Why pay 1/2 month Rental Fee?
How do the scammers make money? The prospective tenant offered to pay first, last and security for the apartment site-unseen. In addition, the person offered that his employer would send a certified check. When the check came it was much more than the requested amount so the "tenant" explained that the employer had accidentally included all the money for moving expenses in the check, The landlord deposited the "certified" check and sent the overpayment back to the tenant so the tenant had their moving expenses. The certified check was returned as Obviously, she never saw her new tenant again - or her money.

They often involve, "I'm a physician moving from Europe/Asia/Austrailia and my employer will send you a deposit check". When the check arrives, it is for much more than the agreed deposit. The "lessee" then contacts the landlord, stating that their employer accidentally included the "lessee's" travel expenses, etc in the deposit check - could the landlord kindly refund the overpayment? You know the rest.....the cashier's check isn't legit, and the landlord is out a wad of cash - and has no tenant. This is what happened to a landlord who listed her apartment with us!

This is particularly common in areas with a large renter pool, like near a university, or hospital - so watch out, Boston landlords!

It has come also come to our attention that some homes and even our own apartment rentals that are posted for sale or rent on Craigslist are being fraudulently re-posted as low-rate rental listings on Craigslist by unknown people. We watermark all our photos because of this scam. The photos, address and other details were all included in the scam rental post with an e-mail address directing people to an unknown party. The scam may be aimed at getting prospective renters to wire or send first and last months rent. In one case reported, an agent conducting an open house for sale was unexpectedly inundated with people who wanted to rent a two-bedroom house in Jamaica Plain for $600/month!

Landlords and tenants should be wary because rental scams are on the rise as criminals move in to take advantage of the active internet market place.

Many people never consider how easy it is to take advantage of someone looking for a property to rent. Few give it a second thought. Fewer still take the steps necessary to ensure the person they're renting to or from isn't a criminal until it's too late.



We offer a MENU of services so we are serving your specific needs.
We offer the following services: