How to Stay Safe on Craigslist Ft Myers

Craigslist is an established online platform tailored to different cities, towns and regions throughout America. It's free and instantly accessible - making it a prime target for those seeking to buy or sell something.

In Fort Myers, Florida, there are a variety of scams being perpetrated via the site. Here are five of the most prevalent ones.

1. Property Scams

Many in the Fort Myers area rely on Craigslist to locate homes or apartments to rent. While these can be beneficial tools for finding a place to live, it's essential to be wary of scams that attempt to take advantage of both the site and your personal information.

Scammers create false ad listings on Craigslist and other classified websites in an effort to trick people into sending money or providing personal information. In some cases, they even steal property from legitimate real estate companies and resell it for profit.

Scams involving rental property are on the rise and can affect anyone looking to lease an apartment or house. A study by McCoy and his colleagues revealed that these criminals often share several characteristics, such as using other people's e-mail addresses in order to appear as landlords or real estate agents, using a broker's real name in order to make their emails seem more legitimate, and embedding links in order to manipulate victims into sending payment.

Another type of scam involves cloned rental listings. These fraudulent advertisements copy existing for sale properties and resell them at deeply discounted rent prices, often posted by individuals outside the United States.

Some common scams involve asking for money upfront to verify a property, providing your social security number or other personal information before showing the home, and telling you they're on a mission trip overseas and cannot meet with you. Furthermore, some of these schemes request that you send either the first month's rent or deposit through Western Union, Moneygram, or prepaid money cards.

Property scams are a serious issue for homeowners and renters alike, but most can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions. Most importantly, always inspect a property before paying any deposit or renting it out.

2. Hurricane Scam

Florida officials are on the lookout for those attempting to take advantage of hurricane damage, as many victims seek assistance from outside their communities. This has resulted in numerous scams that take advantage of vulnerable individuals.

According to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, the best way to avoid becoming a victim online is being cautious with what you do. A Google search can be an excellent tool for determining whether an organization you're considering donating to is legitimate or not.

It's essential to be aware that many of these unscrupulous websites will gladly take advantage of you with little effort and a dash of luck. In fact, Florida has been named one of the most dangerous states for online scams by the Better Business Bureau. There are plenty of tips on how to spot a scammer from the start; reading up on scams will help keep your eyes open for those willing to take your money regardless of their excuses.

3. Rental Scam

One of the most prevalent online rental scams is a fake rental or hijacked Craigslist ad. These ads are designed to deceive people into sending money or providing personal information.

A scammer often creates a Craigslist ad that appears to have been posted by the landlord or property manager, complete with photos of the real home. Furthermore, these ads typically include fake phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Ads for rentals that appear too good to be true often contain inflated rent rates. This is usually an indication that the offer is fraudulent, and you should never sign any contracts or give money before visiting the home in person.

Another red flag should be raised if they require you to fill out an application or pay for credit checks or background checks before viewing a home. This practice is completely unacceptable and indicative of a rental scam.

Legitimate landlords or property management companies always conduct a background check prior to renting out their home, and they prefer doing this face-to-face. They'll want to know who you are, where you live, and why you are searching for a rental.

Finally, if they require you to send money before viewing a home, this should raise serious red flags. They are trying to take advantage of you and should never be allowed into your property.

Unfortunately, many people will become the victim of a rental scam. This is especially true in an economy where many are desperate to find affordable housing; however, you can take steps to prevent yourself from becoming involved in one.

4. Real Estate Scam

Real estate scams are unfortunately all too commonplace across America, particularly in high-risk areas. As housing markets reach record highs and more people look for affordable places to rent or purchase, scammers have an ideal opportunity to take advantage of you and take advantage of your money.

In some instances, criminals will alter an actual rental or real estate listing by changing its email address and then posting it on another site. In these cases, they may even use the name of the original poster in their ad.

Scammers who commit these crimes typically defraud potential tenants of security deposits, first month's rent and other fees they never receive. Furthermore, they often pose as licensed real estate professionals and claim to represent a home they do not own.

Hurricane Irma created an especially difficult situation for displaced families, who may be more vulnerable to criminal activity. One case in particular caught our attention this week: a pregnant Lehigh Acres woman who had been evacuated from her home by Hurricane Irma lost more than $2,000 in a Craigslist scam.

There are several ways to safeguard yourself against scams like this one. Start by conducting your due diligence by performing a reverse image search or conducting a quick Google search on the property in question.

Another way to detect a scam is by asking questions. You can inquire if the person is licensed, has ever worked in the industry and what their business ethics are. Additionally, request a copy of the lease agreement for confirmation.

Finally, always deal locally and face-to-face with anyone interested in renting your home. This is especially crucial when renting for vacation purposes.

5. Money Scam

Craigslist can be an excellent place to find great deals, but it also carries risks. There are numerous scams happening on the website and people are losing money across America. Fortunately, there are some proactive safety tips you can use to stay secure.

First and foremost, make sure the seller you're dealing with is located near you. If they ask for payment via wire transfer or from out of town, that's likely a red flag.

Another popular scam involves fake cashier's checks. These checks are often fraudulent, and will bounce if you send them money.

You may be able to avoid this scam by exercising caution when providing personal information and monitoring your spending. This is especially crucial if you plan on buying or selling a product on Craigslist.

These scams can be tricky to spot, but there are a few key indicators you should watch out for when browsing ads on Craigslist or other classified advertising websites.

1. They advertise a job that pays significantly more than expected (or claim to be from abroad). This is usually an attempt at scamming you out of your money and personal information.

2. They offer to pay you with a check or money order that is more than what was requested, then ask you to wire the excess back to them. This is often how scams work and it's wise to steer clear of such offers.