Another scam

[tortoise lady]

We have just received a request for a booking in October, apparently from Owners Direct with the usual layout.   I responded in their dashboard but also sent a direct e-mail to him.   One of the e-mails worked and the other didn't.   He now comes back with the usual "click on this map to show exactly where your villa is located".   I know this is a scam so looked at the Owners Direct website for latest scams.   They warn that if as part of the email address with the query is says "sender@messages.homeaway.com it is a scam and should be deleted.   

I have now done so of course and forwarded it to spoof@homeaway.com which they also advise.

Any one new to letting might not immediately be suspicious if asked to verify location by clicking on a site but be warned, don't do it.  I understand that can give access to your computer (I am not technical so can't explain how!)

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=13444.0

[alantj]

We have just received a request for a booking in October, apparently from Owners Direct with the usual layout.   I responded in their dashboard but also sent a direct e-mail to him.   One of the e-mails worked and the other didn't.   He now comes back with the usual "click on this map to show exactly where your villa is located".   I know this is a scam so looked at the Owners Direct website for latest scams.   They warn that if as part of the email address with the query is says "sender@messages.homeaway.com it is a scam and should be deleted.   

I have now done so of course and forwarded it to spoof@homeaway.com which they also advise.

Any one new to letting might not immediately be suspicious if asked to verify location by clicking on a site but be warned, don't do it.  I understand that can give access to your computer (I am not technical so can't explain how!)

I had a similar mail yesterday, pretty obvious scam - asked to contact direct and wanted to book a 6 bed villa for 2 people.     

The way the try to gain access to your PC is -

When you click to provide your location, you get a fake Google Log On screen. If you have a Google account and try to log on, you have just given them your email and password.

  They will then log on to your email and trawl it for personal info passwords etc,

  They can also see what banks you are using and use your email to change your password
  using the forgot password option and access your account.

  Often they will use your address book to send similar malware to all of your friends.
 
All in all a very bad thing, so never use a log on screen that pops up as a result of opening any email. Even if you think its legitimate close the browser window and manually open the site you want to log into. 

 

[9yearsinkalkan]

Had the same scam yesterday morning and replied in my usual courteous detailed manner. Expecting the reply sometime today. Sure enough it popped up a few mins ago ( actually as I was reading your post Tortoise Lady ).
Knowing that there would be some type of attachment in the reply. This was from a Stewart Torres and another e-mail address for reply was given as it was easier for them to reply via their iPad the e-mail stated........Stu@stevevels.com was the address.

Having had many of these now I decide to reply with an expletive laden e-mail, some of my language surprises me, but the strange satisfaction I get from the thought of whoever sent it, reading my reply and cringing  makes me giggle.....!!!

It is neither big or clever...........but xxxx them.

Kind Regards

Neil

[tortoise lady]

Well explained Alantj - obviously very important that people shouldn't get caught out.

Neil, you obviously got the same scammer as me, exactly the same e-mail address although he called himself Stewart Anstead in my case.   Like you I had e-mailed him and been thoughtful about suggestion an earlier week if he preferred it (he said there were two adults, last week October but dates could be flexible>  Shows lack of imagination using the same Christian name!

I was annoyed I had wasted my time and when I got his e-mail asking me to click on the link I wish I had replied in the strong way you did Neil.   I wonder just how many scammers there are out there just waiting to catch someone unawares.   It seems such a harmless thing just asking you to confirm exact location.......  In our case our own website has its own link showing exactly where it is.

Anyone else had one in the last few days?

[alantj]

I had the same one, from "Stu"

[tortoise lady]

I have just noticed that all three of us on this latest scam from "Stu"/"Stewart" advertise through Owners Direct.   Anyone else out there had this one and also use Owners Direct?    It seemed so convincing as if it was using Owners Direct site until the "click on link" e-mail arrived.

[felicity]

Yes - I had the same e-mail from Stu/Stewart...a couple of days...from OD - an obvious scam...i reported it to OD!!  ODare particularly bad for scam e-mails...in fact I think I have had more scam e-mails than genuine enquiries!!!!

[Cosetta]

Well gals n's guys, I've had two from "Stewart", one yesterday, one long ago.  One of the dead giveaways is a request for two people to occupy a large villa. Another is a request to rent in a period of no availability. The third  is a statement saying "you can contact me at... " followed by a private e-mail.

From OD, I've had only fraudulent inquiries.