Floridians are being victimized by scammers who falsely list lots or homes online at low prices to make some quick cash.
Even people who aren’t renting, buying or selling can be victimized if a scammer fraudulently lists their property for sale, tangling them up in litigation to prove their land or home truly belongs to them.
While Florida is the third most populous state, it is the second most defrauded state behind only California, according to the FBI. Data shows there has been a steady increase in real estate or rental scam losses reported by victims over the last three years.
Buyer beware:Scammers falsely listing Florida real estate without owners’ permission
Florida real estate agents say that although they have a number of safeguards in place to ensure listings are real and verifiable, “scammers are getting smarter.”
How to avoid land or rental scams
Rent and land scams are rampant in parts of the country with hot housing or rental markets, according to the FBI. Data shows that places like Florida and Texas, which have grown significantly in population over the past couple of years, are seeing an increase in fraudulent and predatory listings.
Frequently, people moving from another area will be less familiar with pricing or availability, and find themselves tangled up in a scam and without a place to live.
“We have seen a significant increase in the amount of money being lost by people who are desperate for a good deal. Scammers are cashing in on renters who…
