JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the real estate market the way it is, it’s no surprise that scammers are trying to take advantage of buyers and renters who are just looking for a place to live. And sometimes from unsuspecting property owners.
RELATED: I-TEAM: Don’t be the next victim of a rental rip-off
But there are red flags you can look for when searching popular real estate websites to help you avoid becoming a victim.
When you see different prices: If the cost is lower than the same property listed on other websites, be careful.
Send money: Don’t send money to a stranger through peer-to-peer apps.
Check for real property owner: You can check on the county property appraisers website to find the real owner of a property. All you do is type in the address to see who the real owner is. Below you will find direct links, by county.
News4JAX wants to hear from you if you’ve experienced rental or home buying fraud — either as a property owner or someone looking to rent/buy.
Use the form below to share your story with us.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.
About the Author:
Brie Isom
Brie Isom joined the News4JAX team in January 2021 after spending three years covering news in South Bend, Indiana.