Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell, in conjunction with the Vermont Realtors, is warning the public of a recurring Craigslist scam that targets property renters. Although Craigslist postings contain links to scam warnings on the bottom of each listing, sophisticated scammers are able to create fake listings that appear authentic, and therefore consumers may be less likely to click the warning links. Scammers may copy pictures, descriptions, and Realtornames from legitimate real estate sale postings and repost the information on Craigslist claiming the homes are for rent. Similarly, other scammers make up listings for places that do not exist. Often scammers will advertise properties with low rental prices to entice potential renters, and then request the renters wire deposits without first meeting in person or showing the properties. “Don’t trust the pictures. Never send money unless you or someone you know has been inside the property and met the owner, property manager, or real estate agent,” said Attorney General Sorrell.
Rich Gardner, co-owner of RE/MAX North Professionals in Colchester and Vermont Realtors® member, recounted an instance in which he had been contacted by a consumer who became suspicious of a Craigslist listing after wiring money to someone in Kentucky. “The scammer even used my name when responding to this consumer, telling her that they would be in touch with me to take the listing off the market,” said Gardner. Gardner proceeded to work with the Colchester Police Department and followed up with the RealtorsAssociation and the Attorney General’s Office.
Below are the recommended ways to watch out for the signs of a potential scam:
- The rental price is too low to be realistic – A property with a rent that seems “too good to be true” may not be legitimate.
- The scammer asks you to wire money – Be careful before you wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, or first month’s rent. Once you wire the money, it’s nearly impossible to get it back.
- The scammer wants a security deposit or the first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease – Be wary of the situation if you or a friend can’t see the rental property or meet the departing renter.
- If you search online and find the same ad listed under a different name, or you find the telephone number listed on the ad is the same one found on other listings around the country, it may be a scam.
- The local Realtor® association cannot verify the validity of a rental listing.
- The scammer is out of the country – Scammers may claim to have a lawyer or agent working for them in your area, and sometimes they will send a fake key. Dealing with local landlords, real estate agents, or property management companies who can show you the property is a safer way to rent property than an online-only transaction.
If you have sent funds in a rental listing scam, you should immediately contact the Consumer Assistance Program by filing a complaint online atwww.uvm.edu/consumeror by calling 800-649-2424.
You should also inform your financial institution to put a stop payment on your accounts. If you see an advertisement on Craigslist that you think may be a scam, you should report it to Craigslist by clicking on the link at the bottom of the posting.
Consumers can get regular updates about scams by following the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program on Twitter @VTAttorneyGen or on the Vermont Attorney General’s Office Facebook page.
Vermont AG: Dec 2, 2014