Owners Direct

[SuperMoonIsKeepingMeUpToo]

I'm trying to organise a letting in Cornwall for half term. The owners of the place we like have asked us to call and make the booking and payment over the phone. Is this usual? Should alarm bells be ringing?

TIA

We made an email booking (using the contact us form) via Owners Direct and it turned out someone had hijacked the owners page and if I'd have paid him we would have been screwed.
A few things set off alarm bells but mostly it was the way in which he responded to emails but also that he wouldn't accept PayPal or a credit card payment, wanted a bank transfer.
This advert also said please phone to arrange booking, and I believe Owners Direct recommend this. Not sure if their website is just susceptible to security flaws. I would be cautious either way. I wouldn't use the website again tbh.