Rental Fraud
We are not going to post the steps to this scam, but here are the RED FLAGS to watch for.
1. Payment through money gram type service.
2. Prefer email over phone conversation. That email will appear to be the same name as the ACTUAL owner of property.
3. Claim to have moved out of state.
4. No physical address for them at their new address.
5. Below market value when compared to other rentals in area.
6. Ask you to send payment to their attorney or business manager
With any online transaction ONLY use a payment service that will protect you. Try to use a credit card to offer the most protection. Money gram and other payment services will NOT protect you.
Things to do to try to prevent this.
1. MEET THEM IN PERSON, or their local representative. If they are out of state, they need someone local to deal with property issues!
2. Check out the landlord, a private investigator can quickly and cheaply provide you with a simple check to prove who they are, where they live and if they own the property in question. They can also verify phone numbers.
2. Ask to walk around and go inside to inspect rental before signing or sending anything to the contact person.
