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  • Geebo 8:00 am on March 21, 2024 Permalink | Reply
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    Online home rental scams still persist 

    Online home rental scams still persist

    By Greg Collier

    In the quest for a new home, the excitement of finding the perfect place can sometimes blind us to potential dangers lurking beneath the surface. One Huntsville, Alabama, family, like many others, found themselves in a predicament that serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of rental scams in today’s digital age.

    Their story began with hope and anticipation as they stumbled upon a promising listing for a spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in a desirable neighborhood. With ample space for her family and their beloved dogs, it seemed like fate had led them to their dream home. Little did they know, this seemingly perfect opportunity would soon turn into a nightmare.

    Upon contacting the supposed landlord via Facebook Marketplace, the family was met with prompt responses and arrangements for a tour of the property. Despite initial red flags, such as the absence of the landlord during the tour and instructions to access the property through an electronic lockbox, they proceeded with unwavering trust.

    Throughout the process, the purported landlord remained courteous and accommodating, alleviating any doubts the family may have harbored. With the presentation of an electronic application, approval, and a virtual lease agreement, everything appeared legitimate. Even the method of payment, a combination of Cash App and Walmart Money transfer, seemed routine, mirroring the family’s current dealings with their legitimate landlord.

    It wasn’t until the family’s prudent decision to verify the authenticity of the listing online that the harsh reality of the situation came crashing down. Multiple listings of the same property on reputable platforms, all managed by a professional property management company, exposed the elaborate ruse orchestrated by scammers. The family was devastated when they realized the extent of the deception and the loss of their hard-earned money, $1,125 was gone in an instant.

    To prevent falling victim to rental scams, it’s crucial to exercise caution and employ protective measures. Cross-reference information provided by landlords with reputable real estate platforms and property management companies.

    Exercise caution if landlords refuse to meet in person or request unusual payment methods. Just because your current landlord accepts payment through an app doesn’t imply that every user of that app is reliable. Payment apps like Cash App are intended for transactions among people you already have personal connections with.

    If something feels off, don’t ignore your intuition. Take the time to investigate further before committing to any agreements or payments. And By reporting scams to the appropriate authorities, you not only protect yourself, but also contribute to the prevention of future fraudulent activities.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on February 13, 2024 Permalink | Reply
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    Craigslist rental scam leaves landlord and tenants in a bind 

    Craigslist rental scam leaves landlord and tenants in a bind

    By Greg Collier

    In a cautionary tale that underscores the importance of due diligence in the rental market, a landlord and four unsuspecting residents in Virginia Beach found themselves ensnared in a potential rental scam. What began as a seemingly routine rental agreement ended in confusion, financial loss, and upheaval for all parties involved.

    The story revolves around a realtor, who leased a four-bedroom home in late 2023, only to discover that she had fallen victim to a scam orchestrated by someone posing as the property owner. Initially, everything appeared to be in order, with rent payments arriving punctually. However, by December, the payments ceased, and communication with the supposed tenant abruptly halted.

    It wasn’t until February, when the realtor visited the property, that the full extent of the deception became apparent. Instead of finding her tenant, she encountered unfamiliar faces, shocked to learn that the person they had been paying rent to wasn’t the true owner of the property. Locks had been placed on individual bedroom doors, and the house was being sublet to unwitting tenants.

    Further investigation revealed that the imposter had listed individual bedrooms for rent on Craigslist, collecting money from multiple tenants while failing to fulfill his own financial obligations to the realtor. The deceit extended to using a different name in the listings, potentially to obfuscate his true identity.

    The ramifications of the scam were profound. Not only did the realtor face financial losses and property damage, but the unsuspecting residents also found themselves displaced and potentially out of pocket.

    This serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of rental scams and the need for vigilance when navigating the rental market. Verifying property ownership is a crucial step for potential renters to ensure they are dealing with legitimate landlords and avoiding rental scams.

    Most counties maintain online databases where property records are publicly accessible. Prospective renters can search for the property address on the county assessor’s website to find information about the current owner. This information typically includes the owner’s name and contact details.

    Property tax records are another reliable source of information regarding property ownership. Renters can visit the local tax assessor’s office or access their website to inquire about property tax records. Tax records typically include the name of the property owner, the assessed value of the property, and tax payment history.

    Renters can directly verify property ownership by requesting proof of ownership from the landlord. This could include asking for a copy of the property deed or rental agreement. Legitimate landlords should be willing to provide this information to establish trust and transparency with potential tenants.

