I have been on a roll lately. The other day I attracted the attention of not 1, but 2 families who were going to rent near each other. I was already visualizing how pleased the property owners would be.

So, it comes down to verifying employment. Rarely do you get an HR phone and fax number, so I knew I would need to do a little research. However, when I called the Supervisor of the prospect to get that information he verified the income, and position of the prospect. On top of that I got a glowing recommendation. He didn't seem sure in his recall of exact wages and pay periods. I said, "Okay. Do you have the Human Resource number? I'll just give them a quick call." The "Supervisor said, "Oh, we don't have a department like that..., we're drillers".  Me, "OK. How about Accounts Payable?" No answer.

Well, I had a glowing recommendation. Almost all the blanks were filled in. I probably could have gone with that...But, no. I had the bright idea of looking the company up on the Internet and getting the number for the nonexistent HR office, as well as the fax number. I faxed over the request to finish the employment reference. Well, a few minutes later I got a call from the HR administrator. They had never heard of the "Supervisor". The employee had been terminated about two weeks ago. Wow! Lying on paper, and right to my face. The HR department was a little upset about the (F R A U D) as well.

I tried calling the applicants several times. Now, no one will answer my calls. Darn. I could have had fun with this; but the Supervisor must have tipped off my applicants. ...I'm just glad I had not tipped off the property owners that we had prospects.

That, in light of several other applicants that really, really wanted to rent not returning my phone calls any more. I became a little grumpy. Most likely that was why I followed the guy that rear ended me and took off. I did get 911 in on that escapade as reported in an earlier blog. I think I experienced a little displaced satisfaction when I saw him handcuffed and hauled down to the Biloxi PD. On top of his car being crumpled in the front end, he now has the following charges: Leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license, driving without insurance...

There was a time in my life that I would have felt guilty about pressing charges. No more. Standing up is the only way we can clean up some of the lying, cheating, scamming--just plain wrong behavior that is going on in our world today.

Speaking of scamming--I am publishing this blog to Localism Mississippi because I want the public to be aware that real estate scamming is rampant, and it is a two way street. As a rental prospect you need to be careful about who you respond to--As a Landlord, you need to be careful who you respond to.

In either position--before you do anything, PLEASE do some extra research. No matter which position you are in; renter, or Landlord, go to: Rental Scams and review the latest real estate scams. I also published a recent scam I experienced, but fortunately avoided at Craigslist, essentially warning Craigslist readers about scams originating at Craigslist.

Speaking of Rentals--if you are moving to Harrison County, Mississippi--contact me. I can most likely help you get settled and "Moving in the Right Direction".  Many new moves will benefit from renting first, getting your bearings, then buying. I am equipped and ready to assist with the plan and process.

Tip: Any time you are meeting with a REALTOR or an agent get a couple of forms of photo id and ask for their license wallet card--which should match in some way, the business card.