Greg's Corner

Housing scams target incoming soldiers

By Greg Collier

As soldiers prepare for a new chapter in their military careers, the excitement of moving is unfortunately being overshadowed by a wave of housing scams. Fort Carson, in Colorado, recently took to social media to alert the community about a troubling trend targeting incoming soldiers. The post warned of fraudulent online listings advertising available homes, leading to multiple reports of soldiers being scammed out of their money.

The scam typically involves deceitful advertisements for rental properties. Soldiers, eager to secure housing, are asked to send deposit fees upfront to secure the home. However, upon arrival, they find the property is already occupied by its rightful owner, who never listed the home for rent. This distressing situation causes financial loss and creates significant stress and disruption for soldiers and their families.

The Army emphasizes the importance of caution when searching for housing. They urge soldiers to utilize their official housing website, which offers reliable information about realtors and available housing options, both on-post and off-post. For soldiers planning a move to a new base, it’s essential to verify the legitimacy of any housing listings before making any financial commitments.

Verify the information provided by landlords by cross-referencing with reputable real estate platforms and property management companies.

Be wary if landlords refuse to meet in person or ask for unusual payment methods. Just because your current landlord accepts payments through an app doesn’t mean every user of that app is trustworthy. Payment apps like Cash App are meant for transactions between people you already know personally.

If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate further before making any agreements or payments. By reporting scams to the appropriate authorities, you protect yourself and help prevent future fraudulent activities.