More Scam Artists Posing as Landlords
The glut of vacant foreclosed homes has inspired con artists to concoct a new scam: posing as landlords to swindle prospective tenants out of rent and deposit money.
Palm Coast, FL – April 13, 2010
Carolyn Said – San Francisco Chronicle staff writer
April 11, 2010 – The glut of vacant foreclosed homes has inspired con artists to concoct a new scam: posing as landlords to swindle prospective tenants out of rent and deposit money.
Cases of landlord impersonation have jumped throughout California in the past couple of years, according to sheriffs and legal aid clinics.
"With a lot of foreclosures, the property sits empty for a long period of time," said Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco. "What we’re finding is that scam artists will come in, change the locks and advertise on Craigslist at a very enticing price. They tell people, if you want to get this deal you need to come back soon with cash for the deposit. People give them the money, sign a lease, get keys and a couple of days later the legitimate owner (an agent for the bank) comes and says, ‘What are you doing here?’ Then they’re out whatever cash they’ve laid out."
Read more>>>> San Francisco Chronicle
Amazing
I have no idea why but when I read stuff like this I’m always surprised! I suppose at this point in my life the scams and cons that people can come up with shouldn’t be shocking.
Where would this great country be if all of these intelligent, yet ethically bankrupt conmen, would put their brains and creative ideas to good use?
And to think that a lot of these renters are probably newly foreclosed on and have saved their cash so that they can get their families lives started again. This is so sad for those who are victimized.
Cons
It is no different that are elected officials are doing to us now. For example, our governor holding teachers accountable for what parents should be doing and our elected officials voting themselves whatever they want without paying in. Conmen exist at every level. Its just the one sat the bottom get caught because they haven’t enough experience. Have we yet determined where our president comes from???