The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a rise in rental property and real estate scams affecting the local community. Scammers are targeting potential renters and homebuyers by using stolen property photos and false identities, according to information shared by Matt Chalanick of The Real Estate Agency in Auburn.
One common scam involves criminals taking photos from legitimate property listings and posting them on rental websites. The scammers claim they can only communicate via email, often citing reasons like being deaf or too busy to answer the phone. They instruct potential renters to view the property from the outside, but not to enter. If the renter is interested, they are asked to send a deposit, sometimes even signing a lease. By the time the victim realizes the property wasn’t available, their check has already been cashed.
Chalanick also described a recent incident where a scammer posed as the owner of a Cayuga County property using a deceptive email address. The individual requested a market analysis and listing agreement, but after further investigation, Chalanick realized they did not own the property and were attempting to set up a scam.
The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to exercise caution when renting or buying property. Be sure to verify who you are dealing with before sending any payments. For more information, follow the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for updates.
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