If you or someone you know is looking for rentals there is a new scam
that Scammers are doing it is like this; They copy and paste legitimate
listings (either for sale or for rent), and then after getting inquiries and
questions, try to get victims to wire them the deposit.
"They're marketing it for up to $500 less (than the original
listing amount) or what the normal amount is going for in the area.
A scammer will even suggest to an interested renter drive to the
property and view it for themselves. If
there is a sign on the property- call
the number in front of the home!! If it
is not the number you called the first time- it is a scam!!
I have just had this happen to 2 of my listing, it is getting
bothersome. One gal had even wired
$500.00 to the scammer just so she could save it- without filling an
application or any other procedure. I feel bad, but there are so many warning
signs- or so I think!!
The old adage is: if it sounds too good to be true, then it is!
If you are going to sell a car, or furniture- most of us would go
find out how much it is worth and then list it for around that price as you
want to get the most you can for the item, right?? Well, why would someone rent their home (one
of the most expensive items they own for less than they could) speaking for the
majority or perhaps all of us—they wouldn't!!
So there is your first
clue. Another good tip off they don’t
ask for any ID, references, nothing (sometimes they say- “send the money just
to hold it for you” or I can’t get all the paperwork done right now so just
send me the earnest money of $XXX.XX and
we will take care of the rest later.…If you were going to rent your home- would
you handle it this way? Wouldn't you want
to know; the potential tenant’s name, where they work, some references, bank
accounts, etc??? Which now leads me to
---DO NOT GIVE OUT THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION UNLESS YOU KNOW YOU ARE DEALING
WITH A LICENCE AGENT/BROKER or PROPERTY MANAGER. THESE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE TO PROTECTING AND STORING THAT TYPE OF DATA.
If you give it to a person that just owns the home, there is no
way to know what they are doing with that information. So just be careful out
there! The rental market is very competitive
out there right now, but stop and think before you act. It could save you lots of money and headaches!!
It is best to look out for dramatic changes in listing prices-
comparable to the neighborhood. Also it's helpful to check the county
assessor's office to make sure the person you're talking to is the current
owner of the property. If not, make sure
they have the legal right to show you the property—you should NEVER go through someone’s home without having the agent or
landlord present.
