Aloha—A Friendly Reminder to Stay Safe from Vacation Rental Scams
We want your Hawaiʻi getaway to start with sunshine and smiles—not stress. Unfortunately, there have been reports of scammers posing as vacation rental owners on sites like Craigslist or even Airbnb, and a few travelers have sadly fallen victim. Please take a moment to read these helpful tips to keep your booking experience safe and secure.
🚫 Common Signs of a Scam
- The price seems too good to be true compared to similar rentals
- No phone number is listed, or they refuse to give you one
- No website or online presence you can verify
- They ask you to wire money or pay via Western Union, MoneyGram, or PayPal Friends & Family
- They claim to be "traveling abroad" and offer to mail you the keys
- Poor spelling, strange grammar, or vague responses
- No local contact information or address in Hawaiʻi
Tip: Legitimate companies like Captain Cook Resorts are listed on trusted platforms such as Vrbo, Airbnb, and Booking.com—all paid and verified listings.
🌴 How to Protect Yourself
- Call the company—genuine Hawaiʻi businesses will have a local 808 phone number
- Ask for their local address—Hawaiʻi law requires licensed companies to have one
- Ask questions—scammers often reply vaguely or avoid details
- Request the property's address and unit number, then search it online to see if it appears on a legitimate website
- Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is
At Captain Cook Resorts, we've proudly served guests in Waikīkī and across Oʻahu for decades with genuine aloha and transparent service. If you ever have doubts or just want to confirm that a listing is real, please reach out—we're happy to help!
🌺 Stay safe, book smart, and we'll see you in paradise! 🌺
