CAUTION: Rental and Foreclosure Scam Alert

As the rental market tightens to almost no availability, scam artists are apparently taking advantage of this situation to victimize Santa Clarita residents.

"Jim" apparently preys on people who are facing foreclosure by getting them to sign a grant deed and offering them a small amount of money to move out. He then "rents" the property to unsuspecting tenants, taking cash only for a deposit and first month's rent. Once the tenants move in, he apparently further victimizes them by stealing their personal belongings. He'll move people in and out of the same property multiple times in this manner.

How do you avoid this type of scam? First of all, a grant deed is not valid when a property is in foreclosure, so if someone offers to save your home in this way you're most likely being scammed. If you're a potential tenant, the requirement for a cash deposit is highly unusual and should be considered as a possible scam as well.

Of course the best way to avoid this type of nightmare is to always use a qualified Realtor or Management Company for your real estate transactions. Need help? Call Linda Slocum at 661.670.0349 for all of your real estate needs.