# Has anyone encountered this rental scam? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251 "2010-09-19T03:13:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/21 "2010-09-20T02:56:50Z")
So how does one go about avoiding this type of scam? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/22 "2010-09-20T19:07:37Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > So how does one go about avoiding this type of scam? Ask the landlord for ID and make a copy, then check the county property tax records to make sure they really own the property. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Evil_Prince_Zorte)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/23 "2010-09-20T19:16:12Z")
Sometimes you will never meet the landlord because they are using an agent or property management company. You can ask them who the landlord is, but the scammer can just tell you the name on the property tax records. If the scammer is representing themselves as an agent, it shouldn’t be hard to check up on that though. They should have a yellow pages listing, or other current property listings on Craig’s List, etc. If you never heard of such scams however, it wouldn’t ever occur to you to check up on the owner. Everything is oriented toward making sure the prospective tenant is trustworthy, not the other way around. In this case the tenants needed to move on very short notice and were having trouble finding a place available immediately. Of course that suited the scammer, they needed to move fast too. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/24 "2010-09-20T19:20:37Z")
> [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](#): > > I would go with the picked lockbox. That’s one less place to leave tracks. Renting a foreclosed house seems like an even better idea, but would require some investment in fixing it up, because none will be rent-ready. It would be easier to run the scam long enough to collect enough rent to cover the expense, especially if you manage to top it off with some theft. Why would a foreclosure _always_ require fix-up? In fact, the ones in the Seattle area were (are) highend, million + dollar homes. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Evil_Prince_Zorte)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/25 "2010-09-20T19:38:10Z")
When someone moves out of a house there is always wear and tear. Paint needs touch up, carpets cleaned, etc. When someone is moving out due to foreclosure, there isn’t any incentive to leave the place clean or even take out the trash or go to the trouble of moving every bit of miscellaneous clutter to the new place. You might be able to sell a property in “as is” condition, but you can’t find someone who will rent one. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/26 "2010-09-20T23:11:16Z")
> [@pendgwen](#): > > > [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > > > As far as stopping the check, I have never heard of a landlord accepting a check for the first months rent and security. Here, even if your credit score is 850, first month and security is cash or wire transfer only. Same thing for the brokers fee. Maybe in small towns they do it differently, but there is no way you are going to get an apartment around here using a check. > > Really? I’ve never heard of landlords requring cash or wire transfer. Every apartment I’ve rented, first in Seattle and now in NJ I paid 1st month rent and security with personal check. If they don’t trush me enough to accept a check for 1st months rent why are they going to trust me to pay the subsequent months rent by check. I also have _never_ heard of this. I have, in LA, given 1st month + deposit in a cashier’s check. Everywhere else, checks are just fine. The cashier’s check I mentioned was over $4k. Who walks around with 4k on their person? ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/27 "2010-09-20T23:36:44Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > So how does one go about avoiding this type of scam? Excellent question. I would insist the person meet me at the property - otherwise, no deal. I would also make sure they knew I was taking their photo (on the pretext of photographing the property). They can object to indoor pics I suppose, but not from outside - hey Google street view does it - so don’t tell me I can’t, and if you happen to be in a few of the shots, well, why should you give a shit? Then you can always let the state police (or locals, if they have the tech) run the pic against their databases. A piece of glossy paper is a good way to preserve fingerprints if you’re really worried. Tell them after they’ve touched it that if they’re scamming you that you now have their prints. Say it as a joke and see how well it goes over. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/28 "2010-09-21T00:46:13Z")
Your idea of finding out if a person is really the owner of the property is to…tell a joke saying you have their prints? Really? ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/29 "2010-09-21T01:17:53Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Your idea of finding out if a person is really the owner of the property is to…tell a joke saying you have their prints? > > Really? First, the fraudster would never show for a face to face meet. Second, if they did, joking about pursuing them for fraud when you have proof of their identity should elicit a profound and telling response - even in a complete sociopath. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/30 "2010-09-21T04:15:06Z")
Why wouldn’t the fraudster show up to show the apartment, if he had a key and a sucker that could rent it? What, you knowing what they look like is going to keep them from defrauding you? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/31 "2010-09-21T04:24:33Z")
