Police warn people of landlord scams

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) -Richmond Police are warning people of landlord scams and how alleged scammers are able to pull this off.

The scam was brought to the Richmond Police Department’s attention a couple of weeks ago.

“We had a local landlord reach out who was a little concerned, because they had gone to check on rental property and found that someone’s belongings were inside, unbeknownst to them,” said Makenzie Davis with RPD.

While it may not be a new type of scam, police still want to warn the public about potential landlord scams. This goes not only for those looking for a place to rent, but also those who own a rental property.

“What happens is a landlord may post a rental through Facebook, craigslist or another listing site,” said Davis. “A scammer will find that information, they’ll pretend to be an interested tenant. Once that scammer gets that code to a rental place, like a lockbox, they’re able to go in and view. The way landlords let anybody do. They’ll take this code, keep it and then that scammer will repost it as their own listing.”

Heather Clary with the Better Business Bureau says they have seen this kind of scam before. Especially with landlords who don’t live in the same area as their rental properties.

For anyone who is looking to rent and is not sure if they are being scammed, Clary says to look out for these red flags.

“If the price sounds too good to be true,” says Clary. “Also the lack of in person communication. That’s a standard with most scams out there. Whoever is running it does not want to meet with you in person, they rarely want to speak with you by phone. They’ll often just text or email.”

Clary also warns about someone wanting you to pay through a wire transfer or through an app. She encourages landlords to always follow up with someone who has looked at your property.

She says you can report a rental scam and on the Better Business Bureau website.