Denver Real Estate Agent Exposes Rising Rental Scams, Urges Vigilance
Denver real estate agent Katrina Nguyen is warning residents about the increasing prevalence of rental scams in the area. With scammers using real photos of her listings and even impersonating her, Nguyen has seen a surge in fraudulent rental listings targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Nguyen shares her concern, stating, I’ve been getting a lot of calls on different listings and people are trying to figure out if it’s a legit rental or not, and a lot of times it’s not. She goes on to mention that scammers have been posting fake rental listings on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Last month, Nguyen received a report from a victim who had fallen victim to a scammer pretending to be her. Disturbed by the fact that someone was using her identity to scam others, Nguyen confirmed that the listings were indeed fraudulent. Unfortunately, the victim had already lost a substantial sum of $2,500 to the scammer.
To help residents avoid falling victim to rental scams, Nguyen urges everyone to be vigilant and know how to spot the warning signs. According to ApartmentGuide, Colorado has one of the highest rates of rental scams per capita. Nguyen advises potential renters to be wary of listings that offer unusually low prices in desirable neighborhoods. Another red flag is when a listing claims there are no background or credit checks required. Additionally, if a scammer requests money before the renter has even seen the property, it is likely a scam.
Nguyen demonstrates her keen eye for spotting fraudulent rental listings when she identifies a suspicious posting on Craigslist. The listing showcases a house in Wash Park with a rent price of $1,342, accompanied by professional-looking stolen photos. However, a quick Google search reveals that the property is actually for sale on Zillow for a hefty $1.3 million. Nguyen swiftly contacts the agent responsible for the genuine listing, who confirms that the rental listing is indeed a scam. Both parties agree to report the fraudulent posting.
The moral of the story, as emphasized by Nguyen, is that if a rental listing appears too good to be true, it probably is. She encourages individuals to conduct their due diligence by performing a Google search on the property to verify its authenticity. Checking ownership records on the county assessor’s website can also provide valuable information. In case of encountering a scam, Nguyen advises victims to report it to the police and urges everyone to exercise caution before sending any money to unknown entities. Additionally, consulting a real estate agent can provide further guidance and assistance.
As residents continue to face the ongoing threat of rental scams, it is crucial to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures to protect oneself from falling victim to these deceitful practices. By raising awareness about this issue and arming individuals with the knowledge to identify scams, real estate agent Katrina Nguyen hopes to safeguard the Denver community from financial loss and distress.
