RECENTLY, A CORTE MADERA FAMILY WAS VICTIM TO A VACATION RENTAL SCAM. THE FAMILY FOUND A RENTAL ON CRAIGSLIST FOR AN OCEAN FRONT HOME ON WEST CLIFF DR IN SANTA CRUZ AND, PER THE EMAILED INSTRUCTIONS, WIRED MONEY TO A BANK ACCOUNT. WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE HOUSE AT AN ARRANGED TIME, THE RESIDENT SAID THEY HAD BEEN SCAMMED AND THE HOME WAS NOT FOR RENT. THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY D-A WARNS THAT THIS TYPE OF SCAM IS NOT UNUSUAL AND ADVISES PEOPLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS BY VALIDATING THE ACTUAL OWNER OR PROPERTY MANAGER AND PAYING WITH A CREDIT CARD FOR INCREASED SECURITY.
