Renting Scams

There are everywhere. Craigslist is a popular hot spot thought there are others out there. 

I had someone use one of the apartments in my complex as a part of their scam. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable position to be in. There are some obvious warning signs
1.bad or choppy english
2. owner out of country
3. no one able to let you check it out
4.no questions about your background
5. price sounds too good to be true

6. The ask you to western union the money

1. Let me say as a landlord I'm going to write any emails as professionally as possible, because it is a business transaction. You want to sound like your taking this seriously and know what your doing. 

2.Owner out of country should be a big warning sign. Most landlords who are too far away to manage their property hire property managers for a reason. Generally for things like showing the apartment, taking care of issues and maintaining the property.

3. Either way you should always be able to view the place before you rent it. Even if it isn't this kind of scam there is always a risk renting before you see the place. 4. Another thing to look out for is lack of interest in things like criminal record, credit and other background information. Any decent landlord is going to be looking for this, shoot many applications now ask you to sign off to allow tenant screening. I've been usingwww.tenantverification.com for years to do mine. Only someone who doesn't care what happens to the property would bother to look into your background. Definitely should set off warning bells.
5. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

6. If you send that money be prepared to never see it again. There are far safer ways to pay.