Let's say you're a renter in the Valley... and finally, find a place you can afford. But days after you move in, police are knocking on your door and windows wanting you out.
WARNING! That property management company is in on the scam! That warning sticker should have been a dead give away. Beware of Zillow and Trulia listings! Many of them are also a scam! They ask you to apply to rent the property before they will even show you the home or apartment. Then if you are foolish enough to give them your Social Security number directly instead of through a secure third party like 'Smart Move' they steal your personal info and sell it. If your credit is good enough they commit identity fraud and open a line of credit in your name.
The old scam of the landlord not being able to meet them is a minimum of 10 years old if not older. I never gave them any money, and they always had an excuse why they couldn't meet up with me to view the property et cetera. I will never do business with someone I cannot meet in person.
WARNING! That property management company is in on the scam! That warning sticker should have been a dead give away. Beware of Zillow and Trulia listings! Many of them are also a scam! They ask you to apply to rent the property before they will even show you the home or apartment. Then if you are foolish enough to give them your Social Security number directly instead of through a secure third party like 'Smart Move' they steal your personal info and sell it. If your credit is good enough they commit identity fraud and open a line of credit in your name.
This almost happened to me a couple years back we got to the house & waiting on the code but first wanted us to send a 2,000 deposit we called the number that was on the sign upfront they told us beware of scammers you have to make an appointment then send you a code. You can’t trust anything or anyone in these hard times everyone’s hungry for money. Praying some how you get that deposit back or someone blesses you guys with it.
The mastermind of these scams are usually from outside the US….but they still need someone in the US to change locks etc. and take the fall if the scam is busted by Law enforcement.
I bet you anything they have local scouts who earn commission on getting access codes to vacant residences but the actual scammers work at overseas offices in India or Nigeria. This makes it nearly impossible to prosecute and scammers will still bank.
@@amberg4131 scammers know how to use the banking system and how to open fake bank accounts. I fell for a fake check scam back in 2016. It was a legit check, from 5thThird Bank, with valid routing number, I even called the real bank, not the phone number the scammer gives out, and they said the account was active and had the money in it, still, it was FAKE, bank processed check and stated it was fraudulent. They are good at what they do, otherwise they won't waste their time. The best way for a victim to validate a check is by giving it to a check cashers rather than bank to verify, since a bank has a delay of a few days to a week for authentication.
@@travis2231 yea my dad in Texas got one of those secret shopper checks. He was hurt from work waiting for his surgery to finally help his hand so he can drive truck again. So I think he responded to this ad for secret shopper or something and they said a bonus was given. But they sent the wrong check amount so you had to send some of it back after depositing it. But my dad said it seemed off like a lot of steps instead of re issuing a new check. So he asked the bank teller. He gave her a heads up of the situation and brought it to the tellers attention who Flagged it and said that they would wait for it to clear. Dad didn't want to take the money out of the check right away I mean he could have but he was playing it safe. Sure enough as he expected it was fake. I didn't see the check.but there's also legit secret shoppers. I just don't know how they get paid
First red flag asking for money with an app second red flag not meeting the landlord in person third red flag no walk through with the landlord fourth red flag no contract agreement in writing.
Social distancing made these red flags easier to navigate for scammers too though. These would have been no brainers a few years ago. Now even reputable companies have to make accommodations to mention contactless renting or else they’ll get uproar over discrimination to disabled and high risk folks.
The first text "I'm telling you this so you can relax..." Honestly you should always have your guard up. It's not her fault but she probably will never see her money again.
Maintaining a good rental history and decent credit rating is incredibly important when trying to find a place to rent. Desperate people with bad credit and poor rental history that can’t go through a property management group are usually the victims of these scams. No one else will rent to them …so they will overlook obvious warning signs out of pure desperation.
Our SQUATTER FINALLY left Housing is Key sent him a check for $8000 Then he left not paying a cent 10month Free Rent+Utilities a Huge Mess and Damage !! How is this Fair/ legal who's making these stupid laws !!! THESE ARE YOUR TAX DOLLARS being given away !!
Why was the warning in the kitchen cabinet and not on the door or in multiple conspicuous locations? As much as this is an obvious scam, the sign placement doesn’t make sense to me.
Why not rent a low income apartment. I live in a low income apartment, work full time. Got scammed because people insist on not living below their income. Thought it was a deal - God has his way
There are many more scammers renting rooms. Very sorry, many people loose everything by scams. My oldest sister did it to me as well as refused let me have my gallbladder out. As much as the Arizona health department gets in dollars they are not up for the tasks for any medical conditions. Laryngitis is way to much for any of our Arizona doctors file clerks & office managers. Dealing with a venter right now and the clerks answering the phone did not even know basic terms used in the admissions forms. The lady then talked about covering her ass, & mine. Not much Integrity & many suffer.
