When logging into Simply Owners you must ensure the address in full is:
https://www.simplyowners.net/login
and that your browser indicates that you have a secure connection, normally by means of a padlock icon. You should not enter your Simply Owners login details into any other address or into any links clicked via emails.
Making this a bookmarked page will help.
We will only ever email you from one of the three email addresses below:
Please do not respond to any other email formats or links. If in doubt please call us on 01623343343.
Never give your login details to anyone.
Be aware of email phishing attempts. Don't click links in emails from holidaymakers. Don't enter or share your Simply Owners account details except on the login form on simplyowners.net.
The initial contact from the holidaymaker will come via the Simply Owners messaging system. We have numerous systems in place to mitigate and deter spammers and scammers and block such messages.
Unfortunately a scammer can pose convincingly as a legitimate holidaymaker at this stage with a simple message requesting a response for price or availability. Most attempted scams come further down the line when they are independent of the Simply Owners systems and in direct contact by email or phone with the owners.
Only give instructions and details on payment methods during the receipt of a phone call from the holidaymaker on the unique phone number you provided to Simply Owners. Never make the call to a holidaymaker to discuss payments! Your phone number is unique to you and this method protects both you the holiday-home owner and the holidaymaker. Protect your phone from abuse and never allow any unauthorized person to use it to deal with payments from holidaymakers. Always take payments on a recognized credit/debit card, bank transfer or via an organization such as Paypal.
NEVER SEND YOUR BANK DETAILS BY EMAIL, EXCEPT AS A SIMPLE CONFIRMATION, TO CONFIRM THE DETAILS GIVEN TO THE HOLIDAYMAKER ON THE TRUSTED PHONE CALL.
The main fraud homeowners need to be aware of that is attempted across the sector is called the "cheque overpayment fraud".
A renter submits a business cheque for more than the required rental fee, this will show on your bank balance but needs 20 days to clear and the scammer can cancel this any time during this 20 day period. They claim the over-payment was an accident (they wrongly included car hire, or paid for two weeks instead of one) and request the difference is refunded. As requested, you refund the difference between the rental fee and the overpaid amount. Their cheque bounces.
If a renter sends a cheque for more than the rental amount, rip up the cheque and request that the renter sends a new one for the correct amount.
Keep copies of all correspondence and notes of communications with holidaymakers.