A Roanoke mother and her children are left without a home after falling victim to a fraudulent rental listing on Zillow, shedding light on the dangers of online rental scams.
Highlights
- Roanoke mother victimized by a rental scam, losing over $4,700.
- Scammers used Zillow to target victims, ceasing communication on the supposed move-in day.
- The Better Business Bureau stresses an uptick in such scams, offering essential prevention tips.
Kimberly Causey, a mother from Roanoke, shares a distressing experience of losing thousands of dollars to a rental scam she encountered on Zillow. With hopes of finding a new home for her family, Causey was misled by a scammer posing as a property owner, leading to a significant financial loss and leaving her without housing.
The Unfolding of the Scam
After touring what she believed was an available property, Causey transferred $4,700 through Zelle to secure the rental. However, upon her arrival to move in, she was confronted with the reality that the house was already occupied, and the individual she had been communicating with vanished, leaving her in a dire situation.
Insights from the Better Business Bureau
Julie Wheeler from the Better Business Bureau notes that Causey’s ordeal is not an isolated incident—such rental scams have become increasingly common, exploiting individuals and families searching for housing. Wheeler emphasizes the importance of verifying property details and ownership before making any financial commitments to avoid falling prey to similar scams.
In response to her experience, Causey has filed a police report and is working with an attorney to address the scam. Her story serves as a critical warning to others about the risks associated with online rental listings and the importance of vigilance in the face of rising rental scams.
This incident underscores the need for potential renters to conduct thorough research and verification, highlighting the crucial advice from the Better Business Bureau and law enforcement on safeguarding oneself against the growing threat of rental property scams.
