Alternatives to Craigslist Sarasota
Whether you are looking for a used car or a place to stay in Sarasota, Craigslist is your one-stop shop for finding the right deal. However, you should know that there are plenty of scams out there, and here are a few things to look out for.
Scams on Craigslist
Several Sarasota residents have experienced Craigslist scams in the last week. One woman was suckered into paying a cash deposit on a home in Florida. Another man was duped into paying for a vehicle on the internet.
Sarasota Police Department received three complaints about Craigslist rental scams. The police said there was little they could do to investigate the scams. However, they do want prospective renters to do their research before committing to a landlord.
The scams target beachfront vacation spots and single family homes. Scammers will make sweet sounding deals, entice customers with low rates, and then go to any lengths to get their money.
The scammers will make up a sob story about being out of the country or being deployed to the Middle East. They will then ask for a deposit and send an application for a rental house or apartment. The ad might include pictures of the property. They will also change their contact information.
Rental scams
Earlier this month, two people lost money to Craigslist Sarasota rental scams. The scam involves using a real home listing to entice buyers. A “generous” price tag accompanied by an unbelievable description is just the beginning.
A plethora of mobile apps are now available to help you sift through the myriad rental listings. While many of them are legitimate, there are also a lot of scams.
The real estate industry is ripe for fraudsters. Scammers will do anything to make a buck. They use all the tricks of the trade to snare the unwary.
It’s not uncommon for out-of-towners to pay a small deposit to reserve a unit by the week. However, when they arrive in town, they discover that the rental is actually occupied by someone else.
Tampering with the odometer on used cars
Among the most common crimes committed against consumers is odometer tampering. A vehicle’s mileage may be inflated or rolled back to make a vehicle look more like a “newer” car, which increases its value.
The Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation has four regional offices that compare mileage on the title with mileage on the vehicle’s maintenance records. They also check for maintenance stickers and oil change stickers. The agency estimates that between $4 and $10 billion is lost to odometer fraud annually.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that odometer fraud is a crime, and victims have the right to civil penalties against the perpetrator. They can also seek legal assistance.
The Office of Odometer Fraud investigates odometer tampering by analyzing vehicles’ maintenance records and comparing the mileage on the title with the odometer. They can also detect other signs of odometer rollback, such as disassembly or missing parts.
Alternatives to Craigslist
Whether you are looking for a job or buying and selling, Craigslist can be a great way to do it. However, it isn’t the only website you can use. Here are some other alternatives to Craigslist in Sarasota.
Facebook Marketplace is a social platform that allows users to buy and sell items in their area. The main difference between this site and Craigslist is that the transactions are between friends. This provides an extra layer of security. You can also post photos and ask your friends to share the content with their friends.
OfferUp is another social platform that makes it easy for sellers to catch someone’s eye. You can post photos and prices, and the distance from you is displayed. You can rate other buyers and sellers as well.
