Saturday, April 28, 2012

Rent Scams Promoted On Craigslist Continue To Reel In Unwitting, Would-Be Renters

In Jacksonville, Florida, Action News reports:
  • People do it every day. But this time when a couple found a Westside home on Craigslist for rent, appearances were deceiving. According to the police report, the couple met the so-called landlord at a public place. He gave them keys. They signed a lease agreement agreeing to buy a refrigerator, pay $1,000 a month for rent, and another $800 for a security deposit. They had no idea the house they were renting for the last couple of weeks was actually in foreclosure.

  • "It's very frustrating because law enforcement doesn't want to have to intervene in cases like that, but when they cross a line and it becomes criminal, then we will intervene,” said State Attorney Angela Corey.

  • The homeowner notified police when she realized people were living in her foreclosed home. [...] So far no arrests have been made. This case is still under investigation.