Watch CBS News

FBI: Rental Scams on the Rise

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The FBI says that rental and real estate scams are increasing nationwide, and Baltimore County is no exception to the trend.

The Baltimore Sun reported Sunday that the county's police have recently seen a handful of locals get fleeced.

For instance, a woman said she bought a foreclosed home in Towson in June. But she soon learned that a young mother of two was already living there. It turns out the young mother was the victim of a scam. Someone who claimed to be the owner rented the place to her for $1,500 cash.

Last year, more than 200 Marylanders were ripped off at a total cost of about $650,000. Nationally, scammers cost victims more than $40 million in 2015.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.