Online Rental Property Scam Hits San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Police Department has been made aware of an online scam regarding rental properties here in San Angelo.

It was learned that unknown person(s) are using photographs of rental properties, that are already listed online for sale/rent, and using them to create their own false rental posts.

It was learned that these false posts are drawing in potential renters by showing the rent to be significantly lower than what the original post has the property listed for.

Officers were made aware that the point of contact on the false posts requests a deposit (assorted amounts) to be delivered electronically to them with the agreement that the keys to the property would be mailed to the victim. After a couple of days, the victim wouldn't receive the keys and would soon find out they were a victim of this rental property scam.

Here are some ways to tell if a property listing is a potential scam:

• The Point of Contact doesn't want to meet in person.
• They want you to move in immediately without you ever seeing the property.
• They ask for Rent/Security deposit without signing a lease.
• The Rent/Price of the property is to good to be true.
• The listing/post is full of grammar/punctuation errors.
• There is no tenant screening process. (no background/reference check)
• They want you to sign an incomplete lease that doesn't have the necessary information on it.

If there is any doubt regarding a post, please contact our Desk Duty officer at 325-481-2696 during regular business hours or our non-emergency dispatch at 325-657-4315 after hours to speak with an officer.