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By Danielle Antosz
Bennecia Smith and her family were thrilled to move into a new home after an acquaintance connected them with a woman willing to rent them an entire house at an affordable price.
Since Smith’s mother started experiencing health issues two years ago, the family of eight has primarily lived in motels throughout Clayton County, Georgia.
However, nine days after moving into their new home, the Smith family realized they’d fallen victim to a rental scam.
“She [had] paperwork and everything. I had a whole lease. It felt like it was legit,” Smith told WSB-TV 2 Atlanta. “I was very excited because it was my first house with my two kids… [but] she took from my kids.”
The family had paid the woman $1,200, set up a monthly payment plan, and moved into the residence. Then, the police showed up and told the family they were trespassing.
“I was like, how was I trespassing? I was showing him the lease, and he’s like, that’s a fake lease,” Smith told the news outlet.
The family had to leave the property, abandoning some of Smith’s children’s belongings. Unable to recoup the money they’d paid, the family is now left trying to cobble together enough money to get a motel room every night. If they can’t get the funds, they have to sleep in their cars.
Advances in technology are making it easier than ever for fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting renters.
Here’s an example of how these scams can sometimes work: scammers find a vacant home listed for sale online, then pose as potential buyers and contact the selling agent to get the door code so they can view the property.
Once they have access, they list the property for rent. Because they have the door code, scammers can even offer potential renters access to the home.
Then, they create a fake lease, collect a deposit, and take off with the money. By the time the actual homeowners realize what is going on, there is no recourse for the renters.
“You have to be your own detective,” said WSB-TV 2 consumer advisor Clark Howard. “Because once it happens to you, there is no easy way out… once the money has left your hands… the money has made a one-way trip.”
Howard claims these types of scams first started popping up about 15 years ago. He suggests checking property records online to make sure you’re paying the rightful owner.
The current state of the housing market — from inflation to limited availability — has resulted in a surge of fraudulent activity.
The national competitiveness score stands at nearly 74 out of 100, with vacant units finding occupants within an average of 41 days, according to data from RentCafe.
Considering this climate, rental scams tend to work because they often appear legitimate — especially in a competitive market where renters are eager to find an affordable home. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from falling for one.
First, always insist on meeting the landlord or property manager in person, and never send any money — including application fees or deposits — before viewing the property. This will protect you from less sophisticated rental scams.
Before you sign a lease, search the address on real estate listing websites. Scammers often target vacant homes that are for sale, as it’s easier for them to gain access and steal photos. If the property you’re interested in is listed as for sale, it could be a red flag.
Next, check public property records to see who owns the residence. These are often available online through city or county websites.
If the name on the records doesn’t match the person you’ve been in contact with, ask to speak with the owner. If you do sign a lease, use a verified payment method, such as a check or ACH transfer. These methods may offer some recourse if the deal turns out to be a scam.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If the rental price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Scammers often offer rental properties at below-market rates to attract renters willing to overlook other red flags.
Original article: https://www.aol.com/finance/georgia-family-8-now-sleeping-122700215.html
