Warning From the BBB on Rental Scams

We all know Bozeman is experiencing a housing crunch - to the point you can almost forget about finding a rental home or apartment in town. And now, the Northwest Better Business Bureau wants you to know rental scams are masking the rounds.

Rental home scammers typically prey on victims who do not live in the area, in hopes of taking their cash before they realize the home is not available.

To report a scam, visit BBB Scam Tracker.

To avoid falling for these scams he Northwest Better Business Bureau offers the following tips when hunting for a rental property:

Ask for a walk-through. If you are renting locally, ask to see the property in person. If you don’t live in the city, reach out to someone you trust who does and ask them to visit the place for you. If the property owner gives excuses for being unable to show the property, it’s most likely a scam.

Research the location. Search the listing online to see if it is being advertised elsewhere. Oftentimes scammers steal pictures and try to pass off properties as their own. That’s why walk-throughs are so important.

Pay with credit card. Never pay a security deposit or first month’s rent with a gift card or by wire transfer. These payment methods are the same as sending cash —once you send it, you have no way to get it back.

Be skeptical of low prices. Scammers lure in targets by promising low rents, great amenities and other perks. If the price seems much better than comparable homes, it may be a scam.