INDIANAPOLIS — If the rental property you see listed on social media looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies are warning about a new scam on Facebook Marketplace that lists rental properties at well below market value to get you to part with your hard-earned cash.
For example, the scammers will find a legitimate ad with a property renting for $3,000 per month and then re-list the property at a much lower cost.
The goal of the scam is to get you to pay the security deposit online and agree to rent the apartment without signing a lease or moving in, according to the Better Business Bureau.
The scammers will usually ask you to wire the money and promise to mail you the key after they’ve received your payment — but no key ever arrives. They will also make excuses as to why they can’t meet you or show you the property in person, said the BBB.
Johnson County deputies say you should confirm who owns the property before giving out any personal information or making a payment. You should contact the owner directly before signing any kind of contract and arrange to see the property in person.
(Photo by Andrey Popov/Thinkstock.)