I am very confused by your comment- how did your older sister have any ability to decide whether or not you could have surgery? What does the health department have to do with the rental market?
@Blue Blizard it is very sad. My oldest sister & brother are extremely controlling, lazy & manipulative. Had collapsed from heart condition at my front, clarify renting a room at a house. It is not normal situation but my doctor needed me to get test stat, EMT came left when one roommate sister said to EMT “is she going to live”. I was beside myself could not drive myself, so I called my Mom. That night the owner of the house called as I waited for the test was screaming at me so my elderly mother grabbed my phone, that women yelled at my mother. Ended up my sister & brother wanted to sell me things, I needed my galbadder out. They forced, threaten & then slandered me. It very sad. My siblings took money from my mother & me left me without transportation then stop me & my mother from speaking. She died in December not knowing the trust. My sister took everything my mother left me. My mother was 94 & true is I look fine but have multiple health issues. Did not want to explain but it domestic violence, renting scams & not protective services. Been advocating since then almost 10 years but my sibling still lying. They promised to not take my mom out of her home. They took her out. She could barely speak told my brother “Barbara now”, she was dying. As I sat at her bedside she told me barrel any sound but strongly animated mouth movement, “Take ME Home, Now”. I cried told her remember you gave the power to Diane & Jimmy. A tear went down her face & I cried. Told her I was sorry and I love her! Misunderstanding happen in my family because refuse to let me speak that what the perverts at the health department did. Has those incompetent unprofessional none medical personal done a medical assessment I not lost my family. Are you less confused? Might have to write a book to explain... Take care. Sh@t happens!
@@bswogger4656 Both my brothers scammed my mother out of her beloved home wherein shock set in & stroked into a vegetative state dying within 2 years lying there like a zombie unable to eat or talk, her 2 favorite things to do too. She finally died in that strange facility surrounded by the sons who matricided her by neglect for illicit monetary gain of all her assets and beloved home not knowing what happened to me, her only devoted daughter illegally evicted as a beneficiary. I had to go back to my home after the several glorious years we spent together to my home completely vandalized as I wouldn't leave her by herself afraid what her " 2 boys " she'd called them (both elderly) would do next. They never reimbursed me for carrying all the expenses leaving me broke on purpose so I'd take 1/50th of what was actually left by this beautiful elderly German farmer & factory girl. Hopefully if our justice system works, they'll be charged, indicted & serve time for what they did. Elder financial fraud is the number one financial crime in Cali though we have more of an injustice system with bribery & corruption common. VICTIMS suffer with CROOKS just a product for the times. The whole convoluted antiquated system needs an overhaul without the privatization for profit prisons. Election of judges working with district attorneys plus public defenders smacks of cronyism too.
@@sheilascanlon4928 very sorry! Sorry your Mother died & died in that manner! Sorry your siblings took advantage. My siblings are cowards! My Mother was the hysterical type when I came to me, her youngest. My sister Diane blames my mother for violence, sex abuse & neglect, while she was the sole reason anyone could groom my Mom. Never ever safe in my Mothers Home & my big brother half the reason. My dad died just before my big brother with my sisters & their weirdo pervert husbands profited finically from trashing me. My sweet nephew Ryan is an educator and he took on abusive stands not accompanying my Disability even though it the Law. His brother has a BS in Criminal Justice & he to dismisses the laws while gossiping with his parents. Abuser abuse, they do not change. Was so sick vomiting daily few months with them forcing me to buy condo while screaming “shut up sit down”, Diane Allen & he sick husband Toni Allen, both retired city tempe & Phoenix pervert employees. Sickos all work together!
This does not ring true, if the guy already got the partial deposit WHY then would he send the combination to the front door? Why can't our traffic ticket giving cops find out who the guy is by looking where the deposit went? Renters should know that they have to sign a lease BEFORE being allowed into the premises.
Be careful buying cars and boats as well….they busted a group of individuals in my area last year selling stolen cars and boats over the state line using a stolen notary public seal. The thieves would backdate a sell date on the titles for 1-2 years prior to the actual date to themselves and then sell the item to someone else who would have no way of knowing that the seller had never actually officially owned it.
