Avoiding Scams Online
Even with advanced spam protection, some scam artists still have a way of emailing unsuspecting victims. While spam protection stops automated emails from going through an inquiry system, some scammers will go through and enter each inquiry one by one, making them difficult to stop. Here are some common features of a scam email:
- An international phone number
- From an African country
- Poor grammar and punctuation (For example, no capitalized letters)
- A wide range of dates for their vacation
If you spot any or all of these features, be sure to use caution if you choose to reply to their inquiry.
Here are a few tips:
- Request references and contact via telephone
- Tell them that if the check is not for the exact payment amount you will not be cashing it
- If they do send a check for an amount larger than required, do not cash it or send them any money
- Forward emails you suspect are a scam to uce@ftc.gov and/or info@lakerentals.com
Scam artists pray on the good nature of honest people. They know that you want to rent your property and are willing to take advantage of your hard work.
Regard suspicious emails with caution and follow our tips to avoid being scammed.