Fall River Police warning public after city residents lose money in scam

Authorities are issuing a warning and tips after Fall River residents were scammed and lost money.

According to Fall River Police, over the past few weeks, they have received multiple reports of individuals being scammed through social media involving apartment rentals. In each case, victims were instructed to send money electronically through platforms such as CashApp and Chime before ever confirming the legitimacy of the listing.

PD states that these predatory tactics exploit the urgency and stress many people face when searching for housing. FRPD urge everyone to take precautions, always verify that a property is legitimately for rent and, whenever possible, confirm details in person before sending any money.

To help protect yourself, please consider the following tips courtesy of FRPD:

• Never send money electronically for a rental without first seeing the property in person.

• Be cautious of listings with prices significantly below market value.

• Verify the identity of the landlord or property manager, ask for identification and ownership details.

• Avoid deals that require immediate payment or create a sense of urgency.

• Do not rely solely on photos, scammers often reuse images from legitimate listings.

• Trust your instincts, if something feels off, take a step back and do more research.

Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Staying vigilant and taking a few extra steps can help protect you from becoming a victim.