How to spot and avoid beach rental scams this summer

Imagine finally getting to the beach, all ready to soak up some summer sun only to find out the place you rented was a scam.

Sounds terrible, right? Unfortunately this happens to families every summer here on the shore.

One local realtor, Douglas Appling with Sandcastle Realty says, "There are a lot of scams out there and they're very easy to get caught up in."

"It's usually about six or seven a year so it's not a tremendous amount but when you're one of them it's a big deal," explains Sharon Palmer-Stauffer, a Coldwell Banker Realtor in Rehoboth Beach.

It's so common that even Delaware's Attorney General is warning vacationers to think twice before renting a beach house this summer.

According to local realtors, you have to watch out for websites that aren't reputable.

"Scammers will go on other real estate sites and steal photos and steal property. Information, address description of the houses, sizes of the houses, and post them on other websites" explains Appling.

That's why it's so easy to become a victim, but there are some red flags to look out for that could help.

"When they're asking for money orders I think money orders are a major flag, especially when they are first doing the bookings. I think that when they are sending them to P.O. boxes you have to be a little careful," says Palmer-Stauffer.

That's something licensed realtors won't do, they'll never ask for money to be sent to a P.O. box. So you're best bet to ensure a safe booking, rentals through realty offices.

"You have the protection of the real estate commission and the state behind you when you're dealing with an owner or a supposed owner you really don't have a lot of protection behind you," explains Appling.

Another good tip, ask your friends and family members who they use to book their rental properties. It's better to know the person that your dealing with than a stranger.  

And if you're thinking it's too late to book a beach rental, think again.

Even though people have been reserving rentals since as early as September of last year, you still have time.

Thanks to a growing tourism industry…the delaware beaches aren't as tight on rentals as they used to be.