Warning for Isle of Wight B&Bs: Scammers Targeting Accommodation Providers
Isle of Wight accommodation owners have been warned about a nasty scam that could cost them thousands. Shona McMillan, owner of Koala Cottage in Godshill, spotted a fraudulent booking attempt that nearly caught her out.
Scammer Targets Small Business with Fake Booking
Shona received an email from someone claiming to be based in France, looking to book a month-long stay. The scammer promised to pay upfront by cheque, claiming they couldn’t do a bank transfer. Then, they shortened the stay and asked for an immediate refund of the difference – a red flag for any savvy host.
If Shona hadn’t seen through it, the fake cheque would’ve bounced, leaving her out of pocket. On top of that, she risked losing out on genuine guests who might have been turned away for that month. With just three luxury suites at Koala Cottage, blocking off one guest for a month is a massive hit to her small business.
Island Businesses Urged to Stay Alert
“I’ve heard of people losing a lot of money from this,” said Shona. “It’s too good to be true – trust your instincts and check carefully.”
Visit Isle of Wight joins the call for vigilance, especially with Easter and the summer season approaching. Amanda Coleman, Wight BID administration officer, advises:
“Be really careful, double-check everything, don’t give out any details and report anything suspicious because there are so many scams out there.”
Julie Woodhouse, manager of Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards team, echoed the warnings:
“If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Scammers push you to make quick decisions – don’t fall for it.”
Top Tips to Avoid Being Scammed
- Always verify payment methods before confirming bookings.
- Be wary of guests who want to overpay or request immediate refunds.
- Don’t release rooms until payments have fully cleared.
- Report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
Island B&B and hotel owners, take note: staying alert could save your business from costly scams!