A scam of this nature would require a fairly sophisticated con artist. I can’t image it is too widespread, but hey, its nice to see people putting out a little effort! _Your Mother and I are so proud of you!_ ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/32 "2010-09-21T04:25:45Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Why wouldn’t the fraudster show up to show the apartment, if he had a key and a sucker that could rent it? What, you knowing what they look like is going to keep them from defrauding you? The whole idea of crime, at least so have I always believed, is to get away with it. Fear of capture usually trumps desire for reward. I guess in your mind then lights don’t scare away burglars and you are as likely to be mugged in front of an occupied patrol car as anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/33 "2010-09-21T04:29:51Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > The whole idea of crime, at least so have I always believed, is to get away with it. Fear of capture usually trumps desire for reward. I guess in your mind then lights don’t scare away burglars and you are as likely to be mugged in front of an occupied patrol car as anywhere else. Maybe you could explain to me in a less snarky way how one would even rent the place without being there in person. Most people aren’t going to rent without ever seeing the landlord or rental agent. The “posing” is a big part of the whole scam, is it not? ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/34 "2010-09-21T04:43:39Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > The whole idea of crime, at least so have I always believed, is to get away with it. Fear of capture usually trumps desire for reward. I guess in your mind then lights don’t scare away burglars and you are as likely to be mugged in front of an occupied patrol car as anywhere else. > > Maybe you could explain to me in a less snarky way how one would even rent the place without being there in person. Most people aren’t going to rent without ever seeing the landlord or rental agent. The “posing” is a big part of the whole scam, is it not? From the OP i did not get the impression that anyone was ever on site to show the property so obviously the scam works. Also, in my first post in this thread I mentioned a similar scam which used convoluted but seemingly plausible excuses for the owner’s absence. I’m normally only snarky in response to others being snarky to me. If I misread the tone of your post, then I’ll offer my apology, however i don’t see how else I could have read something like “What, you knowing what they look like is going to keep them from defrauding you?” IOW ‘what kind of idiot thinks that fear of capture would be a deterrent?’ ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/35 "2010-09-21T05:17:02Z")
> [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](#): > > Someone had posed as a prospective tenant or agent and been given the lockbox code. They to **ok the key, duplicated it, and put their own ad in the paper advertising the rental. They showed it to the people, gave them a lease, took their deposit and first month rent** , then came back with their key Fri night and stole much of what had been moved in so far. Now the tenants are out the cash they had for moving, a bunch of their possessions, and can’t return to the place they are moving from. That to me says that they literally posed as the landlord/owner/rental agent, and went to the place to show it to the oblivious renters. Am I missing something? Besides, how many people would mail off cash, cashier’s check, or money order to an unseen party in this day and age of 419 scams? You’d definitely have to take the risk of actually being there and posing as the agent. Besides, without photos of you, would could they say? “It was a blond lady with shoulder-length hair and a nice cut to her pants?” ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/36 "2010-09-21T05:21:25Z")
Sorry–thought the OP was “Has anyone encountered this rectal exam?” ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/37 "2010-09-21T05:23:49Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > > [@The\_Evil\_Prince\_Zorte](#): > > > > Someone had posed as a prospective tenant or agent and been given the lockbox code. They to **ok the key, duplicated it, and put their own ad in the paper advertising the rental. They showed it to the people, gave them a lease, took their deposit and first month rent** , then came back with their key Fri night and stole much of what had been moved in so far. Now the tenants are out the cash they had for moving, a bunch of their possessions, and can’t return to the place they are moving from. > > That to me says that they literally posed as the landlord/owner/rental agent, and went to the place to show it to the oblivious renters. Am I missing something? Besides, how many people would mail off cash, cashier’s check, or money order to an unseen party in this day and age of 419 scams? You’d definitely have to take the risk of actually being there and posing as the agent. Besides, without photos of you, would could they say? “It was a blond lady with shoulder-length hair and a nice cut to her pants?” It would appear I missed that part. Is that you’re only response to my thesis? The mere fact you think it is impossible is irrelevant - is it not? I never would have believed anyone fell for the Nigerian scams, but they did - didn’t they? My SO almost fell for something similar though the perpetrators were obviously not as bold. Do you really believe that these hucksters wouldn’t have thought twice about scamming someone who had indisputable proof of their identity? I will admit the possibility but it is not in anyway probable. They would have to be so transient that they knew they would be out of the jurisdiction before anything could be done, and even then there would be no guarantees. Even most criminals aren’t THAT stupid, but I do admit that I consistently give people more credit than they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/38 "2010-09-21T05:29:57Z")
My scenario, which actually\* is \*what seemed to have happened, is a lot easier to imagine than some doofus trying to do it long-distance and waiting by the mailbox, which can be traced back to him, for his ill-gotten gains. Now _that_ would take an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/39 "2010-09-21T05:32:30Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > My scenario, which actually\* is \*what seemed to have happened, is a lot easier to imagine than some doofus trying to do it long-distance and waiting by the mailbox, which can be traced back to him, for his ill-gotten gains. Now _that_ would take an idiot. And yet that is precisely how many scams are executed. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251/40 "2010-09-21T05:35:05Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > And yet that is precisely how many scams are executed. Go figure. And yet it’s not how this scam happened. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-encountered-this-rental-scam/554251.md?page=3)