Warning: 5 Red Flags to Watch for in Hudson Valley Rental Scams

Recently, I've been on the look-out for a new apartment. On one of the locaI Facebook pages, I stumbled across a post for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment in Poughkeepsie listed for just $1,300 with a $500 refundable deposit. The price just seemed much too good to be true! It was. The post didn’t include a full address and upon further investigation, I found the images were copied from a real estate website—clear signs of a scam. Here's five ways to help protect yourself from rental scams.

1) Watch for Unrealistically Low Prices

Scammers often lure victims with prices far below market value. Always research comparable listings. Be warry of statements like "owner pays all utilities". Sounds great right? Don't be fooled.

2) Reverse Image Search

You can also use Google’s reverse image search to check if photos are taken from other websites. In my case, the images were lifted from a legitimate site.

3) Request an In-Person Viewing

Real landlords will offer property viewings. Scammers may try to avoid this, claiming to be “out of town.” If they resist, walk away. In this case, the “rentor” responded with a vague, poorly written message, asking for my name and number just to “be sure” I was interested. The improper grammar was a big red flag.

4) Verify The Identity

Always confirm the person’s identity. Ask for ID or use verification services like goConfirm. Anyone who refuses should raise suspicion.

5) Stick to Standard Payment Methods

Never pay deposits via wire transfer or cash. Use secure, traceable methods like checks or credit cards.

Be Aware of Red Flags
I almost fell for this scam, but the signs were too clear to ignore. The vague response, copied images, and missing property details all pointed to a scam. Remember, if it's too good to be true, it usually is. Always be vigilant! If it’s happening in Poughkeepsie, it’s most likely happening elsewhere.