The Independence Police Department says they have recently been made aware of a Rental Scam happening in Independence.

 According to the I-P-D, scammers copy photos and descriptions of legitimate online listings and make it their own. Scammers may even make up listings for residents that are not even for rent or sale. They will ask all the right questions; even have victims fill out the correct paperwork and request their personal information. The scammer may even provide a fraudulent lease.

Watch out for the warning signs to prevent being scammed including not wanting to meet, not having access to the inside of a property, asking a renter to sign and incomplete lease, or not requesting a rental application or credit check. Be aware of rental listings with typos or grammar errors. Never pay with cash, wire transfers, or gift cards and never give personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you and claims to be working for an owner or rental company. Instead, use the contact information you have to contact the owner or company.

If you think you have been scammed, call the Kansas Protection Report Center hotline at 1-800-922-5330.