HomeAway VRBO and Vacation Rentals.com If Renter Is a Scammer You Are On Your Own Austin I

In June of 2014 I reserved a house on John's Island, SC in anticipation of my oldest daughter's wedding which is coming up August 1, 2015. I booked through VRBO which is a HomeAway company. I got a contract and remitted $947 with the balance to be paid in July of 2015. Last week my wife wanted to see pictures of the house again and we could not find the home listed anymore on VRBO. I pulled my contract and called the number on the contract and was told the number belonged to the property's ex-girlfriend. She gave the owner's real cell phone number whom I called and he told me he wasn't renting the home anymore. He went on to say he thought he had contacted everyone who had booked a reservation. He did not offer me a refund or any options. I contacted VRBO and HomeAway and spoke to several people and a couple of times to their Trust and Security Department. Finally was told today by someone in their Trust and Security Department that HomeAway does not assume any responsibility for their renters nor do they advise anyone with a reservation when an account is closed to be aware. No refund, no help, and now no place to stay for my daughter's wedding. HomeAway, VRBO, and VacationRentals.com should be required when an account cancel future bookings to contact renters with deposits and advise them of the fact. My guy closed his account in January of 2015 according to HomeAway. If I had been advised at that time I could have sought another property and started persuing a refund. As it stands now I am awaiting a refund and seeking a rental property. It's rent at your own risk with no sfety net if the renter is a scammer or an idiot. Once I find another property I intend to find the original renter and sue him in small claims court for the deposit plus and additional cost. If I do not receive a refund within 15 days I will file criminal charges and see about having him arrested for fraud.