Rental scam concerns

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You hear that saying often, and if you're not careful a crook can use it to scam you out of your money and identity.

Recent Internet searches for apartments in the Toledo area may be cause for conern. After responding to some ads, the lister is requesting credit scores up front and are asking you to give your information using a specific site than looks questionable.

"You're taking a big chance dealing with a stranger over the Internet," said Dick Eppstein of the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

Eppstein said the net is crawling with crooks.

"How do you show a person a credit score?," he said. "You can tell them anything so, he's going to want to see your credit report that tells him where your credit cards are, that tells him where your mortgage may be, your bank accounts too."

That's why he says you have to be careful when someone asks you for personal information or even a deposit upfront.

One popular advertisement site, Craigslist, features hundreds of rental listings in metro Toledo. Eppstein does say watch out for what could be deceptive advertising.

"what we worry about is that they'll offer too good to be true prices, too good to be true offers, pets allowed, all utilities included, air conditioned -- all these things for a ridiculously low price," he said.

Eppstein says to avoid potential problems check other sources like realtors, apartment listing services, and even call the Better Business Bureau. Also watch out for offers that expire quickly because that's often something a crook would use.

"Before I give you any information I need to know where this apartment, is I need to go see it, I need to meet you," he said. "A lot of times they'll imply they're local but they're not."

Craigslist does have a few tips for users to help them avoid scams. Of course, not all posters are legit. So most importantly use common sense.