Cops Say Squatter, Craigslist Housing Rental Scam Calls Continue On The Rise

In Charlotte, North Carolina, WJZY-TV Channel 46 reports:

• CMPD tells FOX 46 they receive up to five calls a week about possible squatter cases.
  
  The department says they’re working to tackle this widespread issue all over Mecklenburg county. Our crews tagged along with police as they showed us one neighborhood that's dealing with the problem.
  
  Officer Bill Haynes says the small community on Murry Hill Place has had a squatter case recently. People moved into a foreclosed home without lawfully owning the property or legally renting it from the owner.
  
  “What we're finding out is that people in these abandoned houses are locating them, drilling out the locks and then posting it on Craigslist for a really good deal,” he said.
  
  From bogus rental agreements to breaking into houses, Detective Andrew Phillips with the Financial Crimes Unit says in the last two years, they’ve seen a rise in the number of people moving in illegally to foreclosed homes.
  
  According to police, some people claim they're unaware that they squatted. They say they were scammed by fake rental agreements.
  
  "Provided all kinds of false documentation because of everything they're told about it is a complete lie. Then the owner can charge for breaking and entering and trespassing,” Phillips said.
  
  Detective Phillips says sometimes squatters are scammed by fake craigslist ads. But in most cases, people squatting are intentionally trespassing.

For more, see CMPD tackles squatting problem in Charlotte.