Rental Fraud and Identity Theft

 Posted on October 10,2024 in Asset Forfeiture

Fake rental housing advertisements are placed for a lot of different reasons. Sometimes, the person who places the false ad is deliberately trying to obtain unsuspecting would-be renter’s personal information. People will often readily provide a potential landlord with their Social Security Number, an image of their ID, and even bank information to arrange a deposit. Fake rental listings might also be created by people who are considering becoming landlords to get a sense of who would apply and how much rent they could charge. However, it can also get you charged with identity theft if you use any of the personal information prospective tenants give you. If you are facing identity theft charges related to a false rental ad, you need a Dallas, TX white-collar crimes attorney to help you.

Understanding Rental Fraud and Related Crimes 

Placing a fake ad for a rental property you do not actually own or do not intend to rent out can be considered a form of fraud. These fake ads are placed for several reasons, including: 

• Inducing people to send personal information - People are often desperate to find good rental housing at a reasonable price. Renters often must move within a certain time frame based on when their old lease is ending. This can cause them to let their guard down when they see an attractive rental at a low price. The person who posted the ad can then ask the prospective tenant to fill out an application and provide personal identifying information. Using this information can lead to identity theft charges. 
• Stealing credit card information - A person posing as a landlord might ask a prospective tenant to pay a deposit or application fee, inducing the would-be renter to provide credit card information. Using this fraudulently obtained information might cause you to be charged with credit card fraud or identity theft. 
• Innocent market research - People who are considering investing in rental property might innocently place fake ads just to gain a better understanding of who would apply for the type of property they are interested in and what they could charge for it. This can lead to legal trouble and is generally inadvisable. However, if you do not collect personally identifying information, you are unlikely to face serious felony charges. 

Contact a Dallas, TX Identity Theft Lawyer 

Spencer & Associates has successfully handled several high-profile federal fraud cases. Experienced Dallas County, TX identity theft attorney Arnold Spencer will do all he can to provide the best defense possible. Contact us at 214-385-8500 for a complimentary consultation.