A Georgia family of eight, already struggling with housing instability, is now sleeping in their cars after falling prey to a rental scam that left them homeless and desperate.
Bennecia Smith and her family were excited to move into what they thought would be their new home in Clayton County.
The opportunity seemed perfect: an acquaintance had connected them with a woman willing to rent them an entire house at an affordable price.
For the past two years, the Smith family had been living in motels due to Bennecia’s mother’s declining health.
The prospect of finally having a stable home was a dream come true. However, just nine days after moving in, that dream was shattered when they realized they had been scammed.
“She [had] paperwork and everything. I had a whole lease. It felt like it was legit,” Smith told WSB-TV 2 Atlanta. “I was very excited because it was my first house with my two kids… [but] she took from my kids.”
The family paid the scammer $1,200 upfront and set up a monthly payment plan, believing they were secure in their new residence.
But the harsh reality set in when the police arrived and informed them they were trespassing. Despite showing the officers the lease, Smith was told it was fake.
“I was like, how was I trespassing? I was showing him the lease, and he’s like, that’s a fake lease,” Smith recounted.
Forced to leave immediately, the Smith family had to abandon some of their belongings. With no way to recover the money they had paid, they are now struggling to gather enough funds to secure a motel room each night.
When they can’t afford it, they are left with no option but to sleep in their cars.
Spotting and Avoiding Rental Scams
Rental scams like the one that targeted the Smith family are becoming increasingly common, fueled by advances in technology and the competitive housing market.
Scammers often find vacant homes listed for sale online, pose as potential buyers to gain access, and then list the property for rent, complete with a fake lease.
By the time the real homeowners or renters realize what has happened, it is often too late to recover the lost money.
“You have to be your own detective,” warned WSB-TV 2 consumer advisor Clark Howard. “Because once it happens to you, there is no easy way out… once the money has left your hands… the money has made a one-way trip.”
To protect yourself from falling victim to a rental scam, it is crucial to verify the legitimacy of the rental before handing over any money.
Insist on meeting the landlord or property manager in person, view the property before making any payments, and check public property records to ensure you are dealing with the rightful owner. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
