TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Police Department said Friday they are seeing an increase in rental property scams.

Tulsa police said a scammer will steal photographs of a real property for sale off a trusted website like Zillow, then create a “duplicate post” on a website such as Craigslist or another online marketplace, listing the same property for “rent.”

A potential renter will see a home for rent on Craigslist and think its legitimate and when they respond to the ad and inquire about touring the property, the scammer will make an excuse as to why they can’t actually go inside the property, police said.

Police said the scammer will most likely offer some sort of “discount” if you pay 3 months rent up front or send an immediate deposit or pay the deposit, or first month’s rent via gift cards, or an app based money transfer of Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App.

In the end, you have just sent a scammer thousands of dollars for a property you thought you were renting, only to find out that property was never for “rent” in the first place, police said.

It was actually for sale by the actual homeowner, or through a real estate firm.

Here are some red flags to look for when searching for a house to rent:

• Renter will not let you tour the interior of the property before you sign contract or pay deposit.

• Renter makes excuses as to why they can’t meet you at property to let you look inside.

• Wants you to pay a deposit using gift cards, or payments through Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App.

What can you do to avoid being scammed?

• Do extensive research on the prospective property you wish to rent. If during your research, you find the same home listed “for sale” by a realtor on other trusted websites, but for rent by an individual on craigslist or marketplace, think twice about that property.

• Find out who the actual owner of the property is via the Tulsa County Assessor’s Office. You can get this information from their website at assessor.tulsacounty.org.

• If the property owner does not match the person you are attempting to rent from, cease all communication.

• Do not send money for down payments or first month’s rent to someone you have never met in person.

• Never send payment via gift cards, or to someone you have never met in person through Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App. If you have been the victim of a rental scam, please complete an online police report at www.tulsapolice.org.

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