    By utilizing these methods, potential renters can verify property ownership and protect themselves from rental scams and fraudulent landlords. Taking the time to conduct due diligence and verify ownership details can help ensure a safe and secure rental experience.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on February 9, 2024 Permalink | Reply
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    Rental scammer targets single moms 

    Rental scammer targets single moms

    By Greg Collier

    There’s a common misconception that scammers exclusively prey on wealthy individuals. This couldn’t be further from reality. Scammers actually target those with limited financial resources because they’re aware that many low-income families can find themselves in dire circumstances through no fault of their own. The priority for scammers is simply to seize whatever money they can, with little concern for the repercussions on their victims.

    Authorities in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are actively pursuing a rental scammer who has been specifically preying on single mothers in search of housing. The scammer’s online advertisements purportedly aimed to assist single moms, luring them in with false promises. Multiple victims have bravely stepped forward, revealing that they fell victim to the scammer’s scheme, paying him only to discover that he lacked any legitimate authority to rent the property he was advertising.


    One victim shared her harrowing experience of being shown the home, being assured that it would be available within days after the previous tenants were evicted. Trusting the scammer’s words, she handed over a $300 deposit via Cash App. However, her hopes were dashed when she received a string of excuses as to why she couldn’t move in as promised.

    Another victim’s ordeal was even more devastating. Having paid $2000 to secure the rental, they were in the midst of arranging internet service and had even taken out renter’s insurance in anticipation of moving in. It was only later that they realized they had fallen victim to a scam.

    An investigation uncovered that the scammer actually resided in the very home he claimed to be renting out, which was owned by his parents.

    Rental scams like this one can have devastating consequences for single mothers and their children. Being duped in such a manner often leaves families homeless, further exacerbating the already dire housing crisis. With so many families already struggling financially, falling victim to such scams only worsens their situation, compounding their distress and uncertainty about finding stable housing.

    Single mothers can take several steps to protect themselves from rental scams. Thoroughly research the property and the landlord before committing to anything. Check multiple sources to verify the legitimacy of the rental listing. Request proof of ownership or authorization to rent the property from the landlord. Cross-check this information with public records if possible.

    Avoid making payments through untraceable methods like cash or wire transfers. Use secure payment platforms or methods that offer protection against fraud, such as credit cards or rental platforms with built-in payment systems. If something seems too good to be true or if you feel pressured to make a quick decision, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

    If you encounter a suspicious rental listing or believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to the relevant authorities, such as local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies.

    By taking these precautions and remaining vigilant, single mothers can reduce the risk of falling victim to rental scams and protect themselves and their families from financial harm.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 9, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , rental scam, ,   

    Scammer demands deposit for unauthorized home tour 

    Scammer demands deposit for unauthorized home tour

    By Greg Collier

    A family from Tennessee was looking to move to another part of the state, searching for better job opportunities. They made their intentions known on social media, where they were approached by someone claiming to be a realtor. The realtor told the family he has a home in the area they’re looking to move to. The family was then asked for a $750 deposit. The $750 wasn’t meant as some form of security deposit or holding cost. The realtor said the family needed to pay the $750 just to tour the home.

    Unfortunately, the family paid the realtor the $750 through Cash App. When the family went to meet the realtor at the property, the realtor never showed up. When the family contacted the realtor again, he said he would be there the next day. The next day came, but still, the realtor failed to show up. This time, the realtor claimed that he had been stopped by police and even provided the family a picture of the police officer. It later turned out the police officer in the photo was from another state.

    The family started becoming suspicious about the deal when the realtor sent the family a picture of himself with a realtor’s license. Then the realtor tried to get even more money out of the family by offering them a refund of the $750, but the family would have to pay another $100 claiming that was Cash App’s business fee for the refund. When the family contacted Cash App, they were told there was no such fee.

    If you’re getting ready to make a big life change like moving into a new home, you may want to keep that decision off social media. Sadly, there are too many scammers who are tuned into certain keywords that help them find victims. If you’re approached by a stranger on social media who claims they can help you, be very suspicious and do not give them any money, especially through payment apps like Cash App, Venmo and Zelle.

