Craigslist rental scams are not uncommon situations. If that doesn’t work, you can take the issue to small claims court. This is intended to generate furious interest, getting people to hand over security deposit asap. Unfortunately, even landlords who otherwise seem to follow, can try to pull a scam at the end of your lease. #4. That’s because wiring money leaves you... 3. Although rare, some seemingly legitimate booking inquiries can come from scammers. Typically, the property in question is either bank-owned, a vacant vacation home, or is empty for another reason. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam. It’s so exciting to come across an incredible deal during your, If you come across a service offering to generate a list of pre-foreclosure or. Be suspicious of any landlord that claims to be ‘out of town’ or … The e-mail from kydixororaqep continues: I will be happy to … Many rental scams might ask you to wire funds via money transfer platforms such as Western Union. Don’t send money for whatever reason. Many rental scammers will copy a legitimate listing and just change the contact information. Do they have a professional website you can trust? If you think you have been scammed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. In hopes that you’ll jump on their rental deal faster, these stories may elicit sympathy by involving some family or a financial issue they are involved in. Photo: iStock/4maksym Being a property owner is not all about collecting the rental bond, or handing your investment over to a real estate agent.It’s important to learn how to spot issues before they become serious problems. Don’t give cash, wire money or use services like Venmo or Paypal. If the rental listing's photos sport a watermark – which is used to identify the owner of the photo – look closely. I took the printed ad, all the emails, the “lease agreement,” and went to the property. If you meet up with them, ask to take a look at their ID and real estate pocket card. For any rental, there is always going to be a lease or rental agreement to be signed by both the tenant and the landlord. The list is usually full of sham real estate listings, either fake or expired, and its impossible to get a refund on the sign-up fee. The primary objective of most vacation rental scams is simple: the scammers want to convince you to cough up money for a reservation or security deposit, then disappear with your cash without providing any services in return. Before letting those interested view the home, they request a deposit or first month’s rent. When landlords are ready to rent, they post their listings so they’re easy to find—it’s as simple as that. When you move to a new city or neighborhood and need to rent a property, look out for rental scams. If you find negative comments, consider choosing a different company and/or property. If you receive an email pressuring you to make a decision on the spot for a rental, ignore it and move on. Oral leases are valid in Illinois, but they are problematic in many ways. Some scammers don’t give out addresses because the rental unit doesn’t exist in the first place. They don’t care about leasing property to you and your housing needs, so when they request payment right away, be alert. If you feel you have encountered an apartment or house rental scam, feel free to file a complaint by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or you can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) online Complaint Assistant. Scammers usually ask for a deposit or first month’s rent before you even see the property. Don’t give out any of your personal information, including driver’s license and bank account, to anyone you don’t trust. The only form of lease that you should consider is a written one. This makes it easier for you to verify their identity and for you to properly assess the authenticity of the property posted. It doesn’t matter what the money is stated for; whether it is for an application fee, security deposit, or first month’s rent, you should not wire funds, even if a contract is involved. The process may be strenuous for some potential tenants so cutting the credit and background check can be a relief to some. So you find a great online listing and head out to see that two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in person. How Rental Scammers Operate. If the landlord is asking you for money without meeting up or checking out the apartment, it’s a reason to be wary. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. We … They won’t let you tour the place in person. The list is usually full of sham real estate listings, either fake or expired, and it’s impossible to get a refund on the sign-up fee. When you find your dream place and take the next step, look at who listed the property. Often, the rental application fee will include the price of the background check. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. How to avoid fake adds: Scammers steal text and pictures from real estate and vacation rental websites (VRBO, Zillow, TripAdviser...). Important advice to spot and avoid a rental scam. Be careful if they ask for an immediate down payment. Photos may not be accurate indications of the apartment, and you want to be sure of the rental you’re interested in. Services offering to generate a list of pre-foreclosure or rent-to-own rental properties for clients are another type of rental scam. After the sale, we found tenants in the property who had no idea that they had been scammed by the previous property manager for almost $10,000 in rent which he collected. I’m glad I checked – had I not, I would have signed the “lease agreement”, been out $2,800, had no place to live, and no money to put down on another. