PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be vigilant against Craigslist rental scams.
On Wednesday, a sheriff’s deputy investigated a report of a couple wandering around a Diamond Point house and looking into windows.
The homeowner had listed the house for sale with a Realtor.
The sheriff’s office said someone took information from the Realtor’s listing and advertised the property as a rental on Craigslist, which prompted the couple to view the house.
A similar scam occurred two years ago in the Happy Valley area, said Lorraine Shore, sheriff’s office administrative coordinator.
“This common Craigslist rental scam is just another example of why it’s important to be vigilant,” according to a sheriff’s office news release.
“The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website (www.ftc.gov) has great information on avoiding being victimized by these scams.”
Scammers have been known to hijack real rental or real estate listings by changing the email address or other contact information and placing a modified advertisement on another site, the office said.
The altered ad may use the name of the person who posted the original ad.
Other scammers have hijacked email accounts of property owners on reputable vacation rental websites or made up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist and try to lure in victims with promises of low rent or great amenities, officials said.
“Their goal is to get your money before you find out,” the sheriff’s office said.
Here are some signs of possible scams as provided by the sheriff’s office:
■ They tell you to wire money.
■ They want a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease.
■ They say they’re out of the country and have a plan to get the keys into your hands.
Anyone who believes they have been the target of a rental scam is asked to report it to law enforcement and the FTC.
