Realtors warn renters of scam threat

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Scammers are targeting renters in central Indiana.

Realtors discovered the suspects are trying to rent out homes they don't own.

The con artists are snatching pictures of homes from legitimate realtor sites. They then place the pictures on sites like Craigslist.

All of the homes used in the plot are currently vacant, but for sale.

In most cases, the scammers offer the home for rent at a great rate. The contract and the negotiating are done through email.

The suspects never meet with the renters.

"(They say) they are not in state or the country. They will even say they are doing mission trips," says Danielle Bell a local realtor.

The plotters also ask for the first month’s rent and a security deposit before delivering the keys.

One tip renters can use to protect themselves is to Google prospective properties several times. If you find the homes listed on several sites with different names and different phone numbers, it's probably a scam.

"It's awful. The real estate business is hard enough," said resident Andy Lang. "Scams like that cause more mistrust."