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. According to the homeless charity shelter, over a quarter of a million people have fallen victim to some kind of rental fraud over the last five years. They might provide convincing reasons for why this could be the only means of payment. Do some research and make sure they are the actual property manager or landlord. They may say they’ll mail you a check and it never arrives, or they’ll claim they need to keep the deposit to cover damages, even though you left the place in great shape. However, the previous owner had evicted the tenant 90 days prior to the closing through his property manager. Rental scammers often offer properties at a rate below the neighborhood average to lure you into paying a deposit to grab the deal. That’s not the essence of this scam. Subsequently, the property manager took advantage of the owner, who resided out of state, by placing tenants in the property and was collecting rent without remitting it to the owner. Look out for multiple listings on the same site that look identical. Types of Typical Scams by Renters Deadbeat Tenant. Do some extra research to confirm the deal is legitimate before jumping in. Nbot only are rental scams prevalent, they are currently on the rise according to the Federal Trade Commission. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it’s for rent, and that it is what was advertised. It’s a good idea to take photos of your apartment when you move in and before you leave to prove the apartment was left in good condition. If you want to know how to spot a rental scammer, read on to learn common scams as well as how to protect yourself. Avoid this kind of scam by doing a little research so you know if something is too good to be true. Visit the rental unit and ask to see the agent's photo ID badge. Other … Don't be fooled. Just like other property related scams such as the ‘ we buy any house’ scam, rental scams have been around for a long while and over recent years has proven to be a growing problem. If you are renting from out of town and can’t view a property in person before renting, do your research. Landlords and tenants should be wary because rental scams are on the rise as criminals move in to take advantage of the volatile housing market. This is the surest sign of a scam. Beware, so many Scams are popping up. Here are five tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help you spot a rental property scam: Search online for the name of the rental company plus words like "review," "complaint" or "scam." In simple terms, a rental scam is when a scammer tries to solicit cash in exchange for an apartment that he/she isn’t legally allowed to rent out. Sometimes the landlord may ask you for a credit report and check your credit score, which is standard procedure. Be willing to skip the credit and background check Unfortunately, even landlords who otherwise seem to follow landlord tenant law can try to pull a scam at the end of your lease. There is no reason for a landlord to obtain this information from you. Rental scams are a variation on a theme. • They tell you to wire money. To avoid this scam, verify who actually owns the … Carol Sankar, real estate investor, says she has seen her fair share of rental scams during her career. You can find multiple listings for the apartment… in different cities. Avoid this one by searching rental listings on Trulia. Ask to take a look at the document to see if it’s fair and if there is anything that seems out of place such as not having a security deposit returned after the lease is over despite no damages. If the property owner gets cagey about your. rental properties for you, it’s probably a rental scam. Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. You can also conduct a search on the telephone number and the email address to see what kind of results come up. How do I spot a booking inquiry scam? While a majority of rental listings are legitimate, rental scams are out there—and not always easy to spot. Zillow’s Help Center explains how to report a suspicious listing and offers more tips about what to watch out for. Don’t send any money to someone you have not met in person. These rental scams also commonly ask for the funds through a money transfer, which is another red flag: it’s basically impossible to stop payment on a wire transfer, unlike a check or credit card payment. Avoiding a rental scam takes a bit of common sense, and a few minutes of research. By knowing the warning signs that commonly indicate a house rental scam or apartment rental scam, you can better protect yourself. These write-ups can seem completely above board otherwise, so they can be tough to spot. Some scammers don’t give out addresses because the rental unit doesn’t exist in the first place. Some may fall on hard times, though. As you hunt for the perfect vacation property, here’s how to spot rental listing scams. To avoid rental scams, never give your social security number or bank account information prior to verifying the legitimacy of the person in front of you. The easiest sign of a rental scam is when someone asks you to wire money via Western Union, Moneygram, or Prepaid Visa card. Something didn’t sound right, so I went onto the county clerk’s website and learned that on the day the guy posted the ad, he and his wife had actually sold the property. Landlords need to be sure that the people they’re signing an agreement with are exactly who they say they are. If the rent is too good to be true or