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FBI: Home sellers and renters should be award of online scams

March 12, 2010 - Both landlords and renters should be aware of internet-based scams when listing or searching for an apartment, according to a new report from FBI.

Researchers from the bureau have identified several forms of online fraud in the real estate sector, the report states. For example, some scammers pose as homeowners who are doing missionary work in a foreign country and use actual online ads to attract tenants. Once they are contacted, these individuals ask would-be renters to send deposit checks. The scammers then deposit these funds immediately and cease contact.

Landlords should also be on the lookout for dodgy responses to their online ads, as the FBI has seen cases of potential renters writing bad checks or giving apartment owners incorrect amounts and requesting refunds.

Agency representatives recommend that these homeowners steer clear of potential tenants who agree to rent a property without seeing it, ask if they can write a cashier's check, pay more than the amount that was agreed upon or exhibit a general sense of urgency in completing the rental process.

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