Know how to safely search for a rental home. Here are signs that you may be dealing with a scam.

1. 5 SIGNS OF RENTAL SCAMS

2. The first warning sign is if the "landlord" only communicates via
email or text. In cases like this there is usually no telephone or
in-person communication.

3. If the rental price is too good to be true, it usually is. It is an
automatic red flag if the property is going for $700/month an
d the average rental price in the area is $1600/month.

4. Most rental scammers do not have access to the properties
that they are advertising because they are not the actual
owners. They will always give some sort of excuse why they
cannot show you the home "just yet" and will try to stall or "
send" you the keys.

5. Excuses…
The most common tell-tale sign is that
the property owner is out of the country
(usually a mission trip) and can’t
arrange to meet you.
Beware not to fill out an application in
this case, doing so can give them
access to your important personal
information that can be used for
identity theft.

6. ASKING FOR MONEY UPFRONT
If the so-called property owner
asks for payment upfront in the for
m of a cashier's check or money o
rder it is usually a SCAM! Beware
of anyone asking you for money
via email or text Especially for a
home that you have never seen in
person.
This is a sure way that a rental
scammer can take your hard
earned money and run.