My husband and I and our daughter (family of four) made arrangements months ago to spend Christmas in Kauai in a rented home We paid the rent in full and booked our flights to Kauai from Seattle and Atlanta. We found out several hours ago that the rental is a fraud. Aside from any ideas on how to get our money back, can anyone think of something else we could do together for Christmas? We are a continent apart!

Sorry about that. Clearly the best option is to find something else available on Kauai. VRBO.com now allows you to search by availability date. While there will be limited pickings, you may be able to find something, even if you have to split the week between 2 places.

Can you explain more about the rental being a fraud?

Also, I agree with Brian - find something else on Kauai. You might be able to get a really good deal at this point.

Best,
Lisa

Travel writer Peter Greenberg said today that Aston Hotels has a twelve days of Christmas in Hawaii special going on right now. Perhaps their Kauai hotel has availability at a discounted price.

My daughter rented the home from a vacation rental company that apparently is no longer in business. She had seen the same house on another vacation website, but went with the other company which was cheaper. Today when she wanted to ask some questions about the house she tried to contact the company the reservation was thru and when that didn't work she called other company. They didn't know what she was talking about; they had no reservations in her name.

What is thename of the vacation rental company she rented through? Maybe someone has some insight on the company

If your daughter charged the rental amount, contest it with the credit card.

If she used a check, see who cashed it and see about contact them and have the cancelled check as proof of payment.

I would also check on VRBO for places to say. We were very happy with our rentals.

Utahtea

I would also try airbnb.com for rentals.

http://www.lastminutetravel.com/

Bad news! I hope she paid with a credit card. If not, lesson learned: always use your credit card. Unless it was a scam, and they required certified funds.

www.kauaisandshotel.com

Try to go and enjoy your vacation - however you do it - and fight out the recovery later. File a claim now - if it was with a credit card - or start your check trace right away though.

I am SO sorry! VRBO.com has been working hard to prevent scams. They might have some advice on helping you pursue the fraudsters. Did your daughter find the fake company on VRBO?

I'd steer clear of the bnb site and Craig's List.

Does Kauai have a Chamber of Commerce? (Thinking they might help.)

Thank you all for your suggestions! Thankfully, we were able to find another place to rent. We will do as suggested and enjoy ourselves and deal with the fraud part after Christmas.

Glad you were able to find a place to stay, always make sure it is a legal rental, any legit condo or house should have a TVR number. Enjoy your Christmas!

This may seem a little off the wall, but many companies could have an issue with communication. Is it possible this agency you can't get hold of actually DID schedule it with the owners of the property? Will the other agency contact them for you since obviously they deal with the same owners?
Or do you know for a fact that the company has gone out of business and isn't just hard to reach for some reason? Have you googled and found other complaints against them.

I bring this up, because it would be tragic if you pursued this after you got back and ended up finding out they were actually expecting you and you never showed up! I have heard of that happening.