What to do first
If you suspect that the property you paid for does not exist, is not available, or is not what the listing showed, acting early usually keeps more options open: listings can disappear and payment disputes have time limits. These steps are general and do not replace an assessment of your specific case.
- Stop sending money. Do not pay extra deposits, "release" fees or "insurance" requested after the first payment
- Save the evidence now: screenshots of the listing (with its address bar, price, photos and host profile), the full conversation and any booking confirmation or contract you received
- Contact your bank or card issuer straight away, tell them it may be fraud, and ask whether the payment can be disputed or recalled. Deadlines apply and the outcome cannot be guaranteed
- Report the listing to the platform or website where you found it, and keep the report number
- Consider filing a police report. The Santa Catarina Civil Police has an online system (Delegacia Virtual) that, according to the police, accepts reports from foreign visitors using documents from their country of origin, for facts that occurred in the state; check on its website whether your case qualifies. A report documents the facts and is often requested by banks and platforms
- Arrange alternative accommodation first, so the dispute does not leave you without a place to stay
How you paid changes the next step
The options available depend mostly on how the money was sent. Tell whoever handled the payment exactly what happened and when.
- Inside the booking platform: use the platform's own claim and payment-protection channels first, and avoid moving the conversation or the payment outside it
- By card: ask the issuer about a dispute (chargeback) for a service that was not provided
- By bank transfer or payment app: notify the bank immediately and ask for the fraud procedure; the sooner the report, the better the chance of tracing the money
- By Pix (Brazil's instant payment system): tell your bank at once. The Central Bank's special return mechanism (MED) lets banks try to block and return the amount in cases of suspected fraud, but it has deadlines and a return is neither automatic nor guaranteed
- By payment link or to a personal account of the "host": keep every receipt and the account holder details, since they identify who received the money
The evidence that matters
- The original listing: link, photos, price, description and the host's name or profile
- Every message exchanged, including WhatsApp, e-mail and platform chat, with dates
- Proof of payment: receipt, card statement, beneficiary name and account details
- Any contract, booking confirmation, address or ID document the "host" sent you
- Phone numbers, e-mail addresses and social media accounts used to contact you
When legal help under Brazilian law may make sense
A lawyer in Brazil can review the evidence and explain which remedies may exist under Brazilian law, depending on the amount paid, how the money was sent, whether the person who received it or an intermediary such as a platform can be identified, and where the property is supposed to be. Possible steps range from a formal notice to a claim before the Brazilian courts.
There are limits worth knowing in advance: recovery is never guaranteed, and in many scams the people behind the listing use false identities. A first assessment is about telling you honestly whether a legal route is realistic before you spend more time or money on it. The firm acts only under Brazilian law and on matters connected to Brazil.
If you have already returned home
You do not need to be in Brazil for a first assessment. A short description of what happened and the documents above are usually enough, and some steps can later be handled in Brazil through a power of attorney, properly legalized where you live.
FAQ
Can I get my money back?
It depends on how you paid, how quickly you acted and whether the recipient can be identified. Sometimes the bank, card issuer or platform can help; sometimes a legal claim is possible; in other cases recovery is not realistic. No outcome can be promised in advance.
Do I need to be in Brazil to deal with this?
No. The first assessment can be done remotely. If a step must be taken in Brazil, a power of attorney can allow a lawyer to act on your behalf for that specific step.
Is a scam the same as a problem with a real host?
No. A fake listing is a fraud issue. If the property exists but differs from the listing, was overbooked or was cancelled, the analysis is different and depends on the contract and the platform's rules. Both can be discussed individually.
Can the firm act outside Brazil?
No. The firm acts exclusively under Brazilian law, as attorneys licensed by OAB/SC 34.030, in matters connected to Brazil.
This page is for general information only and does not replace an individualized review of your situation. The firm acts under Brazilian law, as attorneys licensed by OAB/SC 34.030.