LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Spring is the season many people start looking for a new place to live. If that involves a rental, there are warning signs to look for in scams.
Scammers are all over Facebook Marketplace with different kinds of ads. One man stumbled upon a one-bedroom for $650 a month, which he thought was perfect for him.
He told the landlord he would have the deposit and first month's rent, which he responded that he was out of town and asked him to pay electronically.
He sent $1,500, and that was the last he heard from the landlord.
"I should have known better." The ad was a fake.
This is happening more and more these days because the scams keep getting more sophisticated. Scammers find a home for sale and copy all the photos, then pretend to be potential buyers and get the front door code from the real estate agent.
The FTC says be suspicious of rental listings if:
- The landlord wants a deposit before you have met.
- You can't go inside the home.
- They ask for a deposit via Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards.
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