Had a guy and his wife and kids at a buy here pay here. Usually these places popup all over. But this guy had his wife and three kids. It was my ex's and my first good quality car. We bought an old beaten station wagon from a friend but the transmission blew like not even four months later. Anyway we got this car. Used tax money. Paid 2500 for a 2003 ford I can't remember what. Had some issues. My sister's bf is a mechanic so he said we needed a new top half engine. She and him went to a junk yard in Elmira bought a junker engine whole thing 150. I paid for the labor to remove the old engine put in the new engine and the days it sat in the shop another 2 k. We had a few payments left. $400 when they the buy here pay here people just up and moved. I have an email I'm trying to finish talking to them to get the title for the car paid out. My bf and I broke up and he had the car. They said they would send me the forms in the mail for the car and I would wire them the money. They said they would take $200 and send me his title. I send them the money Give them the money order or w.u code.i think it was w.u I sent it. And then nothing....the car gets repossessed....all that work and money I put into that car gone....now someone has a nice reliable ford with a clunker engine . I was pissed. Scammers. All the lot
When I was looking for a place, came across an apartment. Usually the photos and everything are older not within the year but I didn't know anything. Then the guy the owner you contact is through email or text not talking. So I texted and get this response from a guy who said he's a pastor and he has this house he wants to rent but he's out of state ...yeah nope. But this woman when I was in the shelter temporarily, I think she had either her ssi check or something bc she gave this guy money and didn't get a receipt and they never showed up for any meetings. She was out front of a vacant house the neighbors had to tell her that sketchy people were climbing thru the windows and he cops were coming. The poor lady was taken for 900$. But also if it's too good to be true chances are it is. I'm lucky I'm at where I'm at. It's an all women's building. It's not fully apartments but studios. We pay our rent in the main office and it's all legit. Scammers get very creative though. I had a friends Facebook get hacked. He tried telling me if I heard the news he got approved for a grant for like 30k that he doesn't have to pay back. I ask him to send me the links and then he sends me this woman's fb profile. Tells me to reach out to herto apply. I was ignoring him after that. He kept egging me on to message her quickly. So it must have been two accounts Bc when I didn't do anything, he said have you heard back yet. Then after 5 minutes he said you should really reach out to her soon. Sketchy. I have the screen shots too I meant to bring it up to him when I see himbut I am more sure it's not him bc my friend has messed up hands so he texts talk t speach so it catches everything he says but he doesn't capitalize everything it should. The recent messages were all punctuation and correct spelling. Should have known . You can't trust anyone not even fb friends lol
We ran into some of these scams beautiful photos of houses for rent at a low price some asking us to send money and they will hold it for us. I suggest you meet with the person and view the property first. Also be careful if they ask for personal information.
A warning in a Kitchen cabinet?! Nah! Well she can let her bank know and the young might refund a portion of what she paid. Never do business with someone that you haven't met face to face.
Mine tries to be. He waited till the drive way wasn't usable and had big pot holes. So finally the he decided to have it black topped. It had been this way 5 years or more.
Its temping when you see beautiful photos online and the rent is low. Usually some explanation or story to go with it why the owner is willing to rent it out for cheap. Many times I think they just post pics that are fake. They want money and personal information upfront to hold it for you. Then make excuses say they are too busy to meet with you etc.
I love how there's no real answer to any of this by the end. There's no "at least the couple can do XYZ to get their money back", "For now they're having to stay at such and such while they find a real place", "Luckily, we have 'this system' that's set up to keep them from going completely homeless"... It's literally just "yea, they're fucked. No, there's no way for them to recover. We probably won't find the criminal. MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO YOU." Like...is that just it? The last thing she gets to say is "we're up the creek without a paddle"- she might not have the time for people to pour in housing solutions for her, and even if they do that only helps out this one couple that had a News Segment about them.
They got scammed by someone in Nigeria or India. Yes they are fucked. There is nothing that can be done. You just have to be aware of the scam and not fall for it
You can find property records online to see the owners name and try to contact them. Also try city hall records. Always meet the manager in person and view the property. If they ask for money to hold it for you that's a scam..if the rent is half what is usual in your area that's a,red flag.but this
Naive!!! $1,000 for a house??? Really where @ ? The market is a nightmare but $1,000 for a house come on if it’s to good to be true it is especially in these times.
The problem is that people who a desperate fall for these things because they want to believe it's true. These type of scams been on the radar for many many years, it's hard to feel empathy because it's not a small issue but many have been having these issues the information is everywhere not something you can say, they got me. Renting anything from Facebook, Craigslist, etc without doing due diligence is being irresponsible.
@@ladyofmars5161 You're quite welcome! Now hopefully all of you will STFU complaining about things we've that been warned about for years. If you think that you are exempt then learn your lesson and figure it out.
@@kingtut1735 "I was warned- how come YOU weren't!?" Naw bro, I think it's probably you who should STFU. Last thing people going homeless need to hear is how it's their fault for being scammed and then forcibly evicted without warning.
That was A inside job that guy works for the owner of the house trust me this is how good they are not only did he Fool the renters he fool the news station that air this
