RENTAL FRAUD - IT COULD HAPPEN EVEN TO YOU! DO YOUR HOMEWORK
We have had similar incidents happen here in Central Florida. Someone posing as the owner of a vacant house in foreclosure and then absconding with the deposit and rent money after they find a gullible person to rent it out. Always check the ownership and foreclosure records before you rent out a home now a days. If you are dealing with someone claiming to manage the property, at minimum check their license status and www.myfloridalicense.com.
Be vigilent Mr. / Ms. Broker! Rental scams can hit not only renters, but brokers too.
Here in Palm Beach County, we have more than our share of $35,000 wage earners buying $1.9 million dollar homes - we have people willing to rent those $1.9 million dollar homes for $1,000 a month - and apparently renters that take the bait.
The Palm Beach Post reports today:
Albert Linden didn't own the luxurious house he told desperate potential renters they could call home for surprisingly low monthly fees.
In fact, he was leasing the property from a landlord - although he'd never actually paid rent, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office.
Linden, 44, told people they could rent either the whole $1.9 million house at 13305 Indian Mound Road, or individual rooms, but then he stole the deposits and never delivered the door keys, sheriff's Deputy Tom Turner said today .
Law enforcement is on the hunt for the Connecticut native, who posted ads on various websites including Craigslist.
Deputies suspect the 6-foot-2 man with blond hair and a British accent might be in the Bahamas.
"We know he was transported to Tri-Rail with large bags," Turner said. "We will find Mr. Linden, and he will go to jail for this."
Linden is charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud and 14 counts of grand theft.
He has bilked unwitting renters of at least $40,000, including $20,000 he tricked one man into believing would go toward a down payment to buy the house, Turner said. Linden typically pocketed $400 to $1,000 deposits from renters, authorities said.
Turner called Linden a "con artist of the first degree," who advertised rooms and homes under "The Tropics Wellington" and "Stallion Holidays," which aren't licensed in the city or county for rentals.
"They looked legitimate," said sheriff's Cpl. Paul Rubino. "But when you looked up the company, you would see it isn't legitimate. Sadly a lot of people don't do that."
Copyright 2010 Richard P. Zaretsky, Esq.
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Be sure to contact your own attorney for your state laws, and always consult your own attorney on any legal decision you need to make. This article is for information purposes and is not specific advice to any one reader.
Richard Zaretsky, Esq., RICHARD P. ZARETSKY P.A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 1655 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD, SUITE 900, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401, PHONE 561 689 6660 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 561 689 6660 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting email: RPZ99@Florida-Counsel.com - FLORIDA BAR BOARD CERTIFIED IN REAL ESTATE LAW - We assist Brokers and Sellers with Short Sales and Modifications and Consult with Brokers and Sellers Nationwide! Shortsales@Florida-Counsel.com New Website www.Florida-Counsel.com.
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