Splendora Police Department Thwarts House Rental Scammer

Splendora Police Department Thwarts House Rental ScammerFOLLOW UP!!! SCAMMING THE SCAMMER After a lengthy and in-depth investigation, it was found that the alleged victim, who was living in the home that they rented via Facebook, turned out to be the suspect that did the scamming. With the initial investigation posing as the "victim" who was scammed via Facebook, it was learned that was not the case.Through our investigation, we learned the suspect had been arrested on prior incidents here in Montgomery County. The suspect would pose as a Real-Estate Agent and show new homes as rental properties. The suspect would present false documents (leasing agreements) to the victims, collect the down payment, deposit, and monthly payments from these victims. After countless hours, our agency has been able to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect for their crimes.Here is a few helpful tips to help prevent you from being a victim in this crime:
Phantom Rentals
Other rip-off artists make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist, and try to lure you in with the promise of low rent, or great amenities. Their goal is to get your money before you find out.Signs of a Scam
Being savvy when you’re in search of a rental is well worth the effort. Here are some signs you may be dealing with a scam:•They tell you to wire money
This is the surest sign of a scam. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, first month’s rent, or vacation rental fee. That’s true even if they send you a contract first. Wiring money is the same as sending cash — once you send it, you have no way to get it back.
•They want a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease
It’s never a good idea to send money to someone you’ve never met in person for an apartment you haven’t seen. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it’s for rent, and that it is what was advertised. In addition to setting up a meeting, do a search on the owner and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam.
•They say they’re out of the country
But they have a plan to get the keys into your hands. It might involve a lawyer or an “agent” working on their behalf. Some scammers even create fake keys. Don’t send money to them overseas. If you can’t meet in person, see the apartment, or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking. What if the rental itself is overseas? Paying with a credit card or through a reputable vacation rental website with its own payment system are your safest bets.