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What to look for in a rental scam situation.

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Silicon Valley Cal BRE# 01358433

 

I don’t quite know why I am so lucky as to have another listing targeted as a vehicle for a con, but I must be doing something right.   Once again, one of my listings has been hijacked, this time on Hotpad.  They scammers took my For Sale listing and created another listings as a rental.   Check them out below.


FOR SALE

 

 

FOR RENT

 

 

The way these scams work, the scammers will provide some reason why they cannot meet with the prospective renters in person.  If they like what they see online, then they ask for the renters to send the deposit to them at a different location.   I was tipped off because a prospective renter called me to ask if this was for sale.  I contacted Hotpad and asked them to remove the rental listing.

 

Here are what I consider to be some clues or red flags that a rental property may really be vehicle for scam:

 

  1. You cannot go and see the insider of the property
  2. The rent is very low compared to the rest of the area
  3. The landlord cannot meet you in person at the property
  4. Landlord wants you to send the money out of state or out of the country    

 

 But most of all, don’t do business with people with whom you cannot meet in person.