Monterey County District Attorney Warns Residents About Rental Property Scams

Monterey, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni alerts Monterey

County residents and visitors that an increase in scams have affected renters and properties for rent.

The scams vary in sophistication but share the same core fraud: the suspect will pose as the property

owner or leasing company, and then collect the usual first/last/deposit. The victim suffers the

double blow of losing a housing opportunity and losing thousands of dollars.

Often this scam involves the suspect posting a house for rent on social media or real estate rental

websites based on a legitimate listing posted previously. To make it seem more real, the suspect can

even send you an application, lease agreement, and request a processing fee for a credit check.

Scammers will often work off of legitimate listings, so take extra steps to protect yourself. For

example, when you visit the rental location, try to make contact with the current residents, see if the

landlord left a physical rental sign with a phone number to call, or look up the location yourself and

call the owner/leasing office to verify they have placed an apartment/house up for rent. The

majority of scammers are not local and will make excuses for why they cannot show you the

property in person. Be extra vigilant of deals that are “too good to be true.”

Perpetrators of these scams are likely subject to criminal prosecution for at least felony theft.

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office will be vigilant about investigating and

prosecuting these cases. Anyone who has been the victim of a real estate scam, or who has

information regarding a potential fraud, should file a complaint with the Monterey County District

Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit by completing the consumer complaint form located on the

Monterey County District Attorney’s website and emailing it to

consumercomplaints@co.monterey.ca.us, mailing it to the District Attorney’s Office at 1200

Aguajito Road, Suite 301, Monterey, CA 93940, or by calling the District Attorney’s Office at (831)

647-7770.

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