A Morongo Basin woman is out more than $600 after falling victim to a popular home rental scam. According to Sheriff’s reports, the woman contacted an unknown renter on Facebook regarding a house for rent. The woman sent the scammer $660 via mobile money transfer to secure the rental. She arrived at the home in the 6500 block of Indian Cove Road IN Twentynine Palms to sign the paperwork and pick up the keys, but the renter never showed up and could not be contacted. Reporter Cassidy Taylor has tips on how to spot a home rental scam…
Those in the market for a home rental should be very cautious when searching online listings. Always request to speak to the renter in person or via facetime. Ask to see the property in person and never make any payments before signing your lease. Beware of prices that seems too good to be true and listings that have no screening process for applicants. Lastly, never make any payments through wire transfer or through the mail. If you see any of these red flags in an online rental listing, cease all communication and report the listing to the listing website and the Federal Trade Commission, see the link below.
