How to Spot and Avoid a Rental Scam

One of the places that many people use to advertise a real estate rental is Craig's List. Another Venue is Backpage. These are two places where a Landlord can advertise for free. Scammers treat lists like these as if it was their job. A number of different persons or sometimes the same person using different names and email addresses contacts as many people as they can find who are advertising to bait them into a scam.

Say for an example that you have a place available to rent. The trickster will contact you and say that they are interested in renting. They will tell you a little about themselves then follow up with questions for you about the accommodation. When a potential landlord is robbed it is not funny. The introductions however once recognized can be very comical.

A common set of factors are the person being from England, working in Africa and planning to move to the United States. Another common factor is strange ways of spelling English names as well as overall poor spelling and grammar. Often too much information is offered and an assumption is made that the person has already been accepted to move in.

Names often seem to be backwards with last names as first names or spelled oddly. Some of the names I have come across were Hope Mikel, Wright Colins, Roland Kate, Temmy Tony and Jennifer Mertinez. Here are a few portions of unedited notes that I have received:

"Blossom Dickinson from London, United Kingdom, 27 years old lady from a Christian background. Working with Total Oil & Gas in UK as a Geologist,presently on an assignment to an Oil field"

Blossom Dickenson

"I am in london as at now where i just finished my degree programme and relocating.kindly email me again with the below details so we can proceed and have some things done concerning the Rent."

Kathie Stewart