Thank you Pamela for posting this true story.   Renters, if a rental is advertised by an individual versus a property Management company, please be aware of another rental scam:  homes that are listed For Sale are being copied by scammers and posted For Rent in order to get security deposits from unsuspecting renters.

Via Pamela Seley, REALTOR® Temecula Valley California Homes (REALTY EXECUTIVES):

Scam Alert!! Renter Loses Security Deposit, Forced to Move

True story: A trusting would-be tenant answered an ad on Craigslist to rent a home in Renter loses security deposit, forced to moveHemet, California. She met the owner at advertised home. Loved it, so she signed a lease, turned over security deposit and first month’s rent.

Everything’s going great in her new home. Imagine her surprise after several weeks, the sheriff knocks on her door. Asks her who she is, and what’s she doing there.

She explains, and the sheriff asks to see her lease. She is informed the “real” owner of the home contacted the police department that someone was trespassing and illegally living in their home.

Lucky for the tenant she had paperwork to prove she thought she was renting the home from the owner, and not from a con-artist. This is happening more often than any of us would like to know, and is fraud.

The tenant lost her security deposit to the scammer, and had to move. The owner of record was kind enough to help her with moving costs.

If the tenant did not have paperwork to prove her story, she could have been arrested and charged with trespassing.

Hope the “real” criminal finds her way behind bars.

Pamela Seley, REALTOR®
Short Sale Resource | CA DRE lic # 01824145
www.temeculavalleyhome.com | Dir 951.491.4063 | Email pamelaseley@gmail.com

Serving Southwest Riverside County California| Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Winchester, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Corona, Wildomar | Temecula short sale agent

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All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Copyright © 2009-2011 by Pamela Seley, REALTOR®

Wendy Cutrufelli

 

 

 



Wendy Cutrufelli
Broker Associate
925.917.1135

The positions on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent Alain Pinel Realtors' positions, strategies or opinions.

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7 Comments on Scam Alert!! Renter Loses Security Deposit, Forced to Move

DEC
06
2011
200,721 Points 2 Featured Posts

Very important info to get out there..great post, thank you
10:33am • #1
232,432 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

My daughter almost fell for a similar scam posted on Craigslist.  I researched the home for her and found out the lady trying to rent it to my daughter didn't own the home.  The home was actually listed in our mls as a short sale so I notified the listing agent about the scam and let her take it from there.
10:53am • #2
126,692 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Tara, thanks for stopping by to comment.  You're right, very important information to get out to the public and I thank Pamela for the original post.
10:57am • #3
126,692 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Terry, it happens a LOT.  Some potential renters showed up at one of my listings to view the property before sending their security deposit to the person renting it (not the legal owner).  Can you imagine how surprised the sellers were?
10:57am • #4
297,163 Points 9 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We are seeing more and more of this, all over.  I would think that the word had gotten out by now, but these guys are good!  So sad that our society has to bear witness to this kind of thing.
2:06pm • #5
470,318 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Wendy, thanks for the reblog. It is amazing the audacity these scammers have! 
8:12pm • #6
MAR
10
2012
1,949,264 Points 155 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have to search for my listings at least once a week to make sure someone didn't hi-jack them and create a rental property with it.

 
3:02pm • #7


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