Craigslist rental scams are active in the Midwest, ripping off renters and affecting homeowners. Columbus saw these types of scams a few short years ago, and unfortunately they are making a comeback. Rising rental costs are making conditions ripe for scam artists around the country. Here are examples of some rental scams, and how you can protect yourself!
In Columbus in 2013, Craigslist scam artists duped a relocating family out of a $2,200, by presenting a foreclosed, vacant home as a rental property. A few weeks after the family moved in, HUD officials arrived on the scene, discarding their belongings and locking them out. The victims of the scam lost not only their money, but all their possessions within the home. As illegal occupants of the foreclosed home, the relocating family had no recourse with HUD.
In Chicago during 2014, a man posing as an apartment manager listed various units for rent on Craigslist. He collected so-called security deposits from several people, and gave them false keys to the apartments. He had no legitimate connection to the buildings involved, but he presented himself convincingly enough to fool anxious renters.
In Muncie, Indiana just a couple weeks ago, an optimistic renter fell for a Craigslist scam that offered a nice home for rent for $750 a month. The eager renter wired half of the security deposit, and then went to look around the house and peek in through the windows. She discovered it was occupied by the owner, who had recently listed it for sale with an agent. The fake rental photos on the Craigslist ad were stolen from the MLS site.
These scams are not only expensive to the victims, they are heartbreaking as well. Finding an affordable place to live is becoming difficult in many areas of the country, and rental scams especially prey on those who are looking for below-market rents. Rental scams also target tenants who have pets, or damaged credit, who may get a cold shoulder from typical landlords.
Here are tips to protect yourself from rental scams:
- If a rental ad sounds too cheap, or good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
- Never communicate exclusively through email or texts.
- Never wire money for a security deposit.
- Beware of out-of-town contacts who insist on doing business at a distance.
- Do not rent a place “sight unseen.” If you can’t get inside, it isn’t for rent.
- If there is a “for sale” sign in the yard, but the property is also listed for rent, check with us to verify the rental terms.
- If your contact person only wants to accept cash, there’s a problem.
- If your contact wants your security deposit before he or she does anything else, it’s fishy.
- Ask us for information about local rentals!
As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.
Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
