Big Island police are warning the public to exercise caution when arranging vacation rentals or selling items to strangers.

Police received a call from an owner of a vacation rental who reported that he had been contacted by someone who wanted to rent the property. The person posing as a renter sent a check for more than the rental amount and asked that the balance be sent to another address. The property owner contacted the bank and learned that the check was bogus.

The public is advised to be suspicious of anyone who offers to purchase or rent something with a check above the asking price and then asks for a refund of the difference, as this is a common scam.