Hello, Tampa Bay property owners and prospective renters. Jeremy Kloter here. We’ve talked before about the importance of finding the right tenant and the value of professional property management, but today I want to address a serious and frustrating issue that we see far too often in our industry: rental scams.
In a competitive market like ours, it’s easy to get excited when you see a listing that seems perfect. The price is low, the location is great, and the pictures look beautiful. But as the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. At Out Fast Property Management, we believe in full transparency and protecting our community, which is why we need to talk about what to look for and how to protect yourself.
What Exactly Is a Rental Scam?
At its core, a rental scam is a form of fraud where a person or group poses as a legitimate landlord, property manager, or homeowner to trick someone into giving them money. They don’t have the legal right to rent the property, and once they get your money—whether it’s an application fee, a security deposit, or first month’s rent—they disappear. The victim is left with a lighter wallet, no place to live, and a frustrating lesson learned. Scammers are adept at taking advantage of high-demand markets and people’s eagerness to secure a home.
The Warning Signs: How to Spot a Scam
Scammers are not just random opportunists; they often follow a playbook. Knowing their tactics is your best defense. Here are some of the most common red flags we see:
*The Offer is “Too Good to Be True”: This is the number one sign. If a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in a prime Tampa neighborhood is listed for a price far below the market rate, it’s a major red flag. Legitimate landlords and property managers price their rentals according to the current market. Drastically underpriced listings are designed to lure you in and create a sense of urgency.
*Urgency and Pressure: Scammers want you to act fast before you have time to think, research, or verify. They might say, “There are ten other people interested,” or “The property will be gone by tomorrow,” to pressure you into sending money immediately. They will often insist on a wire transfer or another non-traceable payment method.
* Impersonation and Vagueness: A major red flag is when someone claims to be a professional but can’t provide a company website, a physical office address, or even a professional-looking lease. They often use generic names and refuse to meet in person, making it difficult to verify their identity.
A Cautionary Tale
At Out Fast Property Management, we deal with scams that often involve our own properties being advertised without our permission. We recently had a heartbreaking call from a woman who had been scammed. A person claiming to be a manager for a different, fake property management company had shown her a listing for one of our houses.
The scammer gave her a counterfeit lease and asked for money in advance to secure the property. He never showed up for a scheduled meeting to hand over the keys and, of course, never provided a legitimate key or access to the home. The victim soon realized she had been scammed, and in her research, she found our authentic business and website, and reached out to us for help. We felt terrible for her, but we also got to work, providing her with the information she needed to file a police report.
—
How to Protect Yourself: Advice from a Professional
Protecting yourself from rental fraud isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Verify, Verify, Verify: Before you send any money, always verify the identity of the person you’re dealing with. A legitimate property management company will have a professional website, a physical office address, a business phone number, and online reviews. Go a step further and look up the property’s address on the county property appraiser’s website to see who the real owner is.
2. Never Wire Money or Use Non-Traceable Apps: Scammers prefer wire transfers, Zelle, Cash App, or other instant payment methods because they are untraceable and irreversible. Legitimate companies will accept traceable payments like checks, cashier’s checks, or secure online portals.
3. Always Insist on a Tour: Never, under any circumstances, agree to rent a property you have not physically seen the inside of. A professional will be happy to schedule a showing and provide you with a lockbox code or keys to enter the property.
4. Look for the Name: If you see a listing and it doesn’t clearly state the name of the management company or landlord, be cautious. Professional companies want you to know who they are.
Your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Don’t let a scammer take advantage of you. At Out Fast Property Management, we are committed to providing a transparent, safe, and professional experience for all our clients and tenants. If you ever have a question about a property, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. Your safety is our business.
