Hi,
We've used VRBO in Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and in the good old USandA -- and we've always used a credit card to pay.
I just tried booking a rental in Amsterdam through VRBO with a company called Grand Stay BV. I got an email reply requesting that we WIRE the money (it's a seven-night stay for a two-bedroom place, so it is a bit of moolah). I replied protesting that I want to pay by card. I got this response:
"In the attached screenshots from our channel manager and VRBO account you can see that you only sent a booking request,your card was not charged because the payment is process by our channel manager, also VRBO can confirm you that (we suggest to contact them because they can confirm you all this).
"We understand your concern but only the payment is process by our channel manage, this booking is fully insured for both parties by VRBO because is completed through them."
The VRBO rep said they (VRBO) "guarantee our satisfaction"... But the rep double-talked whether we'd get our money back if we were scammed. (VRBO and Airbnb aren't exactly customer-oriented, imo...) The rep also suggested checking the reviews for the property or the company, which we normally do -- and there are none. I did check the company's url (https://grand-stay.nl/), and it's a pretty bleak page, only apologizing for "synchronize our Channel Manage." My wife just checked their Facebook page and the last posting was 2014.
I'm going with my gut and will look for another property.
Stay on your toes everyone. It may not be fraud, but I know this: Visa will ALWAYS protect the consumer.