If you find that a listing is being used in an online rental scam (often via Craigslist), here are some steps you can take:
- Notify your seller and broker so they’re aware.
- File a police report in the city where the property is located.
- You can also file a complaint with the FBI.
- Copy all the information you can from the post, and then then notify Craigslist about the fraudulent listing. Click on “I encountered a fraudulent posting or a scam on craigslist” for details.
One additional tip from a REALTOR®: “With your seller’s permission, and maybe in a discreet location, post something on the property indicating that the home is not being offered as a rental online, only for sale via the agent, and that potential renters should contact the listing agent immediately.”
So what can you do to avoid these kinds of scams? Here are some tips from NAR:
Read more about Craigslist scams on their website: craigslist.org/about/scams.
