USAgencies

These days you have to be cautious of possible scams around every corner and that includes when renting a home. With the rental industry being a booming business in the Coastal Empire and Low Country, prospective renters should be aware that scammers could be lurking about. In fact, an alleged Craigslist rental scam has recently come to light in Savannah. Luckily, the same can’t be said for rental insurance.

Apparently, News 3’s Martin Stauton came across the alleged scam while doing a personal search for a rental home. The home at the center of the investigation is a three-bedroom, two-bath home in Daffin Heights in Savannah. While a rental sign on the property advertised its vacancy, another sign in the window from the rental agent warned that the home was targeted by a scammer on Craigslist.

The agent is Effingham County Realtor Kathy Brantley with Heritage Properties and she should know when something doesn’t ring right. She has handled the Savannah property for decades and she posted the sign.  Brantley’s neighbor, Bloomingdale florist, Sandy Lincoln, is the legal owner of the property.

Red flags went up when Brantley began receiving call after call about her ad on Craigslist, an ad she never placed, because she never advertises on that internet site.

It was instantly clear to Brantley that the ad, complete with pictures, was a virtual carbon-copy of her legitimate ad on her company’s website, except for a few changes. The most glaring change in the fake ad that caught her eye was the lowered rent, stating utilities were included, for $800 a month, which Brantley says was merely bait to sweeten the scammer’s deal.

The veteran property agent took immediate action by posting signs in the window at the house, as well as web warnings on her company website. She went on to explain how an individual, calling himself Nikalas Foreman, claimed to be putting the property up for rent, adding that it would be available for two or three years, while he was away “on tour” in Alabama as part of a business project. The way the money was supposed to change hands was that interested parties would send Foreman the deposit and he would send them the key.

News 3 called the number provided by Foreman, who actually returned the call, offended his ad was referred to as a scam. But, there was no mistake about it as tax records back Brantley.  Her neighbor does, in fact, own the house. Furthermore, the name Nikalas Foreman does not appear anywhere in the official records regarding property ownership.  Bloomingdale florist Sandy Lincoln is the rightful owner and has been paying taxes on the property for years.

Although, this seems to be a new scam, property owners need to be aware and take notice that it may be the next property scam to prey on unsuspecting people just looking to rent property. If you feel you’ve been victimized by this or any other scam, you should contact the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the scam took place.

And, if you’re looking to protect your prized belongings, you need the right coverage. Finding the best Alabama renters insurance is actually quite easy. Start by making sure you’re getting the lowest renters insurance rate available. Why not get a free renters insurance quote today?

Do you know someone who was taken by a rental scammer or any other scam? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.