Trust you are already thinking about your next vacation to Panama City Beach Florida. Be careful renting from individuals you cannot verify; already hearing of scams in Panama City for 2017. I have gotten calls for years from people who rented from someone else and they got scammed out of their money. Every year it is millions of dollars.
Clark Howard touches on some things to be careful of:
Here are a few tips to make sure you are not a victim:
Never pay more than $100 down to rent a condo, especially if you are several months away from your vacation. If someone asks for more than $100 I would run.
Always ask the name of the person you are renting from. Amazing what you can find out by searching by someone's name on the Internet. ****Google Tina and Parnick Jennings****
You might also consider paying by major credit card for additional protection. Never send a money order.
Ask the person renting the unit if they collect and remit the appropriate tax and what is the tax rate. The answer is "it is either 11.5% or 12.5%," dependent upon where the condo is located." For additional information, or to report a scam or to report someone that does not collect and remit taxes, please contact:
Bay County Clerk of Court
Tourist Development Tax
PO Box 1230
Panama City, FL 32402
Phone: (850) 747-5226
Fax: (850) 747-5212
Email:
tdc@baycoclerk.com
In order to reserve our condos, we require less than $100 at booking, which is non-refundable but goes toward the balance. Most condos owners and especially management companies require hundreds of dollars when you book.
And finally, if you are renting from a management company or resort, make sure they will guarantee the exact unit you are renting and give you the condo number. One of their favorite tricks is to say "we can't tell you the condo number you are renting until you get here." Not good !
ALWAYS get in writing the exact unit you are renting.
