paris rental. Another thought: check out the exterior and neighborhood on Pages Jaune. You can virtually walk up and down the street.