AVALON - The Avalon Police Department is taking a proactive measure of warning realtors and potential renters in Avalon and other local shore communities about an online rental scam that is currently taking place in some shore resorts. The scam involves the use of various websites to post rental opportunities that are fraudulent and do not even exist.

“Our police department has become aware of these fraudulent rentals that have occurred as close as Ocean City, New Jersey”, said Avalon Police Chief William McCormick. “We want to raise awareness of this rental scam because it involves the perpetrators lifting photographs of real rental properties off of the websites operated by various realtors. Even though this scam has not been reported in Avalon, this issue needs awareness in our community and in our other neighboring communities as well”.

Here is how the scam works: individuals copy photographs of rental properties that currently exist and post the photographs and other related information on various websites including Craigslist. The fraudulent listing often lists a price well below market value and suggests that the “owners” of the property are out of the country and their seashore “home” is vacant and available for rental. The scam continues with a request for the potential renter to wire their funds in advance via PayPal or Western Union in order to make the tracing of the transaction nearly impossible. The victims of the scam often do not know they have been cheated out of their funds until it is time for them to move in.

The Avalon Police Department wants both realtors and potential renters to be aware of this scam along the New Jersey coastline. The department offers up these common sense tips relating to real estate transactions:

-Visitors should work only with licensed real estate professionals and offices when they attempt to rent a property at the shore. Log on to their individual websites for complete listings, contact information and verification.

-Maintain a folder that includes all telephone numbers, email addresses, and contact information relating to the property you intend to rent; any emails that are kept should include the full header information. When possible, personally inspect the property with a realtor before any agreement is signed.

-Confirm the telephone number of the real estate agency through an outside source; websites including www.411.com are a reliable source.

-Real estate agents and individual property owners should search the internet for their properties. Often a simple Google or related search will show a listing that may be fraudulent.

-All payments should be via check or credit card. Any transaction that involves a wire transfer should raise some concerns.

-If you are a renter and intend to share a rental property with other friends and individuals, ask for a copy of the lease from your group leader. If the lease is in a name different than with whom you are dealing, be cautious.

-Remember: if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you have any additional questions or you are suspicious about a rental agreement in the Borough of Avalon, please contact the Avalon Police Department at (609) 967-3411.