Unwitting Renter In Home Hijacking, Rental Scam Dodges Immediate Boot; Proof Of Occupancy For 30+ Days Entitles Her To Rights As Tenant, Says Advocate

In Riverside, California, KABC-TV Channel 7 reports:

• Rental scams are on the rise in Riverside County. Police in Moreno Valley are investigating a suspected case of felony fraud. One family lost their house and their money even though their rent was paid. It had seemed like the perfect house. Marilyn Elliott and her two children moved in last month. But on Sunday night, it all turned to chaos. "They were like, 'You need to open up the door.' And I'm like, 'What is this?'" recounted fraud victim Marilyn Elliot.

• It was the Moreno Valley police investigating a report of squatters on the property. What a way for Marilyn Elliot to find out that the lease agreement she signed was bogus. The house was entering foreclosure and officers ordered Elliott to be out within 24 hours.

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• The Fair Housing Council [of Riverside County] (http://www.fairhousing.net/) says that many victims do not know their rights. Under the law Elliott does have temporary protection from eviction. "On a weekly basis we are flooded with calls about the same situation," said Juanita Kodera, Fair Housing Council. "If she has been in the unit over 30 days, that makes her a tenant." It took some time to prove she had been there for a month. The receipt for the $3,500 cash she paid was just a handwritten note. Now the police department says it will be up to the bank to give Elliott more time.

For the story, see Riverside renters warned of cash scams (go here for KABC-TV Channel 7 video). KappaPhonyLandlordScam