Summer is approaching, and with that comes the yearly scramble for housing. As more and more hopefuls search for an affordable and spacious option, they leave themselves vulnerable to scams. Last year, 7,800 apartment rental complaints were filed with the Better Business Bureau.
“When you’re searching for a suitable living space, whether it’s on Craigslist or any other apartment listing service, being able to recognize the signs of a scam can provide you a smoother apartment search, and potentially save you from theft,” said Michael Sedio, VP of operations at the BBB. Scam spotting tips
If you are thinking about moving, the BBB, which serves San Diego, Orange, and Imperial counties, has some guidelines on how to avoid getting cheated this season. The BBB has identified four main signs that the unit you are looking at is a front for a scam or identity theft. The first and most common of the red flags is “Money First;” if you are asked to send money without seeing the property or meeting with a landlord, back away. Do not send money to someone you have never met. Another telltale sign of scamming is “No Background Check.” A landlord, or a person posing as a landlord, who seems too eager to close a rental agreement without first checking credit scores, employment, income, or running a background check is likely scamming you. The next red flag is “No Lease”: do not accept an apartment without first receiving a written lease from the landlord. Moreover, watch out for any fees as you go along the leasing process; be especially careful if you are charged before seeing a lease agreement. Lastly is “Out of Town.” If either you or the landlord is out of town, do not sign a lease agreement until you have met them in person and visited the apartment. Looking for housing advice
Besides these tips on how to identify scams, the BBB also has some general tips for any apartment hunter. When searching, consult friends, family, and colleagues for leads on places to rent. When you do find a place, bring a friend along to inspect with and for a second opinion. Open up cabinets and closets to look for pests. Check reception in all corners of the unit. If you have a vehicle, ask if there is guaranteed parking, and if not, scope out the parking situation at various times of the day. If possible, visit the building during a rainy day to see if there is any leaking or flooding. A BBB accredited business guarantees trust, reliability and responsiveness. If you have questions about the legitimacy of a rental service, visit their business review on bbb.org. If you fall victim to an apartment rental scam, notify law enforcement immediately, and file a complaint with the BBB, bbb.org/sdoc, and the Federal Trade Commission, ftc.gov. For additional questions or concerns, call BBB’s 24-hour customer helpline at 858-496-2131. BEEN SCAMMED? Notify law enforcement immediately, and file a complaint with the BBB, bbb.org/sdoc, and the Federal Trade Commission, ftc.gov. For additional questions or concerns, call BBB’s 24-hour customer helpline at 858-496-2131.
