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* The scammers may contact you out of the blue. They may claim to be the owner of the property you are renting, or they may say that they are acting on behalf of the owner.
* They may ask you to pay your rent in advance. This is a common tactic used by scammers. They may say that they need the money to cover repairs or other expenses.
* They may ask you to pay your rent in a way that is not normal. For example, they may ask you to pay them via wire transfer or Western Union.
* They may pressure you to pay them quickly. They may say that you need to pay them immediately or you will be evicted.
If you are suspicious of a potential rental scam, here are a few things you can do:
* Contact the landlord or property manager directly. Ask them to confirm that they are the owner of the property and that you are not being scammed.
* Do not pay your rent in advance. Wait until you have seen the property and signed a lease before you pay any money.
* Do not pay your rent in a way that is not normal. If you are asked to pay via wire transfer or Western Union, be wary.
* Trust your instincts. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, it probably isn't.
If you believe that you have been scammed, you should contact the police. You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov.