Woman forks out $10,000 to rent condo listed on ‘all the sites’ – then she asked ‘parking’ question & realized the truth
A woman was defrauded of $10,000 after sending money for what she thought was the ideal condo.
A valid-looking rental application for a condo in Crystal Sands in Saratoga, Florida, which was set to go up for rent between August and December, deceived Nancy Kimmes, a real estate agent herself.
Kimmes wanted to move from California to Crystal Sands.
She knew this was the place to begin a new chapter in her life because she had been in a condo in the same Crystal Sands building before.
Kimmes said of the condo rental advertisement, “We were so excited because it was right here in Crystal Sands, and we loved it, and this is where we wanted to be,” according to NBC station WFLA-TV.
“I discovered it on Truilia, Zillow, and Redfin. It was present on every website.
Read more in The U.S. Sun
Kimmes claimed to have contacted the purported owner after responding to the listing in May.
She completed the application in a hurry and recalled that the documents seemed authentic.
Kimmes also looked up the owner’s background, but she found nothing alarming.
To secure the condo, she promptly transfers $10,000.
However, Kimmes claimed that when she considered asking a follow-up inquiry, alarming noises started to ring in her mind.
“I then asked the fraudster, I asked him what parking space will I get,” Kimmes said to WFLA-TV.
Woman gets letter saying her home has been sold over property taxes – but she has proof she never missed a bill
He also offered me two parking spots. Since I was staying here and you only got one parking spot, I realized it wasn’t right.
She contacted the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and her bank right once to halt the payment.
She told the outlet that she had been given the runaround over a convoluted procedure to get the money, and that the cash were still frozen in the criminal’s bank account.
But with the assistance of WFLA-TV, Kimmes was able to get her money back six months after the incident.
Kimmes thinks her tale will raise awareness that a rental agreement may not be as legitimate as it seems.
Tips on spotting property scams
The Bellamy Law Firm has given these five strategies for preventing real estate frauds.
False Owners:
- This is where properties are listed for sale by scammers who do not own them.
- They may ask for a deposit to “hold” the property until you can view it to lure in prospective buyers.
- Be wary of people who ask for money upfront and before signing any documents ensure you ask to see the tax records and deeds.
False Real Estate Experts:
- Scammers pretending to be real estate agents.
- Prospective buyers can check the Board of Realtors website for the individual and their real estate license to confirm their story.
Offers in Cash:
- Warning phrases for this are: “We pay cash for homes” and “We buy ugly houses.”
- This often sees people sell their homes for much less than the going market value and those who are hard-up are often victims.
Lending to Predators:
- Some mortgage lenders may urge borrowers to repeatedly refinance their mortgages when it is not needed so they can get more cash on hand.
- It is also important to be suspicious of lenders who come to you before you have requested help.
Companies that use bait-and-switch tactics:
- This is where the moving company gives you an estimate for your belongings and then increases the cost when they arrive which pressurizes customers to accept the new offer.
- Another version of this is when movers pick up your belongings but hold them hostage and refuse to deliver them until more money has been paid.
- People moving homes should ask for a license number from the moving company and check for complaints with official companies like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- It is also worth shopping around by getting multiple quotes and holding off on paying until the move has been completed.
The Bellamy Law Firm, the source
VINTAGE CAR SCAM
In the meantime, a California man who attempted to buy a classic 1934 Ford Cabriolet online for an astounding $25,000 was duped out of a similar scam.
Dale Frye said he wired $25,000 for the hot rod because the seller from West Hartford, Connecticut, seemed genuine.
“He sent me a video of the car, and he sent numerous still photos of the car,” Frye said in October when speaking to the CBS affiliate WFSB.
“It’s a very professional website.”
Read More on The US Sun
But weeks went by, and the car never showed up at his house.
Dale traveled to Connecticut to inspect the seller’s purported place of business, but it turned out to be an empty storage facility.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!