help!

[Cornish Pixie]

We have just returned from a week's holiday in France booked through a reputable villa rental site. We were informed by e mail that they have taken the majority of our security bond on the verbal instructions of the villa owner who has made major false claims as to how the villa was left. We did not receive this e mail until three days after the money had been taken out of our account.We feel that this is a bit of a scam on the behalf of the owner to gain extra money. How do we stand? We have spoken to the the villa rental company and have advised them we are going to take legal advice. Has anyone else had this sort of experience?