renting a flat online?

[adi]

ok i talked to this agency in prague about renting one of their flats for a month and they sent me a booking form asking me for my card number and exp date saying they need it for the reservation fee and "block" a deposit of 500$. is this normal? i don't think they're crooks but isn't it easy for my data to get into the wrong hands? shouldn't it be in an encypted form and the deal done by a verified 3rd party? this word text doc seems very amateurish to me... and how can they "block" money on my card? why would the card company allow them to? they don't know my ccv or pin. is this a good idea, what should i tell them ? thanks.


[ QUOTE ]
Booking Form

Name :

Address :

Phone number :

Passport number :

Credit card number & expire date :

[/ QUOTE ]


[ QUOTE ]
Total price:25000 CZK

Reservation : 1000CZK

Rest to pay : 24000CZK(amount to be paid in cash by the arrival date)
Security deposit : 10000CZK (this amount will be blocked on your credit card)

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
We kindly ask you to fill in your personal and credit card details. Reservation will be completed after reservation payment. The reservation is a part of the rent. The rent will have to be paid in cash immediately after moving in.

You should provide refundable deposit in the amount of 10000,- CZK, this amount will be blocked on your credit card as a guarantee. You will receive this deposit back the within handing over the appartment. This amount can be also used for covering unpaid rents or reparation of damages in the apartment.

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[TheMetetron]

Paranoid much?

It's normal and fine though probably not very secure sending it over email. Whatever, they won't care.

[Josem]

themetertron is right.

more broadly, if someone steals from your credit card, and you've behaved reasonably, just ring your credit card and dispute the charge.

that's the whole point of credit cards.

[adi]

cheers, mates!