Renters, Beware!
How to Avoid Rental-Property Scams
Zillow, Trulia, and Craigslist have become great tools for searching for rental homes. But, unfortunately, scammers sometimes steal listings from these sites and cheat unsuspecting people who are looking to rent a house. Here’s how the scam typically works:
1. The scammer finds a legitimate listing on a Web site and re-lists the property elsewhere at a reduced rate, pretending to own the property himself.
2. An unsuspecting renter finds the fake listing, which seems to offer a deal that is too good to be true. For example, a home that would normally rent for $1,200 might be listed for just $600.
3. The so-called owner will say that he is out of state and can't show you the residence, but that you are welcome to go look around. He will also tell you to disregard any Realtor signs in the yard as he has let them go and neglected to remove them.
4. The phone number that the scammer will provide you with is usually a Google phone line that can’t be traced. The scammer will never answer your call the first time; he will always need to give you a call back.
5. The scammer will insist that you wire him money or send a money order\certified check. He will promise to then overnight you the keys to the property and to give you a confirmation number for the money transfer. Sometimes he might even send you a picture of a family just to give you some peace of mind.
6. The renter receives nothing, loses his money, and is unable to locate the scammer.
In conclusion, when looking for rental properties in today's market, use common sense, make sure to do your research, and never give out any information about yourself until you meet your agent or landlord face-to-face. Ask as many questions as you wish, and if something seems to be too good to be true, always search the property’s address and see what else pops up. These tips should help you avoid falling prey to a scam artist.
If you have further questions, or if I can help you in any way with your rental needs, please contact me, Shane Snoots, at 410-546-3211 / Shane.Snoots@LongandFoster.com.
