Some basic tips to prevent rental scams on Cape Cod
I have read so many articles and blogs on how to prevent scams out there from ruining your rental experience and possibly your entire stay on assignment. I have dedicated myself to prevent this from happening here on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for you. I started off with vacation property scam prevention but as an employee of Cape Cod Hospital I quickly realized that our amazing travel employees were having the same problem so I decided I would take action.
Tip #1 - NEVER DEAL IN CASH
The reason why it’s so desirable for scammers to deal with cash is the fact that this money simply cannot be traced. Any “landlord” who aims to scam you will usually insist on paying cash and will simply move on to the next applicant if you refuse
Tip #2 - Do Your Research
The best thing about the Internet is that it never forgets a thing, and there are websites, chats, and Facebook groups where people give their feedback on anyone and anything. So prior to renting an apartment from someone, make sure you do your homework and run basic research on the internet — you can start by googling the landlord’s name, email, property address, etc.
Tip #3 - Beware of the Middleman Scam
The middleman scam is one of the most common schemes out there, especially on websites like Craigslist and other platforms with classifieds.
Basically, it goes like this: you come across this perfect ad for a stunning place, and the price looks very reasonable. You call there, and this person tells you that they are the one who handles or manages this property for the owners.
Usually, the apartment is real, but they don’t actually have access to it. Instead, scammers find this place on the other real estate platform, take the pictures and description, and place all this info into the Craigslist ad. They insist on collecting upfront the first month’s rent, security deposit, and any other payments that might seem reasonable and then simply disappear with your money.
Tip #4 -Here’s a Tricky One - Never Rent Without Taking a Look at the Actual Place!
While it is absolutely ideal to take a drive by a property or set up a showing it is very difficult for travelers to be able to do this. If you are traveling to an area that is unfamiliar to you, how are you supposed to make this happen? THIS IS WHAT I DO FOR YOU!
Tip #5 - Verify the Owner of the Property.
I see that furnished finder has a free property owner verification which is a fabulous resource – I want to offer you even more! Not just a database owner verification but I will physically go to the property for you. Meet the landlord, photograph the rental, make sure appliances are in working order. I will zoom, facetime or video the entire process so you can REALLY see what your rental is like.