MARIPOSA, CA – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about a prevalent online rental scam targeting local residents. Scammers are advertising rental properties in Mariposa County on community Facebook pages and Facebook Marketplace, enticing potential renters with attractive deals. They request upfront application fees or security deposits, conduct all communications electronically, and avoid in-person meetings or phone conversations. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears, leaving victims without a place to rent and no recourse to recover their money.
To protect yourself from such scams, consider the following precautions:
- Be cautious of unusually low rental rates: In a competitive market like Mariposa County, rental properties are limited. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Avoid electronic-only interactions: Legitimate landlords typically prefer in-person meetings or phone conversations. Be wary of anyone who refuses to meet in person or speak over the phone.
- Never send money or share financial information without verification: Do not send money or share financial details until you have personally verified the property and the landlord. Always meet the landlord in person and tour the property before making any payments.
- Watch for red flags in listings: Be alert to listings with grammatical errors, mismatched photos, or descriptions that seem copied from other sources. Scammers often use these tactics to create a false sense of legitimacy.
If you believe you have been the victim of this scam, contact the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (209) 966-3615. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial in safeguarding yourself against rental fraud.
