Union County Sheriff's Office Warns of Resurgent Rental Property Scam

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — The Union County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents to a rental scam that is circulating again, targeting those seeking affordable housing in a tight market.

Scammers identify vacant properties by searching legitimate listings for sale or rent, then use publicly available information and photos to pose as property managers or landlords, authorities said.

The suspects advertise the properties on social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Once potential renters inquire, the scammers build rapport to gain trust before requesting application fees or security deposits, the sheriff's office said.

"Once your guard is down, they will ask you for some sort of rental application fee or sometimes even a deposit," the agency stated. "How do you send this rental fee or deposit? Through Venmo, CashApp, gift cards, etc., of course!"

After receiving payment, the scammers typically stop communicating or demand additional money, leaving victims without recourse, according to the warning.

To avoid falling victim, the sheriff's office recommends:

• Verify the property address across multiple reputable websites, as scammers often alter details from legitimate listings.

• Always view the property in person before sending any money.

• Once the property and landlord are confirmed legitimate, use payment methods that provide a paper trail and chargeback protections, such as checks or credit cards.

• Do not provide personal information beyond basic contact details before signing a lease or rental application.

• Never share bank account details, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information unless dealing with a verified source.

• Do not share any verification codes sent to your phone unless you are certain of the recipient's legitimacy.

The agency emphasized trusting one's instincts. "If something does not feel right, it is okay to walk away from the deal. If it seems too good to be true, it often is!"

Anyone unsure about a potential rental transaction should contact the Union County Sheriff's Office for assistance. Officials said they prefer to prevent scams rather than investigate them after the fact.

The warning comes amid ongoing challenges in finding quality, affordable rental properties in the region.