Rental Scam Alert- "Red Flags" that indicate a listing might be a fraud

Rental scams are on the rise recently and websites like craigslist are the prime targets for these scams. There are a number of things to watch out for that might indicate that a listing is not real. Lets take a quick look at a few of those "Red Flags" right now.

Can't personally talk to a property manager or landlord

• One thing with many of these rental scams is the fact that you will not be able to talk to some one personally. If a listing dose not have a phone number and all of the communication takes place through email then it is a good idea to proceed with caution. Also if a phone number is provided but it keeps going to an answering machine and you do not get anyone calling you back this can also be a sign that a listing is a part of a scam... or the landlord/property manager is just plain terrible at their job and most likely not a rental that you want.

 Unable to see the property in person because landlord or property manager is out of state or country

• Scammers never seem to be able to meet at a property and show it. Often times they will give excuses that they are out of town, or "in the military" and out of the country on deployment. Also they will want to conduct all business over the internet rather than in person. It is not uncommon for legitimate landlords or property management companies to have you drive by the property to see if you would be interested in the area before scheduling a showing, but if any of them require any sort of fee before you get to see the inside of the property you should try a different place.

Poor grammar,  poor punctuation, and wording that just doesn't make sense or sounds odd

• Often times these scams originate out of the country. Although everyone goofs every once in a while, in many of these scams the person writing clearly doesn't have a grasp of the English language. Any email that is written by some one that doesn't appear to be a native English speaker should send up red flags. Here is an example of text for a scam email that I received recently, the English was so bad that I had no idea what they were trying to communicate.
• After receiving the keys and you are not okay with the house, your money is refundable, and our keys should not spent upto 5days with you, before posting it back to us, otherwise, we will agree that you are okay with the house.   

Communication comes from multiple people

• Although it is some times common when you are dealing with a property management company to talk to or be handed off to another person you generally wont be contacted by the other person without being informed of who you should be contacted by. If you start talking to some one named Jim Hanson and then all of a sudden you start getting emails from a Sarah Desmond and you have no idea who Sarah is then this should set off some red flags and you should proceed with caution

 The rental price is too good to be true

• In an effort to generate a large amount of interest and to maximize the number of potential victims scammers will list a property way under fair market value, often time rent amounts will be half that of similar properties in the area.  If you happen to see a "too good to be true" rent amount then often times it is, this is not to say that a legitimate rental can't be priced low it just means you need to be extra cautious when looking at lower than average rental amounts.

 Being asked to send money overseas

• This should be the biggest red flag of them all. If at any time you are asked to send money over seas especially be very, very wary. Often time the scamsters will ask you to wire money to an overseas bank account in order to get the keys to the property. Often time they say they need the money for a security deposit before they can release the keys to a property and often times this scammer will tell you that you can send the keys back if you don't like the property and they will return your security deposit to you.  DO NOT buy that line for a minute, once the money leaves this country it is GONE.

 These are just a few of the main Red Flags that should tip you off to the fact that someone is up to no good. If you are looking for a rental it is a good idea to work with a property management company that specializes in finding tenants rentals, many property management companies can help you find a rental even if it is not one of their companies listings and even better yet this service doesn't cost you anything extra. Also don't be afraid to call a potential scamster out by asking them to meet you at the property for a showing. Remember when it's too good to be true often times it is.

iDeal Realty & Management

9051 W Kelton Lane, Suite 10

Peoria, Arizona 85382

(623) 201-3544

www.idealrealtyaz.com