FTC Issues Reminder about Rental Scams

Summer is right around the corner and people are looking for rentals for either living or vacation.  The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a reminder for consumers to be on the lookout for rental scams. According to the FTC report, scammers know that finding the right apartment or vacation rental can be hard work, and a seemingly good deal is hard to pass up. They’ve been known to game some vacation rental websites and bulletin boards. The take-away: when looking for a rental, it’s renter beware.

The reminder included some common scams that have been reported to them by consumers and real estate agents, including:
  • Hijacked Ads: Some scammers hijack a real rental or real estate listing by changing the email address or other contact information, and placing the modified ad on another site.
  • Phantom Rentals: Other rip-off artists make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist, and try to lure the renter in with the promise of low rent, or great amenities.
The FTC also included information about signs to watch out for with a scam, such as requiring the potential renter to wire money, requiring a security deposit and/or rent before the renter has viewed the rental property, and claiming to be out of the country and unavailable to meet in person.

More info here--
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0079-rental-listing-scams

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