STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. —  The Staten Island Board of Realtors wishes to share the following warning with members of our Island  community:

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF ONLINE RENTAL HOAX

By Della D. Csehoski

Association Executive,

Cambria Somerset Association of REALTORS®

Renters beware: Recently there has been a rash of rental scams on Craig’s List.

Thinking of renting? First, make sure the offer is legit.

 

This is how it works:

A property that is listed with a licensed real estate agent and posted online is scraped by a Craig’s List poster.

Usually these properties are posted at well below what they would actually rent for.

When you contact the lister through Craig’s List, they give you the property address and tell you to go look at it. They then want you to send or wire them money for a security deposit and first month’s rent.

They promise to send the key.

If you question why it has a real estate sign on it they will tell you that it hasn’t sold and they have decided to rent it. They like to deal with you strictly through email.

To avoid this scam here are some things you can do:

  • Never send money to someone. Make sure you meet them personally.
  • If a property has a real estate sign on it contact the office/agent on the sign to see if it really for rent.
  • Do not rent a place that you have not entered and seen inside. Owners are not going to send you to a property without them.
  • Ask the person to meet you or send someone to meet you at the property with a key.
  • Do not trespass on someone’s property. If there is a sign on the property contact the office/agent on the sign.

If you suspect the listing is a scam, report it to Craig’s List. They have the following disclaimer: “Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any arrangement involving Western Union, Money gram, wire transfer, or a landlord/owner who is out of the country or cannot meet you in person.”

These scams are no longer easy to recognize online. The scammers have changed the way they post the listings to avoid being caught. They also now post and then quickly remove the post to avoid detection. Use caution to avoid losing your money and ending up without a rental.

About The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR)

The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR) is the largest not-for-profit trade association in Staten Island, N.Y.

SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically; and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

Comprised of over 1,600 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Inc. (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale. Together, its members participate in over 3,000 real estate transactions every year.

All SIBOR members belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

SIBOR may be reached at 718-928-3220 and viewed online at http://siborrealtors.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Living,” on Twitter via @SIBOR, and on YouTube at the Staten Island Board of Realtors and RelevantPR channels.

Media Inquiries:

Relevant Public Relations, LLC

Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509

Mobile: 917‑715‑8761

Email: [email protected]