Cops Seek Suspect Accused Of Pocketing Upfront Rent Deposits From Unwitting Would-Be Tenants For Vacant Homes In Foreclosure

In Porterville, California, KGPE-TV Channel 47 reports:

• Kerri Dunning is out of a thousand dollars and the house she thought she was moving her family into. "Gave him a thousand dollars, he gave us the keys," said Dunning.



• She was excited about moving in to her new home, but delight turned to bitter disappointment when Dunning went to check on the house and the keys didn't work. "We were going to make it a home for a while and my daughter was like this is great, this is great," said Dunning.



• Porterville Police are looking for 39-year-old Scott Crowder. Police know of one other victim who paid Crowder $3,000 to rent the same home and also got fake keys. Now they believe there may be more victims.



• "He is posing as a homeowner/property manager and accepting cash to rent a home that is in foreclosure," said Sgt. Rick Carrillo with the Porterville Police Department. Police believe the home used to belong to Crowder's family and that's how he gains access, even though the bank is about to take possession.



• Terry Fox, owner of Fox Property Management says sadly this is becoming a growing problem. "It's a combination of things with the internet it's somewhat easier to scam people, and the economy is down so people are looking for easy ways to make a buck," said Fox.



• In both cases the victims found the house along with pictures on Craigslist, the same internet site Fox Property Management uses to post listings. Fox says it's important to always make sure the property manager is legit by checking references, business cards and never pay with cash.



• "I would like to know where he is just so he doesn't scam anyone else, that's the basic thing," said Dunning. If you believe you're a victim call Porterville Police at 559-782-7400.

Source: House Rental Scam; May Be More Victims.