New Online Home Rental Scam Making the Rounds, According to Las Vegas Realtor
LAS VEGAS, NV – According to reports, a new online home rental scam is making the rounds, and a Las Vegas realtor is warning people interested in becoming a tenant in the near future to be especially wary of deals that seem too good to be true.. because they most likely are..
Realtor Robert Hau notes that the individuals perpetrating this new scam are taking the hard-earned money of people that have been lured in with promises of a cheap home rental, and the especially devious part? The scammers don’t even own the home in question.
Hau relayed an instance where crooks listed one of his own Las Vegas-based rental properties on Facebook – even using his listing photos – at an absolute steal of a price – a three bedroom, 1,300 square-foot home for $900 per month. For this kind of a deal, who wouldn’t jump, considering how in-demand housing is in Vegas currently, especially when it’s this cheap?
What made the home in question a target was because it was in escrow at the time; since it was vacant, it was easier to use as scam bait, Hau said. This way a con-man can have a prospective renter meet him at the property, and get the victim to give them money in the form of a deposit, an application fee, or anything they can soak them for.
The Nevada State Apartment Association offers several tips for renters looking to avoid getting scammed, such using safer sites for house-hunting such as Zillow or Apartments.com. It’s also advisable to visit the Clark County assessor’s website to confirm the identity of the property owner so you know if something funny is happening or if someone else meets you at the house.
And finally, never use cash for any fees or deposits – always use a cashier’s check, money order, or credit card.
Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.