There are BAD People out there!

In the years since we first started our blog, all our posts have been positive. This one isn't.

We just went through an experience earlier this week where we found that a Web site had stolen our advertising listings for Smoky Mountain Tower and All Decked Out from one of the many sites where we advertise. The scam site - bidvacationrentals.com - took the listings from HomeAway, which is the largest company in the vacation rental business and is a legitimate advertising site. The bidvacationrentals scammers apparently posted our cabins on their site, but they listed their phone number.

Here's how the scam worked. Unsuspecting guests would call them to rent a cabin. Bidvacationrental would take the money, but wouldn't tell us (or anyone else listed on their site) about the reservation. The guest would never get any more information about directions or the check-in procedures. Thus, the guest was cheated out of their money, but would be upset with us - thinking we had cheated them!

We hope this never happens to you. Here are a few things to watch for, as it specifically relates to us:

1. We have only one site through which we take reservations and payments. It's www.ivacationonline.com. NEVER pay anyone else for a reservation at our cabins.

2. Be especially careful of sites like CraigsList. The scam sites are notorious for getting listings from CraigsList. We never knowingly advertise there, although our listings have showed up there.

3. If you're looking for a vacation rental other than Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out, we suggest you look for any particular property on Google. Try to find the owner's Web site and get information directly. If in doubt, find a phone number and call the owner.

4. Do not make a reservation or give your credit card number out over the phone. In today's world, you should be able to do everything online. When you call a listing site, you don't really know who you are talking to. Yes, we know there are many Gatlinburg management companies who only take reservations by phone. But it's just too easy today to "steal" their phone numbers and redirect them to another phone.

5. If you EVER have any questions about Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out, call us on the ONLY number we have listed - 865-325-9888. You will be connected with Marcia Russell, Angie Jones, or Dave Baseler (that's me, and I'm the owner). If you get anybody else, PLEASE contact us by email immediately - dave@smokiesrentdirect.com.

We are being more diligent than ever to look for these bogus Web sites. There ARE bad people out there. So if you have any questions or if we can help make your Gatlinburg vacation more enjoyable, please call or write to us.