Types of Rental Scams

This scam has been seen more recently and is used in conjunction with the Bad Checks Scam (seen below), sometimes the forward what appears to be a legitimate PayPal or email transfers with the effort to have you forward overages, corrupt your device, and or get possession of your property to clear out appliances. The fraudster will contact you via email or text stating that they want to rent your apartment.

Once you reply to their email, their response will contain a well crafted story about their background. It may even contain a picture of a id (which is most likely falsified). Their response email may appear legitimate at first, but here are some things to look out for:

• Poor grammar, unusual spelling mistakes, poor formatting, or sentences that do not make sense when grouped together. This usually indicates that the person is following off of a script when creating the email.
• An inability to view the apartment in person/take a phone call/skype. Usually, they will say they they are out of state. Scammers will not usually make phone calls or do a face-to-face video chat.
• Aggressively attempting to get details about the lease or rent details. If they seem extremely eagar to get a copy of the lease or send you payment, they may be attempting to get your personal information or attempting the bad checks scam (seen below).

1. Example Scam: As regards the lease agreement,if there is any,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place and I will abide by it I will appreciate a quick response from you so that we can move ahead as regards sending payment for rent and deposit to you.
2. Example Scam: I would love to rent the place for the time it's available for .I'll be busy with travel arrangements but I will like you to get back to me as soon as you can so that I can make preparations for the rent and deposit fee to be sent out to you before my arrival in your place in order to secure the place before I come..
3. Example Scam: i will need you to provide me with your full name in which the check will be issued and your complete physisical contact address to which it will be sent to by my, as soon as you provides these,i will forward it to my financier with an instuction to issue and send you the check

The fraudster will contact you (usually by email) stating that they want to rent your apartment, room, etc.

They will tell you that they will send you a check -or- cashier's check over the amount you are requesting and ask that you send them back the overage. (One of the reasons they use is that they need the money to get to the U.S.).

This is a scam! The victim will cash the check and wire the overage to them. The counterfeit check will then be returned to the victim and the victim is liable to their bank for the full amount of the check. You would not only be out the money you sent to them; but you would be responsible for the bad check.

 Lister advertises for a property that is not real, not theirs, or not available. Please be sure this is a real property PRIOR to sending any money or releasing any financial information. If you believe you have been scammed or are viewing a scam listing, please contact the Police Department. Things to look out for:

• Rent up front before showing in some cases, and definitely no paper trail.
• Limited photos in the posting. frequently the photos they do have are either taken from other units for rent, or directly from google.
• The price is typically 10 - 20% lower and includes items other listings do not have. eg furniture
• Communication is mainly by text or email. Reasons for not meeting sound realistic.
• The Lease tends to be well crafted and lends credibility to the story
• Showings if they happen, tend to encourage the security deposit up front in order to secure the property.

1. Example Scam Advertisement:  I have pleasure in offering this unique modern one bedroom Apartment, which is offered fully furnished to a high standard throughout. The lounge is a good size with a spacious and fully equipped kitchen. The bathroom is unique and fully fitted to a high standard. There is ample storage space throughout the whole apartment. The Apartment is situated in a very good residential area of the downtown. The property comes with it's own secured off-street car parking space. Rent include all Utilities. Available Now. 
2. Example Scam Response: Oh yes the apartment is available, kindly write me to {Email:}, so as to forward you the details and every necessary things you need to know about the apartment. . Thank you
3. Example Response:  "Regarding the procedure prior renting and securing the apartment. You have understand where i will be coming from to show you the apartment. We require 1 month rent and the security deposit upfront , just to make sure someone is not wasting our time. But this payment will only be collected after the lease agreement has been forwarded to you which you need to print and bring along with you as at when viewing is scheduled.
   As soon as the payment has been confirmed, you could schedule the best day that works for you to come down and view the apartment, but if you do not like the apartment or maybe you are not comfortable with the look or may be different from what you have seen in the pictures, the lease will be voided automatically and your payment is also refundable immediately..Thank you"