WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — No doubt you've heard the phrase "buyer beware." Law enforcement officials are now adding the phrase "renters beware."
A rental listing scam is sweeping the area and it comes at a time when there is a shortage of good rental properties.
"There's no supply of rentals out there. There's a shortage of people are looking for good houses and it's not available," said Tom Leighton C.A. Leighton Realty Company.
Realtor Tom Leighton says scammers are taking advantage of people who may be desperate to find adequate rental properties, so they are posing as property owners using photos or listing information from legitimate realtors and saying it's for rent.
All would-be renters have to do is send them cash sometimes thousands of dollars to hold the property and maybe even have them sign a bogus rental agreement.
"We're hearing about this almost everyday basis. tenants are knocking on homes on doors we're selling that are not for rent and they want to rent it," stated Leighton.
Leighton advises would-be renters.
"I would highly advise tenants to definitely do their research," added Leighton.
Tony Ross is the first assistant District Attorney of Luzerne County he echoes Leighton's warning.
"We would caution people and encourage people to do their due diligence and to do their research to make sure some investigation into the company that they are renting from and look into their background," explained Ross.
The Federal Trade Commission has a checklist for would-be renters which includes searching online for the rental's address, looking up the rental company's website, paying by credit card, and not paying for a property you have never seen.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has tips online to help you avoid being caught by these scams. For more information, you can visit their website.
