San Diego Resident Has Run-in With Fraudulent Landlord, Raising Alarms About Rental Scams

Rental scams are targeting unsuspecting victims looking for places to stay, as evidenced by Alexandria Moya’s loss in a seaside deal gone wrong.

Key Takeaways

Alexandria Moya lost $2,500 to a fraudulent landlord in a rental scam.
Fraudsters entice renters with unusually low prices compared to local market averages.
The FBI reported $350 million lost to rental scams in 2021; scams have risen significantly since.
It’s important to verify property ownership and management before making any payments.
You can use payment methods with transaction records, like credit cards, to stay protected.

A Costly Lesson for San Diego Renters

San Diego resident Alexandria Moya fell victim to a sophisticated rental scam. Lured by the promise of a quaint Ocean Beach apartment listed at just $1,300, reduced further to $1,000, Moya ultimately paid $2,500. The average rental cost for such apartments is around $2,500, a fact Moya discovered too late. Her payment, split between cash and Zelle, was non-refundable, and the apartment proved inaccessible.

“I got fooled. And it’s easy to get fooled,” she said when speaking of the ordeal to Fox 5 News San Diego. With rental scams accounting for $350 million in losses in 2021, the FBI warns consumers to remain vigilant. A 64.1% increase in scams was reported in 2023, according to the Better Business Bureau, driven by fake listings and pressing demands for immediate payments.

Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney, noted that many of these types of incidents go unreported. “These are really under reported. People often get scammed, and they’re embarrassed and they move on and they don’t report it. It’s really important to report it,” she said.

Red Flags and Precautions

Scammers frequently copy legitimate listings, request untraceable payments, and refuse in-person meetings. Common warning signs include low rent, urgent demands for personal details or money, and obscure property details. Renters should authenticate property ownership via public records and confirm property management credentials. It is vital to utilize trusted rental platforms and assess the listing against authentic local rent prices.

Conduct thorough research of rental markets to identify suspiciously low listings which could indicate scams. It can help to opt for payment methods with transaction records such as credit cards. These provide safeguard mechanisms in disputes. Often, scammers insist on methods like wire transfers due to their untraceable nature.

Verify, Document, and Report

Verifying listing legitimacy by checking multiple sites and authenticating contact information can help prevent one from falling victim to scams. Confirming the identity of the listing contact through business cards or licenses further aids this process. When possible, visit the property personally or appoint a trusted person to inspect it.

Notifications of scams should be reported to local authorities and platforms like Zillow. Although scams predate the internet, the tactics of urgency and unbelievable offers continue to lure victims. Moya’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the need for caution and verification in today’s rental market.