    To safeguard against rental scams, conduct thorough research on the property. Rather than relying solely on the landlord’s proof of ownership, reach out to the county’s tax assessor’s office to verify the actual property owner. Additionally, perform a Google search using the property’s address to identify any discrepancies in multiple listings, especially differing rental rates. A lower-priced listing among them is likely a fraudulent scheme.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 22, 2023 Permalink | Reply
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    Elaborate rental scam leaves more families homeless 

    Elaborate rental scam leaves more families homeless

    By Greg Collier

    Rental scams seem to be grabbing plenty of headlines lately. There hasn’t been an increase in rental scams. Rental scams are one of the more common scams going today and has been for a while. We think the headlines are escalating because increasingly more families are becoming homeless because of the scam.

    For example, two families moved from out of state to Aurora, Colorado. The first family is from Las Vegas and saw an and for a four bedroom home for rent on Craigslist. This family tried to do all of their due diligence. They asked the landlord for proof of ownership, which they provided. The father of the family even drove from Las Vegas to Aurora to meet with a realtor who showed him the home. The man agreed to rent the home and arranged to make the deposit.

    The realtor asked for payment through Cash App, which the man almost recognized as a red flag. However, the Las Vegas man insisted on paying through PayPal instead. Once the realtor received the payment, he gave the family the code to enter the home. So, they packed up all their belongings and moved from Las Vegas into the Aurora home.

    They were living in the home for three days when another family showed up looking to move in. This family had moved from Arkansas to Colorado. When the two families compared their stories, they both realized they had been scammed. Everyone from the landlord to the realtor were scammers.

    It wasn’t too long before the property management company showed up. As property management companies are wont to do, they gave the first family 10 days to vacate the premises or be evicted. The second family didn’t even have that luxury. Now, both families are facing homelessness.

    So, how did the scammers gain access to the home in the first place? Once again, the property management company was probably using a lockbox which contained the keys. Too many realtors never change the code on the lockboxes, leaving them vulnerable to scammers. All a scammer has to do is contact the legitimate realtor and ask for a tour. Since many realtors allow guideless tours, they’ll give the lockbox code to any potential customer, including scammers. Once the scammer has the lockbox code, they’ll use it repeatedly to show the home to their victims.

    As always, the best way to protect yourself against rental scammers is to do as much research about the property as possible. Don’t ask the landlord for proof of ownership, instead contact the county’s tax assessor’s office to find out who the real owner is. Do a Google search on the property’s address to see if there are multiple listings with different rental rates. If there are, the lower priced one is almost guaranteed to be a scam listing. Lastly, never use payment apps like PayPal or Cash App for your deposit. These apps are vulnerable to a number of scams themselves.

    If you want to help the two families taken in by this scam, you can donate to their GoFundMe accounts here and here.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 9, 2023 Permalink | Reply
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    Do real landlords hold any responsibility for rental scams? 

    Do real landlords hold any responsibility for rental scams?

    By Greg Collier

    It seems like more and more families are being put out on the street because of rental scams. This is when scammers pose as landlords and collect money from victims in the guise of security deposits or rent. Scammers will copy the listings from legitimate realtor sites and post them on places like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace as if they own the property. In too many cases recently, scammers will even obtain access to the property to make their claim of ownership more authentic. The rental scam has been around as long as online marketplaces have existed. In the early days of the scam, fake landlords would ask for payment in money transfers. Now, the scammers have even easier access to their victims’ money thanks to personal payment apps like Zelle and Venmo.

    To make matters worse, many rental properties can be viewed using various rental apps that allow renters to have unguided access to the rental home. Not only has this allowed scammers to circumvent these apps to fool their victims, it’s also allowed the victims to move into homes they thought they legitimately rented. Once the actual landlords find out people have moved in to one of their properties without their say so, the scam victims are usually evicted within days. Many of the victims do not have any other housing options and become homeless. However, do landlords and property management companies share some blame for not securing their properties better?

    A family from Wisconsin recently fell victim to a rental scam and are now facing an uncertain future. They found a listing online for a townhouse that was perfect for them. They only spoke to the supposed property agent by phone and text. The family was given an access code to a lockbox that contained keys to the property. This allowed them to tour the townhouse alone. The family forwarded the payment to the person they were dealing with. While the report doesn’t state how the payment was sent, it’s safe to assume a personal payment app was used.

    The day after the family moved in, another family showed up also looking to move in. That’s when the actual property management company stepped in and gave the family one week to move out.

