Sheriff's Office Warns of Uptick in Rental Scams

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an increase in rental scams targeting people looking for affordable housing.

Sheriff Chip Simmons said scammers are listing properties for rent that don't belong to them, collecting deposits from unsuspecting victims.

"I think they're preying on these certainly young adults that are looking for a place to live," Simmons said. "And if they see something really cheap, they try to jump on it in a hurry before someone else beats them to it. And unfortunately, we've been seeing some of these scams."

Simmons said there are several red flags that indicate a potential scam: pressure to act quickly, unusually low rent prices, requests for payment through bitcoin or debit cards, no in-person meetings, and no lease or paperwork.

"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is," Simmons said.

Anyone suspicious about a rental listing can verify ownership through the Escambia County Property Appraiser's website or call the sheriff's office directly.

"You can call us and ask us to check it out if you're suspicious of something," Simmons said. "Or you can check the property appraiser's office. That's a quick and easy way. They have pretty good access and you can do some checking on your own."

The sheriff's office has posted a full list of warning signs on its social media pages.