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Q: We manage several properties and have become aware of a con artist in the area who poses as a prospective tenant. What steps can we take to protect ourselves and our clients from scammers? 

A: There are several best practices property managers can follow to help avoid falling victim to a con artist. First, do your due diligence to verify the prospective tenant’s identity by performing thorough background checks on tenant applicants, including verifying their identity, income, rental history, and credit score. Contact previous landlords directly to confirm the applicant’s behavior, payment history, and tenancy details. If any information seems suspicious or inconsistent, investigate further. Second, scammers may push for immediate approval or show an unnatural eagerness to sign a lease. If an applicant is rushing or offers to pay several months’ rent upfront without proper screening, it could be a red flag. Finally, avoid accepting payments through insecure methods. Always use secure, traceable payment methods such as cashier’s checks or money orders. Scammers are always adjusting their strategies, and no preventative measure is ironclad. It is essential for property managers to use their best judgment and remain vigilant. 

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