    When reached for comment by local media, the management company said they use a third-party platform to perform the unassisted tours. The third party is said to verify potential renters by doing a driver’s license and credit card check. However, it seems once an ID check is passed, the code to access the lockbox can be accessed over and over again. That makes the lockboxes vulnerable to scammers, as they can easily pass an ID check with stolen information. There’s already a housing crisis in this country. It doesn’t need to be worsened by scammers and shoddy security.

    If you’re looking to rent a new home, we can’t stress enough to do as much research on the property as possible before committing any money. Even as something as simple as doing a web search on the property’s address can turn up a trove of information that may help you avoid a rental scam. Also, never use apps like Venmo or Cash App to make any kind of deposit or rent payment. These apps are too easily manipulated by scammers to get your money and then disappear. Lastly, read any and all paperwork carefully to make sure the documentation isn’t fake.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 25, 2023 Permalink | Reply
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    Reporter’s home used in rental scam 

    By Greg Collier

    If you’re a rental scammer, the last house you want to use in your scam is probably one which belongs to a police officer. The second to last house a scammer would want to use would most likely belong to a reporter. But that’s precisely what happened to a TV reporter from the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.

    The reporter listed her home for rent on Zillow and only Zillow. After posting her home on Zillow, she received a text from a good Samaritan. The man who texted her said he found her home listed for rent on Craigslist. Not only did the Craigslist ad list the home for a cheaper rent, but the scammer was asking for an $80 application fee. The scammer had reportedly been talking to the man for two days before the man drove over to the property and called the number that was on the ‘for rent’ sign.

    Then the reporter did what reporters do, she began to investigate the phony listing. During her investigation, she also found her home listed for rent on Facebook Marketplace. As you might expect, she called the phone number listed in the phony ads. The scammer said he would meet with her to show her the home and would need $1000 for the security deposit. However, when it came time to meet, the scammer instead sent the reporter a link to the application and asked for the $80 application fee. The reporter even commented on how official looking the application was.

    The reporter called the scammer and asked him how long he owned the home, with the scammer replying two years. She then told the scammer she was both the owner of the home and a reporter. The scammer hung up the call, and when the reporter tried to call back, she only got the voicemail message.

    If you’re looking to rent or sell your home online, there’s not much you can do to prevent it being used in a scam. We have seen online listings where the seller states that the home is not listed on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. That may aid in discouraging renters from falling victim to a rental scam.

    We understand that there may be urgent situations requiring individuals to find a new home swiftly. However, regardless of the circumstances, it is crucial for potential renters to dedicate time to researching a property before making any financial commitments. One essential step is to determine the current rental rates for homes in the desired area. If a particular home seems remarkably affordable, exercising caution is advisable. Engage in a thorough web search using the property’s address to identify any other listings associated with different realtors and rental prices, as scammers often replicate legitimate real estate offers. Additionally, it is prudent to verify the true ownership of the property by consulting the county’s tax assessor office or website. By taking these precautionary measures, individuals can protect themselves from potential rental scams and ensure a safe and informed decision-making process.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 20, 2023 Permalink | Reply
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    Scam Round Up: Fake cops threaten tenants and more 

    Scam Round Up: Fake cops threaten tenants and more

    By Greg Collier

    Our first scam of the day comes to us from a warning from the New York City Police Department. The NYPD says they’ve seen an increase in a charity scam that involves Venmo and your phone. Scammers are approaching NYC residents while pretending they’re working for a charity.

    The scammers will ask for a donation through the personal payment app Venmo. The victim will be provided the information to make the donation, but the donation won’t go through. This is when the scammer will ask for the victim’s phone to help them make the donation. Instead, the scammers are sending the entire amount of the victim’s Venmo account to themselves.

    The NYPD is telling residents not to hand their phones over to strangers, especially if they’re asking for donations. Please keep in mind, Venmo was intended to be used between family and friends.

    ***

    We’ve been keeping a close eye on the scams that involve AI-generated voice-spoofing. Scammers will take someone’s voice either from social media or their voicemail message and run it through an AI voice program that will allow them to make someone’s voice say just about anything they want. Typically, voice-spoofing is used in the grandparent and virtual kidnapping scams. In these scams, scammers need the victim to believe they’re talking to a loved one.

    The most recent report we have on this is out of Atlanta, where a mother was confronted with this scam. She received a call she thought was from her adult daughter. She heard her daughter’s voice before someone on the call said her daughter saw something she shouldn’t have and has now been kidnapped. The caller demanded $50,000 in ransom.

