MAIZE, Kan. (KSNW) — The Maize Police Department (MPD) is urging those looking to rent to use caution to ensure they’re not getting scammed.
Recently, the MPD took a report of a property listing on a real estate website that turned out to be a scam and not a property for rent. Police warn renters to be extra cautious when looking for properties over the internet.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says rental scammers often hijack a real rental or real estate listing, including the photos. They then change the email address or other contact information and place their scam ad on another website.
It may even use the name of the person who posted the original ad. In some cases, the scammers have hijacked the email account of property owners on reputable vacation rental websites.
In other cases, they may create a listing for a place that doesn’t exist but offer low rent and good amenities to try to fool you.
One of the surest signs of a scam is they ask you to wire money. Wiring money is the same as cash, and once it is sent, you won’t be able to get it back. If they ask you to wire money for a security deposit, application fee, first month’s rent, or vacation rental fee, it’s a scam, even if they have sent you a contract in advance.
Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, especially for an apartment or home you have never seen. If you can’t visit an…
