Facebook buy and sell scams continue to circulate, which have now expanded to false ads on purchasing homes or rental properties, reports Monmouth Police Department Investigator Josh Kramer:
“Whether it be dogs, birds, it has even got to the point of homes, rentals. They will put out a rental that usually they will show up if you are researching somewhere not close to you and the ads will pop up and they will want you to confirm some information, say they have a lot of people that want these, you need to put down a deposit, usually a deposit is $500, I’ve seen up to $3,000. Then come to find out that nice apartment that was on the Facebook ad is not even an ad for Monmouth or anywhere around here.”
When it comes to renting a vacation property, Investigator Kramer advises going directly to the airbnb or VRBO websites and searching your destination for a rental.