New Rental Scam Targeting Ulster County Residents Through Social Media
Rental Scam Makes Its Way Across Ulster County
The Ulster County Police Department has issued a warning of a scam currently making the rounds in the area.
It's a rental scam, where the scammers will use a fake online listing to gain attention and trust from unsuspecting victims. The Ulster County Police Department explains further writing in a statement "Fake online listings are being used to steal application fees, deposits, and rent payments."
Ulster PD stresses:
"DO NOT SEND MONEY BEFORE SEEING AND VERIFYING THE PROPERTY."
While you may think this is an easy scam to identify, scammers are becoming more creative and making their way to social media.
Ulster County Rental Scam: The Breakdown
So how does this scam work exactly?
The scammer will copy a real home or apartment listing and then repost it at a "cheaper price and promoted on social media, directing interested people to the scammer's website."
When victims arrive to the website, the scammer ask then to select a property they're interested in and then ask for the victims to pay an application fee.
After the victim fills out the application and pays the fee they are told that their application was accepted. This is where things get tricky.
The Ulster County Police Department writes
The scammer then demands rent, a security deposit, or other fees. Once enough money has been collected, the scammer claims the property is yours but refuses an in-person showing. When you arrive, you discover that the rental was a scam.
Keeping Yourself Safe From Ulster County Rental Scam
Personally, I've seen this pop up on social media in TikTok videos or Instagram Reels.
The videos are extremely appealing. However, when I saw the price I knew something was fishy.
But if you're in desperate need of housing, I can see how someone could react immediately.
The Ulster County Police Department is hoping to keep the community safe from these scams by offering a list of "red flags" to look out for. Those Red Flags include:
The price is much lower than similar homes.
You cannot tour the property in person.
You are pressured to act or pay immediately.
Payment is requested by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment app.
The contact or payment information does not match the verified owner or agent.
Additionally, Ulster County PD says you should always verify the real estate agent before sending any money over and never send personal information over until the agent is verified.
Learn more about the scam and keeping yourself safe below: