Landlord Profits by Landlord2Landlord  Information, Advice, News for Property Management 

 Sometimes trying to rent a home, or vacation cabin, can attract con artists. In these schemes, the scammer contacts the person who listed the property for rent and expresses interest. Often, the scammer will send a check for the full rental amount, plus security deposit. The scammer then has second thoughts but "allows" the property owner to keep the security deposit, asking only for the difference to be sent back. The first check is a phony, but the scammer counts on the victim not learning that until after sending a "refund."

Landlord2Landlord member, Richard R. from Charlotte, NC writes: "I think some one is trying to scam me. I got a call from a woman in the UK. She wanted one of my available listing. She sent a $7,000 check to hold the unit with the understanding I would refund some of the funds for her travel to Charlotte. I called the bank which is in Florida. The check was for a closed account."
We are getting reports like this from members accross the country. If member, Richard, had not
called the bank, the woman would have taken his "refund" and cashed the check never to be seen
again.
 A common variation of this scam is that instead of calling the landlord for funds to travel, the scammer
would have shown up unexpectedly on the landlord's steps wanting to sign a lease. Upon signing the
lease, the scammer would have then asked for a "refund" for expenses and cashed the check before
the landlord finds out the initial check was not good Thanks to member Richard R. for the alert.

If the person sends money without seeing the property or negotiating other parts of the deal, be cautious. As a precaution, don't deposit the check. As always, if the rent offer seems too quick and easy to be true, it probably is.

If any landlords are scammed or hear about other scams, please let us know. This is precisely why
Ladnlord2Landlord was created. We must look out for each other. Predators look at the rental community
as easy pickings.