Realtors alerted about rental scam

Real estate agents are warned by a representative of San Diego Real Estate Inspection Co. not to go into vacant houses alone.

“Please wait for the client or your inspector,” said Philippe Heller

in an e-mail to Realtor Doreen Smith, president of the Ramona Real

Estate Association. “...We have found people living in these vacant

houses.”

Realtors also are being told to check “for rent” ads for their

vacant listings that are not rentals. Some people are creating ads as a

scam and getting money from potential renters.

Doreen Smith, president of the Ramona Real Estate Association,

forwarded the alert to all association members. She may be contacted at

760-803-4708 for more information.