FBI issues alert for all Americans over prevailing rental scams, why agency wants you to "exercise caution"

In the year 2021, these scams altogether amounted to a total loss of $350,328,166, which is 64% higher than in 2020

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We have headed into the summer season now, which implies traveling to seaside destinations and other scenic spots. However, you plan to travel, through flights or get your vehicles fuelled up for a road trip. Whatever plan goes ahead this summer for your vacation, what to eat? Where to live? What to explore? Keeping all these things under attention FBI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued an urgent warning to all the people of America at the height of the summer season.


Take a careful look at why the agency expects you to ‘exercise caution over the next coming months, and what will take you to protect yourself.

As soon as the school announces the break in summer and the warmer temperature hits, most of us get eager to take a break. But, this summer the case has been different, travellers have faced different obstacles that might be associated with flights cancellation or lack of rooms in hotels. Earlier this month, CNN advised people to reschedule their travel plans in the backdrop of rising prices that will cost you multiple folds than in previous years.


Many people were compelled to cancel their vacations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with easing restrictions, Americans are again scheduling their trips and the case of travel resources has increased dramatically. Airlines are facing a shortage of staff and the air-ticket prices are higher than ever.

When these many people are traveling altogether there is a huge shortage of hotel rooms as well and in that case, if you decide to book your accommodations elsewhere you need to be very cautious. The FBI issues several precautions that you need to pay attention to.


Zero-Hour booking, don’t fall for a scam:

The Boston Division of the FBI issued a press release on July 12th owing to the spike in the number of scams rising with regards to rental and real estate scams. As per, the announcements, people are at high risk of falling prey to somehow or another form of a rental scam. When you are out to book your, real estate, rentals, or accommodations online you will have to be very much cautious in that regard. “We have seen a significant increase in the amount of money being lost by people who are desperate to book a good deal”, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division in a press release issued July 12th. “Scammers are cashing in on the renters who need to act quickly for fear of missing out, and it is costing consumers thousands of dollars, and in some cases, leaving them stranded,”

 
The advertisements for Real estate online are not always legitimate. In many such cases, the scammer duplicates and hinders a real ad from a real estate website, and then reposts it on a classified advertisement website. The fraudsters make use of the real broker’s name to create a fake email address, and when people reach the site, they are directed that they can’t see the property unless they make a payment, as they are out of town. Once the payment is done by the victim, the listing is then no longer available. Banks don’t place holds on the funds, and the victim will get assured that the check has cleared. It is not until later they realize it was a counterfeit check and they are solely responsible for the loss.

Be alarmed and keep an eye out for scam warning signs:
In the year 2021, these scams altogether amounted to a total loss of $350,328,166, which is 64% higher than in 2020. In recent cases in New England, victims have shown up to the rentals only to find out that the listing was fraudulent, being locked out and stranded. If you find that you are falling prey to any of these scams, the FBI instructs you to stop all the contacts and report any funds that you may have transferred elsewhere. 


FBI also suggests filing a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Centre. Before sending any money it is hereby advised to see the home or apartments you are booking, don’t fill out applications online until you have met the broker or whosoever is managing the property. Be very smart to not transfer funds to those you don’t know and try to check the identity of the person through public records.
Bonavolonta further added, “We are asking everyone to exercise safety, especially over the next few months, as folks look to book last-minute summer gateways.”

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