I have had another client contact us to help with a property rental scam.  They are everywhere, be careful.  Thanks goodness they didn’t pay any money and called us.

How do I prevent property rental scam?

Here are some pointers to stop you from being a victim of these rental scams.  They are all very similar.

Here are some RED FLAGS that indicate a high probability of a scam.

• The want you to pay with Walmart money gram or similar electronic method.
• The owner is disabled, or family member is disabled and they moved out.
• They have moved out of state.
• It is hundreds below typical rental price.
• They only communicate by email or text.

Things to do to prevent being a victim.

• Talk with owner over the phone. (just because they have a local number doesn’t mean they are local)
• Meet and sign rental agreement in person at the house.  Don’t just email it
• DO NOT email your social security number or DOB off to unknown person on some generic rental agreement.
• Do a walk through at the house to inspect for damages, with the owner or property manager.
• Go to the house before hand, don’t peek in the windows, but ring the doorbell and talk with current residence.  It may not even be a rental.
• PAY IN CASH. or check.  Any real property owner is NEVER going to reject getting CASH.
• Mail rent checks, or pay them in CASH with a receipt.
• Go to the county website and search the property to find a name of the property owner.  Go to to court house and talk with county officials.  They will help you to look up that property info if you are not proficient on the internet.
• Do not accept excuses as to why the can’t talk over the phone. ( probably because English is a second language for the criminal)
• If it is too good to be true it probably is.
• Do not mail money orders.

Local law enforcement does NOT have the resources to track these people down and most often they are out of the state, but most likely they are out of the country.  Sitting on a beach in Nigeria probably.