Yesterday we received a ‘Red Alert’ email from our local MLS board about the Rental Scam on Listed properties. The PressDemocrat had an interesting article about the subject earlier this week.
There is a rental scam taking place in which listed properties are advertised on Craigslist and other online classified services for rent, when the property is not for rent at all. The ads run for a very brief period of time.
How can you protect your listings from being a part of the scam?
Some brokers have removed the address of their listings on the internet. While this hides the address from the scammers, both the buying public and the seller could be disadvantaged.
Monitor classified advertising internet sites like Craigslist to watch for ads using your listing information “for rent”.
Put a “NOT FOR RENT” rider on your signs.
The FBI’s guidelines for the general public to avoid being victimized.
- Only deal with landlords or renters who are local.
- Be suspicious if you’re asked to only use a wire transfer service.
- Beware of e-mail correspondence from the “landlord” that’s written in poor or broken English.
- Research the average rental rates in that area and be suspicious if the rate is significantly lower.
- Don’t give out personal information, like social security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
Should you have your property listed, please follow the advise your Realtor gives you. He/She is made aware of the problem and knows how to handle this. So far we do not know of people being victimized in Sonoma County and right now it is a major nuisance.
Enjoy the rest of this wonderful weekend, it’s a bit breezy still sunny and warm.
Mirjam