MASON CITY – Mason City police are warning of a potential scam involving houses for rent in Mason City listed on a popular bulletin board website.
A person seeking a rental house listed as available through Craigslist answered an advertisement, and the person who listed the ad said he or she has trouble communicating by phone and wanted to do business via email. The alleged scam artist then requested that the potential renter send a rental deposit and first month’s rent via Western Union.
The person answering the ad sent no money, police said.
Police said this is just one of many scams involving rental properties that citizens should be aware of. Sometimes, potential renters are asked to fill out rental agreements or credit applications, and the information is used to steal that person’s identity.
Police warn that citizens should be wary of a landlord that won’t talk over the phone or meet in person, and to guard personal information.