McDowell County Sheriff Warns Residents of Rental Scams

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about rental scams that have been reported multiple times over the past week.

According to officials, scammers are posing as landlords and advertising properties for rent, often online. Victims are asked to pay security deposits or rent, only to discover the property is not available or does not belong to the person who posted the ad. Once payment is made, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim without their money or a place to live.

Authorities provided several tips to help prevent falling victim to these schemes:

1. Never send money without first seeing the property in person, as scammers often use photos from legitimate listings.

2. Verify the property owner or manager by contacting the rental company directly or checking public property records.

3. Be cautious of offers that seem unusually low in price or involve pressure to act quickly, as these are common red flags.

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Anyone who believes they have been targeted or has information that could help with the investigation is urged to contact the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-652-2237.