12/17/2024
🚨 ⚠️ SCAM ALERT! ⚠️ 🚨
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and it's crucial to stay vigilant online. Here are some red flags to watch out for especially around the holidays!
🚩Unsolicited messages or emails: Be wary of unexpected messages, especially if they ask for personal information or money.
🚩Requests for upfront payment: Legitimate businesses won't ask for payment before providing a service. (this generally includes an 'administrative fee' on top of an application fee that has to be paid for you to be in contact with someone at all!)- Reputable property managers may have a small application fee and process prior to showing the property in question to cover screening costs or administrative time on applications, but they should be *easily reachable by phone* to answer any questions you might have about that fee or process as well! If you call a number you were given and it goes to a voicemail with no names on it or any indication of the company it might belong to, it's highly likely they don't exist.
🚩Deals that seem too good to be true: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
🚩Pressure to act quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making a hasty decision.
🚩Unprofessional communication: Look out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and a lack of clear contact information.
🚩 🚩🚩Red Flag: Out-of-State Management 🚩🚩🚩
Iowa's Real Estate Commission strictly prohibits property management from outside the state. If a supposed property manager provides a website or phone number that traces back to outside Iowa, be extremely cautious and investigate further!
Verify legitimacy by searching the Iowa Business Entities database online.
**Remember, protecting yourself from scams starts with being informed and proactive.
And, don't be afraid to ask them who they work for and who the actual owner of the property is! A legitimate property management company can tell you the owner of the property in question, and you can find those records on the Black Hawk County Assessor's page, no cost and it is public information! (or the county that you live in if outside the Cedar Valley Area)
**Never share personal or financial information with someone you don't know and trust**
Be cautious of clicking on links or attachments in emails from unknown senders.
If you think you've been scammed or have found a scam website or posting, report it to the authorities immediately. You can report Fraudulent Activity to the Federal Trade Commission directly at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov and while it may not fully shut down all frauds and scams, it will greatly help reduce the number of folks getting away with it.
We received a concerning call this morning from one of our current residents. They were contacted by someone falsely claiming to be the property manager. This scammer attempted to rent the owner's home, demanding a $100 'administrative fee' with no legitimate website or application process. They even used copied descriptions from our own property listings!
Please be vigilant! Our application process is ALWAYS conducted through our official website at www.RentWithMartin.com We will NEVER ask for upfront fees via text or email (although there is a small application fee one time to run the background check, which can be paid online during the application through a bank level security merchant or directly at our physical office located on W 4th St in Waterloo!). If you encounter any suspicious activity, contact us immediately!
Stay safe out there! And Happy Holidays!
Hello, and thank you for visiting our properties currently available for rent. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you finding a new place to call home! You may email the leasing team with any questions at: [email protected] (Mouse over properties, and scroll down)...
