Planning a party should feel exciting, not stressful. But some consumers have paid deposits for tents, tables, inflatables and other rentals only to learn the items were never coming. Others hired an event planner, paid thousands of dollars and then faced canceled services, ignored calls and no refund.
It is smart to be cautious. Scammers often use polished social media pages, online booking systems and friendly messages to appear legitimate. A little extra time spent checking a company before paying can help protect your money and your personal information.
How the scam works
You may find a party rental company through a web search or a social media ad. The business may look professional and may promise to hold your date if you send a deposit first. In some cases, the company also asks for personal details through a form or direct message.
Then the day of the event arrives, and the rental does not show up. You may hear there was an emergency or a last-minute problem. Or the company may stop responding altogether. Some consumers have reported being blocked on social media after sending money.
These scams can happen to anyone. The good news is there are simple ways to lower the risk.
How to protect yourself
• Check the company before you pay. Take a close look at the business website and make sure the contact information is real and complete. Read reviews on third-party sites such as BBB.org. Search the business name along with the word “scam” and check BBB Scam Tracker for recent reports.
• Be cautious with social media listings. A social media page alone is not enough. If you cannot find a website or verify contact information anywhere else, slow down. If the business refuses to speak by phone or in person, treat that as a warning sign.
• Be careful with unexpected messages. A legitimate business may reply to your questions through messaging apps but be wary of anyone who reaches out unexpectedly or tries to keep the whole transaction inside a messaging platform.
• Guard your personal information. You may need to share details for a contract, but only after you have confirmed the company is legitimate. Protect your information the same way you would protect your wallet or purse in a crowded room.
• Read the contract closely. Check the delivery date, delivery time, total cost, deposit amount and payment terms. Look for extra fees you did not expect. Keep a signed and dated copy for your records.
• Pay attention to how payment is requested. Be extra careful if someone pushes you to pay through a digital wallet app, wire transfer or cash. If you do pay, remember it is generally easier to dispute fraudulent charges on a credit card than on a debit card or cash payment.
Take your time. If a deal feels rushed, the deposit seems too high or the company cannot be verified, step back and keep looking. A few extra minutes of checking now can help you avoid a major disappointment later.
For more information, visit BBB.org. BBB’s business directory features profiles with verified reviews and complaint history to help you find trustworthy businesses or file a complaint or submit a customer review. Visit BBB Scam Tracker to research or report scams at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Jan Diaz is the President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana, which serves 23 counties. Contact the BBB at 800-552-4631 or visit BBB.org.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: BBB Tip: Party rental scams can spoil the celebration
Reporting by Jan Diaz, Guest columnist / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
