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Has anyone repsonded to a rental listing on Craigslist and believes it may be a scam? How can I verify?

How can I find out a rental on craigslist is not a scam? Where can I obtain this information online, for free?

Public Comments

1. Check the county tax assessor website for a valid owner name and address and contact them there.
2. ask to see property. if they cannot show it to you then it is scam.
3. There have been many reported scams where someone claims they own a property and rent it out and the new tenant goes to move in and the real owner is still there. The best way to check is to look under the public records on the property it will list the owner. You can call them directly.
4. Use common sense. Do not send anybody any money before having a tour of the apartment. If somebody is offering an apartment that would normally go for $2000/month for $500/month it is almost certainly a scam! If they "just moved overseas" and will send you the keys after you send them a deposit (with no tour) it is a scam!
5. Go to your County Office (instead of website) and check the record of that property including the name, address and phone number of the current owner. Also make sure the property is not on DEFAULT OR FORECLOSURE. You don't want to be asked to move out by the lender (bank or mortgage company). Sometimes a Management Company (hired by the owner of the house) is responsible for renting out a house when the owner lives in another state or the owner just don't want to do that work. Make sure the management company is legitimate. Look up in the phone book. You will want to go and visit their office. Also, you will find Apartment Managers listing their units for rent on Craigslist. Make sure the apartment they assign to you is the one you are moving into. I heard a lot of horror stories about they were were given a different unit that was yucky to the last minute. Make this a firm verbal communication with the leasing agent. Better yet make it in writing (write it yourself in any paper) and have the leasing agent sign and date it. Before you transfer your address to the new address, go to the post office and ask to have your mails on hold for a month. That you want to pick up your mail yourself - state your reason. They will be happy to hold your mails until you pick them up. Do not call the utility, phone, cable company to have your name on that address until you move in. Most apartment complex have the electricity on already. They just want you to transfer it to your name. When you are happy with the place go on and call the utilities open an account.