Police warn of Craigslist rental scam

Medford, Ore. — Medford police are warning of a new rental scam. MPD says a craigslist ad was posted for a property on Ridgepine Way, which is currently for sale. The post used pictures from the original “for sale” ad, and marketed it as a rental. The scammers used an elaborate story as to why they couldn’t show the property, and asked people to wire the money in order to get the keys. Lieutenant Mike Budreau of the Medford Police Department says in a rental market that is so limited, it’s easy for someone to become a victim.

“These ads are often a nice residence, at a great price and it almost seems to good to be true, and unfortunately it is,” Lt. Budreau says.

He says they’ve received 10 reports of this scam, but thankfully no one wired any money. He warns people to be cautious of internet ads that don’t involve face to face interaction, and says it’s unlikely the suspects in this case will get caught as many scammers are out of the area and maybe even out of the country.

 

 

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