Don't Get Suckered Into a Craigslist Rental Scam

This scam started several years ago, and it's still going strong today. The scammers are advertising rentals they don't own on Craigslist. The homes are often vacant or foreclosed upon, but they can just as easily be occupied or for sale through a real estate agent.

The crooks pretending to be landlords often say they live in Nigeria or somewhere else in Africa. They ask tenants to send the first month's rent and a security deposit, promising in exchange to mail the keys. Lots of these so-called rentals in Sacramento are my listings. The crooks just swipe my photos online and post them on Craigslist. One tip-off to an unsuspecting tenant should be the rent is remarkably low for the neighborhood. These scams are happening all over the country but they're especially prevalent in California, warns the DRE.

Don't get scammed. Google the address to see if it's listed for sale. Knock on the door to see who lives in the home. Don't mail cash. Ask to see proof of ownership and a valid identification. Or just trust your gut instincts that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• How Foreclosures Hurt Neighborhoods
  
• Who Strips Foreclosure Homes?
  
• How to Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Technorati tag: craigslist rental scams

_{At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE # 00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.}