Scammers try to rent a house near App State that they don't own – WSOC TV

Lina PortmanJune 5, 2024

0 1 minute read

BOONE, N.C. — A rental scam in Boone is affecting students and families at Appalachian State University.

According to police, fraudsters are trying to rent a house near campus that does not belong to them. They said the person was posting photos of the house and asking for hundreds of dollars for security deposits.

Connor Ryan told Channel 9's Dave Faherty that for students like him, it can be difficult to find off-campus apartments at App State. He started looking a year ago and was stunned to learn of the scam.

“I think it's very wrong that people are taking advantage of this because there are a lot of young people here who will see this as an opportunity. “I can finally save money with such affordable housing,” he told Faherty.

[ ALSO READ: ‘Just a whirlwind’: Family says they’re out thousands of dollars and a home after rental scam ]

Boone police posted about the scam on social media Tuesday. Chief Andy Lebeau spoke with Faherty about a mother who was almost tricked into paying a $600 deposit for a house a few blocks from campus.

“Someone posted property that wasn’t theirs. Had contact information. They even had an online form,” said Lebeau.

He said the mother filled out the paperwork online, but before sending the money, she looked up the property and noticed the owner's name didn't match what was listed on the ad.

Faherty called the phone number listed in the Facebook ad, but no one answered Tuesday. He then went to the address listed in the ad and spoke with the real owner, who said two people had already inquired about renting his house. He hopes no one else falls for the scam.

“My house is not for rent. It was never rented,” he said. “I’ve been a part of my family for about fifty years.”

(WATCH BELOW: Thieves impersonate the sheriff's office in new scam sweeping NC)

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