As rents, home prices, and inflation continue to rise in the real estate market, the Boston FBI is warning the public about the risk of renting, and the need to be cautious in sending and responding to rental properties and homes online. .
“We’ve seen an increase in funding for people who want to succeed. Fraudsters raise rent for tenants who need to hurry up for fear of missing out, and this results in the loss of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, leaves them stranded, ”said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Representative. at the Boston FBI. . “We urge everyone to exercise caution, especially in the next few months, as the public seeks to register last summer.”
Rental fraud occurs when the victim advertises a rental item and is approached by an interested person. Once the rental price is approved, the fraudster sends a check for deposit on the rental property to the victim. The check is for mortgage payment and, either it is written in excess of the required amount, with the fraudster demanding a refund, or the check is written correctly, but the fraudster withdraws from the lease. and demanded restitution. Since most banks do not hold the money, the victim has access to them immediately and believes that the check has been cleared. Finally, the check is a forgery, and the bank is responsible for the loss.
Another type of scam involves property that is advertised online. The scammer copies articles from legitimate websites and republishes these ads, after modifying them. Often, fraudsters use the real name of the broker to create fake emails, which gives the fraudster more copyright. When the victim sends an email through an advertising agency website asking about the house, they get a response from someone claiming to be the owner. “Owners” claim they cannot display assets without payment because they are not in the city or outside the country. If the victim is interested in renting a house, they are asked to send money and soon after the assets do not exist.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which provides access to information on cybercrime, there has been an increase in reported losses from victims of housing fraud. in the last three years.
Across the country, by 2021, 11,578 people reported losing $ 350,328,166 as a result of such scams which increased by 64% compared to the previous year. Here in the Boston Department, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, 415 victims reported a loss of $ 13,424,269 in a 27% loss.
The actual loss was greater because many people hesitated to report that they had been cheated. In the FBI’s Department of Corrections, several incidents have been reported in the past few months including:
An Idaho man is on his way back to Rhode Island and has responded to Craigslist’s one-year rental advertisement in Narragansett, RI. After receiving a $ 21,756 increase from his employer, he sent the money to the “owner” and set a time to get into the house. Before the meeting was approved, the man received a cancellation message because the “owner” was in Chicago caring for his sick son. The man went to the house and greeted the real owner and told him it was not a rented house and he did not publish online advertisements.
An Eastern man, RI, responding to an online advertisement for a house in Cambridge, MA, is required to rent first and last month, with a security deposit. The man was told he would not be given the keys and allowed to enter the house until $ 6,000 was cleared by the bank. As soon as it happened, he promised to collect the keys to the room but no one answered the door. After calling and texting the alleged owner, the victim received a text message saying “this phone has been scammed, do not rewrite this phone.”
A Rhode Island University student responds to an online ad on Facebook Market for a home in Wakefield, Rhode Island. The student phoned $ 1,800 to confirm the location after being told he would not be allowed to see the house before entering because the landlord was always on the move. When he arrived to enter, the address given to him belonged to the rental office and he was told there were no units.
If you find yourself being targeted or the victim of a rent fraud, stop all contact immediately, and if you have already sent money, it is very important that you report any money transfers to your financial center. and file a lawsuit with the FBI’s Internet Crime Center at ic3.gov.
What is a rogue landlord?
“The term‘ fraud ’is widely understood in the licensing industry to characterize a landlord who deliberately violates their obligations by offering unsafe and unsafe rentals to tenants, many of whom are can be weak. To see also : 4 Hi-Tech Cybercriminals With Chinese Links Arrested: Delhi Police.
How do you deal with homeowners? 7 Ways to Deal with a Difficult Owner
- Review Your Rent Before You Sign Up. You want to make sure you follow the terms of your lease. …
- Check Local Rules. …
- Save Records. …
- Pay your rent. …
- Maintain Dignity Communication. …
- Seek Safe Solutions. …
- Request Editing in Text. …
- What are your thoughts?
What did Marx say about landlords?
Homeowners, like other people, want to harvest where they have not sown, and seek to hire even more for the benefit of the crop.
How do I report a rogue landlord UK?
Appeal to the ‘elected’ (your MP, councilor or tenants’ committee) if you cannot resolve the issue with your landlord. On the same subject : Cost of living: How can I save money on my grocery shopping?. Contact your council or council if you and your landlord are still unable to resolve the issue.
How do I make sure my renter is legit?
Talk to your neighbors about the property and ask who owns it, and ask a lot of questions about your rental history. If you are dealing with a property manager or agent (who does not live in the property), check them out on the CalBRE website (www. Read also : Real estate transfers | News | duboiscountyherald.com.bre.ca.gov) to see if they are licensed.
Can you cheat by renting a home? A list of fraudulent assets usually means stealing money from interested tenants. They will try to pay you a deposit or income without seeing the apartment or rent, and they will save the money without any intention of renting it to you.
How do you make sure you don’t get scammed on a rental?
Before you sign a lease, look for signs in the lease with the name of the landlord or manager. Call this company before making a deal with anyone. Never pay by cash, phone transfer or gift cards. If someone asks you to pay in this way, it is probably a sign of fraud.
What happens if I get scammed?
If you have been cheated, consider reporting the fraud to the police to see if they can take action, as well as your state’s consumer protection office. You can also report fraud to the FTC. Report online with the FTC, or by phone at (877) 382-4357.
What can you do if you are defrauded? Report fraud to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC is receiving complaints about numerous scams, including the following: Phone calls. Email.
Will my bank refund me if I get scammed?
If you pay by bank transfer or Direct Deal Contact your bank immediately to let them know what happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should refund you if you send money to someone due to fraud.