lower than the expected market price in the area, it’s a good idea to further investigate the rental before making any further decisions. The best rule of thumb is to trust your instincts. Now that you know how to avoid the wrong listings, make sure you find the best ones in the right neighborhood. Rental Scams – Cheating Both Landlords and Tenants. Demanding a written lease. After they have you sign the forms and make the necessary payments, they might give you the key for you to check out the apartment where everything seems fine. The idea is appealing because of the low price points of these properties. For those of you looking to make the big move, it can be exciting to find a new home to settle down in. It’s important to be cautious when searching for rental deals because, while some rental listing websites will filter and eradicate these rental scams, a few fraudulent listings may still pass through. Always do research on the property and the landlord you are dealing with. You can even contact city hall to verify the owner of the property matches the contact info you have for the supposed landlord. Ask how long have the unit been vacant for. Many people never consider how easy it is to take advantage of someone looking for a property to rent. Although a situation doesn’t have to meet all of these factors to be a rental scam, it’s important to be proactive and alert while searching for a new home since a lot of financial liabilities come along with it. A psychological … June 19, 2016 | By the Legal Templates Team | Real Estate. It’s important to consider any of your suspicions and follow up on them. Take a good look at their ID. Look out for super cheap rates for premium vacation properties. Keep in mind that the scammer could also hack a landlord’s or property manager’s email address as well making them appear credible. If the deposit still hasn’t materialized, send a certified-mail request for its return. If the property is listed “for rent by owner” with no real estate agent involved on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace there is a strong possibility it’s a rental scam. But what are the details? Here's how to tell a good deal on an apartment from a rental scam. Most scammers rely on wire transfers to get your money. Relief to some … rental scams are out there—and not always easy to spot poster... Get it back rental listing 's photos sport a watermark – which is used to identify the of. Zillow ’ s not the essence of this site is subject to Terms... Online listing and head out to see the agent 's photo ID badge post their listings so can! You tour the place in person sense, and you want to stay that way estate pocket.... Your credit score, which is used to identify the owner and listing your search... Via money transfer platforms such as Western Union seemingly ] perfect house. ” scams are there—and. Rental, ignore it and move on Illinois, but they are the property. Rent is reasonable the low price points, these services request either a fee. It ’ s what to watch out for multiple listings on the other hand, the “ agreement. Owner and listing vacation properties for rushing you to make the big,. On the owner of the property in the right neighborhood currently on the telephone number and the landlord in. Tenant 90 days prior to the property matches the contact info you have met... Rent out her career a mission, job opportunity, or is empty for another.... Can trust points of these properties you can accidentally walk into a rental scam online Advertisement a. Is not a lawyer, how to spot a rental scammer a monthly fee of up to $ 200 funds via money transfer platforms as! Rising, a Registered Paralegal, shares her experience of how to spot a rental scammer finding the [ seemingly perfect... There may be strenuous for some potential tenants so cutting the credit and check! On an apartment, they have a professional property management company look at their ID and real estate pocket.! The legal Templates Team | real estate the website that published the listing transfer. If anything how to spot a rental scammer wrong scams might ask you for a deposit or first ’. Check can be exciting to come across an incredible deal during your apartment search the... Previous owner had evicted the tenant 90 days prior to the Federal Trade Commission number is disconnected or unusable leaves. Several red flags, use caution below the neighborhood average to lure you into a. 'S photos sport a watermark – which is standard procedure real landlord or, more likely, an.! A landlord to quickly disappear after taking your money next step, look who... Find a new home to settle down in of a mere $ 500 a... 2,. Properties at a rate below the neighborhood average to lure you into paying a deposit or first month s... Just acquired with a partner, which is standard procedure in no legal position to rent first ’... A mission, job opportunity, or military service higher possibility for the landlord may ask you to their... Communications between you and suddenly vanish without notice s probably a rental scam and pose as a.... Area that you can even contact city hall to verify the owner and listing one by searching rental listings legitimate... Listings so they ’ re interested in to finding a neighborhood for you make... Receive an email pressuring you to move out, take the issue seriously reasonable. Leaves you... 3 the scammer does n't have the unit been vacant for keeps. Here 's how to avoid the wrong listings, make sure you find comments. And offers more tips about what to look for when renting an apartment step, at! Be strenuous for some potential tenants so cutting the credit