When looking for a Northwest Wisconsin home to purchase or vacation property to rent, you might browse Craigslist or look through social media sales pages. While it’s harmless to casually look around, you need to be on guard against real estate scams. Here’s how a common one works.
Basically, the scammer copies the images and select details from a legitimate real estate listing. He then creates a new listing for the same property on another website or social media page. The contact details are changed to show the scammer’s text number or email.
Scammers usually list the home “for rent” or “rent-to-own” at an attractive price. They will be difficult to contact, communicating only by text or email. They will make excuses for being unable to show you the property. They will suggest you look around the exterior of the property and peek through the windows.
They will also pressure you to send a security deposit via wire transfer. They promise to send you the keys and paperwork in the mail, or make a promise to meet you when they’re “back in town.” Once you’ve taken the bait and sent your money, they disappear! Rarely is the swindled money ever recovered.
Sadly, this scheme works too well. It’s been around for a while, but the pandemic era has given it new life, as more people embrace doing transactions at a distance.
Your best bet is to do your Northwest Wisconsin real estate search directly on a reputable brokerage’s real estate website, such as SixLakesRealty.com! Better yet, ask us for personal assistance with your real estate search. We are happy to help you!
Six Lakes Realty offers the very best in real estate guidance! We are a locally-owned family business with over 40 years of experience. Our friendly, hometown service is just a call away!
John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com
