Local
Last month, the local FBI office said it has seen a significant increase in the amount of money being lost to scammers.
Get ready to see U-Haul trucks clogging side streets and discarded furniture on sidewalks — moving season is fast approaching for residents of Boston and the surrounding areas. Numerous aspects of the moving process can be stressful, especially in a city where many leases terminate on the same day. But in the rush of finding a new place, residents should not let their guard down when it comes to scams.
Last month, the FBI’s Boston Division warned the public after observing a spike in rental and real estate scams. Law enforcement officials have seen a “significant increase” in the amount of money being lost by people looking for a good deal, according to Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
“Scammers are cashing in on renters who need to act quickly for fear of missing out, and it’s costing consumers thousands of dollars, and in some cases, leaving them stranded,” he said in July. “We are asking everyone to exercise caution, especially over the next few months, as folks look to book last minute summer getaways.”
But what does a typical rental scam look like, and how…
