🚨⚠️🚫SBSO WARNS OF RENTAL SCAMS
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann would like to remind residents of scams involving rental properties.
The Sheriff’s Office is observing an increase in people being scammed out of money by someone posing as the property owner or listing agent for a residential property for rent located in St. Bernard Parish.
During several investigations, Sheriff Pohlmann said, detectives have observed a rental property pictured on social media as available for rent in St. Bernard Parish, yet the same property is also displayed for rent at multiple locations nationwide.
During the scam, the entire process to acquire the rental property is accomplished on-line, including the application and payment.
In some cases, the scammer even provides the door lock box code/pin so that the potential renter has access to the door key and can view the apartment. The scammer usually uses a spoofed email, phone number, and social media account during the application process.
Unsuspecting renters provide the scammer an application with all of their personal identifying information, including their Social Security number. They are even given a very real-looking contract via email.
The scammer requires the deposit and first month’s rent be wired via outlets like PayPal, CashApp, Venmo, Apple Pay, gift card, Western Union or MoneyGram.
It is not until after the victim moves in or when they attempt to move in that they encounter the true owner or present renter of the property and realize they’ve been scammed.
Sheriff Pohlmann wants residents to be aware of these types of crimes and to remain vigilant when dealing with anyone online.
“These types of crimes are difficult to solve, but with recent advances in digital/cyber forensics, the law enforcement community is gaining success in solving these crimes,” the Sheriff said.
While it has become very common to send money and conduct business by using cash app type platforms, the Sheriff warns residents to be wary of someone who asks for a ‘wired’ payment for something like a rental property.
“When renting an apartment from someone you do not personally or professionally know, under no circumstances should you pay someone with gift cards or wire money to them,” he said, “and when possible, ask to meet at the business in which they claim to work for, and call ahead to verify they are an employee with the company.”
If you have been a victim of this type of scam or anything similar, you are asked to call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 to make a report.
🚨Here are some tips to help you avoid rental scams:🚨
➡️Do some research. Search the listing online, as well as the associated phone number and email address. If you find another listing for the same property in a different city, you’ve spotted a scam. Reverse image searches can be helpful, too, as can searching the alleged landlord’s name along with the word “scam.” These searches only take a few minutes and are well worth the effort. Also, read reviews or comments under postings.
➡️Be wary of lower-than-usual prices. If the rent for an apartment is well below the going market rate, consider it a red flag. Scammers love to draw people in with claims that sound too good to be true.
➡️Always ask to see the property in person. Many rental scams involve listings for properties that don’t exist. Something is fishy if the renter refuses to let you know where the apartment is before you complete a credit check or pay them a deposit. Be wary, too, if you are given the address of a home with a for sale sign in the yard. You might not be in contact with the actual owners.
➡️Verify the property owner’s information. Contact a licensed real estate agent to see who owns a property or check the county property appraiser’s website. Ask the landlord for a copy of their ID to verify they are who they claim to be before you offer up sensitive personal information like your social security number for a credit check. If the landlord refuses or gets upset, you could be dealing with a scammer.
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