    Thankfully, her husband was able to get a hold of her daughter, who was in no real danger.

    If you receive a phone call like this, always try to reach the person who has been supposedly kidnapped through other means. Even if you have a full conversation with someone who sounds just like your loved one, always verify the story. Ask them a question only they would know, or set up a family code word ahead of time that would signify who you were talking to.

    ***

    Residents of Newark, New Jersey, have reported that people posing as police have been going around to tenants and demanding multiple months worth of rent. If the phony officers don’t get the money, they threaten the tenants with eviction and arrest.

    In New Jersey, an eviction can’t be carried out until the landlord has received a judgment in court.

    If you’re renting your home or apartment, you should familiarize yourself with your state’s or county’s eviction process.

    Also, keep in mind, legitimate police will never show up at your door asking for your rent money. If someone claiming to be police does show up at your door, call the police department they’re supposedly from and verify if an officer has been dispatched to your home.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 10, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , rental scam, ,   

    Another family homeless after rental scam 

    By Greg Collier

    After mistakenly believing they had legitimately rented a home, a Florida family finds themselves homeless and forced to live on the streets. Tragically, stories like this are becoming far too common, as rental scammers continue to prey on families who are just looking for a roof over their heads.

    This family found a home for rent in their price range on Facebook Marketplace. The person who listed the home on Marketplace then directed the family to tour the home using an app called Rently. For those unfamiliar with Rently, it’s a service that allows prospective tenants to view and access rental properties without the need for a leasing agent or property manager to be present. Lockboxes are put on the doors of homes for rent or sale, and people who want to tour the home are given a combination to the lockbox, which has the keys in it.

    To get access to these homes, scammers will pose as prospective renters or buyers just so they can get the lockbox combination. Many realtors aren’t very good about changing the lockbox combinations, so scammers can use them repeatedly if need be.

    After the family toured the home and said they were interested in renting, the supposed landlord asked them for four months rent in advance, which came to an eye-watering $7000. Part of the payment was even asked for in eBay gift cards.

    After they moved in to the home, a sheriff’s deputy showed up at the door to inform the family they were trespassing and needed to leave.

    The home was available for rent, but was being rented out by a property management company.

    To add insult to injury, the family’s trailer that they were towing broke just a few feet after leaving the property.

    Just because an ad is listed on a multi-billion dollar platform like Facebook Marketplace doesn’t guarantee the listing is legitimate. Facebook was a haven for scammers long before Marketplace was implemented. Another red flag in this story is the landlord not being present during the home’s tour, or at any other time at all. And the biggest red flag was when partial payment was asked for in gift cards. As we are fond of saying, gift cards are the currency of scammers.

    We understand there are times when someone needs to find a new home quickly as possible. But no matter the reason, prospective renters should always take the time to research a property before paying any money. Research the going rate for rental homes in that area. If the home you’re looking at seems like a bargain, be suspicious. Do a web search on the address to see if other listings appear with different realtor names and rental prices, as scammers often copy legitimate real estate listings. And as always, you can check with the county’s tax assessor office or website to see who the true owner of the home really is.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 6, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , rental scam,   

    Are obituaries gold mines for scammers? 

    Are obituaries gold mines for scammers?

    By Greg Collier

    Recently, we’ve published a number of posts about a scam that involves funeral homes. In this scam, scammers comb the obituaries, looking for a notice that lists the funeral home being used. This allows the scammers to pose as the funeral home while trying to extort money from the deceased’s family. Now, it seems, that scammers are using the obituaries for a different scam.

    In Pennsylvania, a family was looking for a new home to rent. The family found a home for rent on Facebook Marketplace that they thought was quite the bargain at $800 a month. The home’s supposed owner said they had just accepted a job out of state, as to why they were renting the home. When the family asked to see inside the home, they were told they would need to send the money first, then they would be sent a key and a contract.

    This struck the family as odd, so they decided to do a web search on the homeowner. The name the family had been given belonged to a man who had just recently passed away. The home that was listed had belonged to the deceased man, but it was actually being put up for sale.

    The theory is scammers are using the properties of the recently deceased in order to avoid having their potential victims being warned away.

    While this family thankfully avoided being scammed, there could potentially be victims out there who lost money to this scam.

    When looking to rent a new home, you can never do enough research. Not only should you web search the home’s address to look for duplicate listings, also check the names of anyone involved who claims to be the landlord or homeowner. This is especially important when the rental price seems too good to be true.

     

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