Beware of Housing Scams

CraigsList

In this scam, the “landlord” will list a home or apartment at an unbelievably great price. They’ll feature photos of an adorable place with the desired amenities. The pictures often come from actual for sale listings. The landlord is typically our of the country for some reason but will send you the keys once you send him the first and last month’s rent or deposit.

The problem comes when all the renters try to move in and discover it was never the landlord’s to rent in the first place. In one case, such a “landlord” walked away with $60,000 in collected fees from potential renters from a single apartment. A slight variation of this scam occurs when the crook rents a house or apartment with the intention of re-renting it to dozens of people.

If you have been a victim of such a scam please click here to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office.

FBI – Be Crime Smart

Getting educated and taking a few basic steps may well keep you from becoming a victim of crime and fraud—and save you a great deal of time and trouble. You can also help us protect your families and communities by reporting suspicious activities and helping find wanted fugitives and missing kids.

To learn more View the FBI Website.

National Association of REALTORS

Social Media and Cyber Safety Strategies