Wannabe Scammers in the Housing Sector: What You Need To Know
Expert Jarkov discusses prominent deceptive practices in the real estate market
Living comfortably is a basic need, and unfortunately, scammers often target the housing and communal services sector. Here's a lowdown on the common schemes these dishonest folks use and how to protect yourself:
- Promising a dream, taking your cash: Fraudsters lure residents with investment offerings for capital repairs, promising dramatic improvements. After swindling the funds, they vanish into thin air, leaving no repairs and no money behind. Stick to official tenders and ensure all work is agreed with residents. Check contractors' licenses and reputations before hiring.
- Falsifying documents: Scoundrels forge signatures or create fake documents, redirecting payments to shifty accounts. Double-check all documents and meeting protocols, and consider notarizing them when necessary.
- Setting up shop under a familiar name: Deceitful folks may register a company with a name similar to a renowned one to collect money. To avoid being duped, check for the managing company's information on official resources such as the local administration website or the registry of managing companies.
- Pushy pseudo-specialists: Some conniving characters offer unnecessary work that residents may not even need. Regularly conduct equipment inspections with the help of independent specialists to avoid being hoodwinked.
- Being vigilant: Fraud in the housing and communal services sector is a significant problem that requires constant vigilance and awareness from citizens. Don't hesitate to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
While the Krasnodar Territory authorities aim to adjust the methodology for determining electricity cost to provide preferential tariffs for rural residents, citizens should remain watchful for potential scams in this sector.
Remember, the best defense against any kind of fraud is knowledge and vigilance. Protect yourself, and live—and save—comfortably!
[1] Tenant Screening: Essential Steps for Detecting Identity Fraud - https://www.tenantscreening.com/blog/tenant-screening-essential-steps-detecting-identity-fraud/[2] Tips to Beat Real Estate Fraud - https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/real-estate-fraud[4] Awareness Programs: Building Safer Communities Together - https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/washington/community-outreach/know-the-fbi-awareness-programs-building-safer-communities-together
- Fraudsters in the housing sector often promise dream investments for capital repairs, promising significant improvements and then disappearing with residents' funds, so always stick to official tenders and ensure all work is agreed upon with residents.
- Falsifying documents is another common scam in the housing market; scoundrels forge signatures or create fake documents to redirect payments to shady accounts, so double-check all documents and meeting protocols, and consider notarizing them when necessary.
- Deceitful folks may register a company with a name similar to a reputable one to collect money; to avoid being duped, check for the management company's information on official resources such as the local administration website or the registry of managing companies.
- Some conniving characters offer unnecessary work that residents may not even need, so regularly conduct equipment inspections with the help of independent specialists to avoid being fooled.
- Being vigilant is crucial in preventing fraud in the housing and communal services sector, and citizens should report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
- To further protect yourself from fraud in the real estate and finance industry, consider the resources provided by organizations such as Tenant Screening for detecting identity fraud (https://www.tenantscreening.com/blog/tenant-screening-essential-steps-detecting-identity-fraud/) and the FBI for tips on preventing real estate fraud (https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/real-estate-fraud). Additionally, awareness programs like those offered by the FBI aim to build safer communities together (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/washington/community-outreach/know-the-fbi-awareness-programs-building-safer-communities-together).
