{"id":40477,"date":"2018-04-24T13:38:01","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T13:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/24\/craigslist-rental-scams-date-back-at-least-a-decade-and-troops-can-be-targets\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:15:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:15:02","slug":"craigslist-rental-scams-date-back-at-least-a-decade-and-troops-can-be-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/home-hq\/2018\/04\/24\/craigslist-rental-scams-date-back-at-least-a-decade-and-troops-can-be-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"Craigslist rental scams date back at least a decade … and troops can be targets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cCraigslist Scams Targeting Renters Desperate for Affordable Apartments,\u201d says the New York Daily News headline. From 2008<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issues with listing reliability aren\u2019t new to Craigslist or similar online services, and the on-the-move nature of service members and their families can make them easy targets<\/a>. Multiple states have issued warnings over the years to alert renters to this nefarious practice<\/a>, but with military moving season<\/a> (and the need for short-term housing) about to pick up, it\u2019s likely the scammers<\/a> will be back with listings near major military installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These scams take advantage of renters<\/a> who are too trusting, or too busy to do their homework. Here are five quick checks you can perform on any listing that will help root out scams before you and your money go your separate ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You sure that\u2019s OK? <\/b>Many fake ads go out of their way to cater to folks who, for whatever reason, may not qualify for legitimate rentals. If the ad says the landlord has no issue with a partial security deposit, or doesn\u2019t perform a credit check, or doesn\u2019t need proof of income or employment, chances are it\u2019s not just a building owner being charitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\t