Scammers Target Texas Renters With Fake Listings
(KNUE-FM) We know scams are hitting Texas all the time. It’s important to stay vigilant so you don’t become the next victim. But there is one scam that is taking thousands from Texans leaving many of them in a very desperate situation.
Texas law enforcement officers want to remind everyone that if they see something online and it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and that includes rental properties.
Rental Scams Are Rising in Texas
Whether it’s college students looking for a place to live that is near campus or it’s just a family moving to reduce rent costs, there are lots of people moving around the Lone Star State. But before you start packing all your things, let’s make sure you don’t fall for one of the rental scams that is sweeping across Texas.
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Red Flags Every Renter Should Watch For
There are some tips that you should follow to make sure you don’t end up being scammed.
- Make sure you visit the property before handing over any money, if someone is demanding money for a rental application fee, it’s probably best to walk away from that property.
- Verify the property owner through county records, while this might seem a bit challenging, the internet has made this a pretty simple process.
- Never send money through Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, or any other online banking service to a rental property unless you confirm it’s legitimate.
- Don’t fall for the “act-fast” pressure that some people can put on you.
- If a property seems too good to be true, it probably is. It might be best to walk away.
Just be very careful and remember there are people trying to scam you, especially around rental properties.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins