I imagine now is the time or near the time when vacation plans are being put into place for the upcoming summer season. Fortunately for me, I own (well, the bank owns) a travel trailer that really doesn't travel. It's in a campground where my wife, Greyhounds, and I spend our vacations, and we love it.

But for those who love to book vacations away from home, New York State Attorney General Letitia James has a warning for those who may be looking for summer rentals.  Some of those companies offering summer rentals could be scams by misrepresenting rentals or listing fake homes online that don't exist.

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Attorney General James says to verify the host, book before making a payment, look for reviews, verify that any photos are real, not fake, and limit any communication only through the listing before you book the rental.

Other tips include using only a credit card or debit card to book the rental, make payments through the listing site, and stay away from cash payments or wire transfers.

And Attorney General James states you can't be denied a rental based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, disability, or marital status.  If you feel you are being discriminated against or harassed,  file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

To report a summer vacation rental scam, visit the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds Bureau.

via NYS Attorney General,  NYS Attorney General Complaints

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