How can you trust that we are genuine and your booking is safe?
We are I-PRAC CERTIFIED !
Fake advertising and online fraud is on the increase with many people falling foul of a scam, resulting in loss of holiday and no way of reclaiming money. Fraudsters are becoming more technical and investing time and money to create the perfect fake website or fake listing on a legitimate agency site.
People assume that booking through one of the popular agencies gives them a certain level of protection. However, the fact that a property appears on such websites is no guarantee of its existence. Online fraudsters are increasingly creating fake profiles on online booking platforms, populating them with fictitious reviews and high-quality photos designed to entice travellers into booking. Payment is usually requested via wire transfer outside of a platform’s secure payment facility, so travellers have no way of reclaiming their money once it’s clear they’ve been scammed.
This is a concern for holiday cottage owners like us. We think its despicable that people are actively being targeted when booking a holiday. It upsets us and affects our business understandably people are reluctant to trust an individual business, despite us being able to offer a far superior experience.
Why I-PRAC?
I-PRAC gives property owners opportunity to demonstrate their credentials to travellers by completing an in-depth verification process. An international organisation, I-PRAC conducts comprehensive checks on rental agencies and property hosts, using sophisticated verification techniques that are unavailable to travellers. These checks include, but are not limited to the following:
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Passport verification
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Proof of property ownership
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Proof of address
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Proof of bank account registration
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Proof of company incorporation
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Verification of personal contact information
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Verification of property listings, photos and reviews
When a property owner is approved, they can add an ‘I-PRAC Approved’ logo to their website. The logo contains a unique membership number.
What is the I-PRAC process for guests to follow?
Guests simply need to follow this straightforward two step process to safeguard themselves.
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Prospective guests should firstly verify that the unique number on the logo is genuine. This is done by simply inputting the number, owner name (see certificate below) and our website address into the traveller verification area on the I-PRAC site along with your personal details. You will then receive a report confirming certification is genuine.
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Registering your booking with I‑PRAC is the final step in the process to protect yourself against rental fraud. Once you have registered your booking, an email will automatically be sent to us outlining your arrival dates and departure dates, personal booking details and the price you have paid. If we are aware of this booking, you will receive a final confirmation that your booking is safe and secure.
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The booking will also be logged in the I‑PRAC website against our I‑PRAC membership, so if you experience any issues, you can report us. I-PRAC will have your booking on file and start an investigation process. If an I-PRAC member is found to have committed rental fraud, I-PRAC will personally reimburse 100% of your accommodation payment.