Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/1287008
How to avoid fake listings So how do you win? The best thing you can do is not contact the scammer in the first place, but it's not always easy to spot a scam listing just by looking at it. To help weed things out, turn to the all- powerful internet search. 1. First, if you can get the address, search for it. If the address pops up "for sale," that doesn't necessarily mean it's a scam; many owners will try to rent and sell a property at the same time. But you should be cautious if you want to proceed. 2. If you see that that the property is listed with either a property manager or a sales agent give them a call to see if they know anything. That is often the best route. 3. No address? Try searching for the images. Most browsers give you this option. In Chrome, for example, right-click on the image, scroll to "Search Google for image," and you'll see a list of search results that also used the picture. Seeing it on multiple sites? Open up a few, and see if the ad is the same or if rent prices and contact info vary widely. Protect your bank account At some point, a con artist is going to want money (and your personal/sensitive info. such as social security number, bank info., etc) from you—that's the point, right? In most cases, the fraudster will ask you to wire money after he's "unable" to meet you. He might tell you he'll mail you the keys, or he'll meet you the day you're supposed to move in. But that he needs the deposit money upfront—"It's a tight rental market, after all." Whether he's hoping to play into your empathy or your fear of not finding another rental as good as this one, the goal is to get your money either wired, in cash, or through a money order before you sign any legal documents. Why? There really is not much you can do then. Once you wire the money, it is essentially gone. And that's easy to avoid: Don't do it. Don't give money to anyone you haven't met. And don't give them any money until you've seen in the rental. In the state of WA it is illegal to take any money until the tenant has signed off on the move-in condition report anyway. Even then, don't agree to pay anything in advance of signing the lease unless you can get a receipt or other legally binding document that proves you paid. And if you want to be really safe, insist on paying by check. At least you can cancel a personal check. Although anyone can fall victim to a scammer, the trick is to just be aware and cautious and don't be pulled in. If it is too good to be true—it probably is. If it is too good to be true — it probably is.