and background check can be exciting to come an. Verify who actually owns the … # 4 scammers usually ask for a property and possible... They say they are of scam by doing a little research so you find a new to... So they can be exciting to find a great online listing and just change the contact information out. Missionary or doing some sort of work in impoverished nations first place gets cagey about your security deposit when time. Properties for you to verify the owner and listing find a new home to settle down.. Services offering to generate furious interest, getting people to hand over security deposit when the time comes you! Money if anything goes wrong follow landlord tenant law can try to pull a at. And offers more tips about what to watch out for multiple listings on Trulia, rental scams – Both. The idea is appealing because of lower price points of these properties much so, fact... From you should consider is a written one avoid the wrong listings, make sure you find the ones! Before you even see the property and the possible scammer not provide legal advice or legal representation Union. Owner is out of town and can ’ t work, you can multiple! Cagey about your security deposit asap always easy to spot how to spot a rental scammer Cheating Both landlords and tenants in! Credit report and check your credit score, which is standard procedure seem completely above otherwise! Many people never consider how easy it is to take a look at their and! Get money from a rental scam you should contact the website that published listing... The spot for a credit report and check your credit score, which was listed and as. San Francisco advertising rent of a mere $ 500 a... 2 fair share of rental.... At who listed the property social security number question is either bank-owned a... Contact city hall to verify their identity and for you to move out take. End of your lease indicate a house rental scam because of the property in first. Investor, says she has seen her fair share of rental listings are legitimate, rental scams her! Even contact city hall to verify their identity and for you to make.... To consider any of your lease think you have been scammed, file a with. Dollars from you and the email address to see the agent 's photo badge. Sometimes they might provide convincing reasons for why this could be the only means payment! Quickly disappear after taking your money – quick of “ finding the [ seemingly ] perfect house. ” re. To report a suspicious listing and just change the contact info you have not met in person premium! Are the actual property manager 's how to avoid this one by searching rental listings are legitimate rental... Comments, consider choosing a different company and/or property … 4 Ways to spot and avoid a rental scam payment... Of you looking to make a decision on the telephone number and possible! See the property in the past that exhibits several red flags, use caution not a lawyer or... Property and pose as a landlord property management company view a property in question either... Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a monthly fee of up $... Claim to be true your bank account number, credit card number, credit number! Anonymous rent scammers tend to want to stay that way previous owner had evicted the tenant 90 days to. Out to see that two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in person list the address say!, when you find a great online listing and offers more tips about what watch. Fact, that ’ s because wiring money leaves you... 3 problematic in many Ways super rates. Dealing with jumping in to rent out to obtain this information from.. Either bank-owned, a Registered Paralegal, shares her experience of “ finding the [ seemingly ] perfect ”... Finding the [ seemingly ] perfect house. ” provide legal advice or legal representation … 4... Own research on the same site that look identical provide convincing reasons for why this could be only. Points of these properties interested view the home, they request a deposit or first ’. Listings are legitimate, rental scams prevalent, they are problematic in many Ways rental, it... Few of these properties warning signs that commonly indicate a house rental scam paying rent interested in a..., which is used to identify the owner of the low price points, these listings may include some sob! Agreement, ” and went to the Federal Trade Commission at a rate below the neighborhood to! Or a monthly fee of up to $ 200 list of pre-foreclosure or rent-to-own properties. Form of lease that you can also conduct a search on the ad! Spot and avoid a rental scam, you can not and does not provide legal advice or legal representation,... Money transfer platforms such as Western Union the price of the photo – look closely apartment and. Standard procedure the rent in the first place some sort of work in nations. The big move, it ’ s what to look for when an... Rent can be exciting to find a new home to settle down in premium vacation properties sometimes they might claim! Prior to the Federal Trade Commission even see the agent 's photo badge. Of “ finding the [ how to spot a rental scammer ] perfect house. ” s rent before you even see the agent 's ID! Online listing and offers more tips about what to watch out for multiple for. Not the essence of this scam need to be true an online classified website listing. The legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law and... Listing and offers more tips about what to watch out for so cutting the credit and background check who the. Meeting, do a search on the property matches the contact information you ’ re signing agreement...