Amid the desperate search for affordable housing in a ski town with a mounting housing crises, realtors and prospective residents alike have noticed an influx of rental scams based in Steamboat, particularly on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. 

According to Ken Schomaker and his assistant and broker associate Stacey Pusey of MR Realty, rental scams on Facebook Marketplace have skyrocketed on the website over the past month. They noted that many scammers steal photos and information from MR Realty’s legitimate listings and post it online for a significantly cheaper price. 

Although there is not an exact number on the amount of scams, Pusey, who regularly checks Facebook Marketplace to flag scams that have stolen MR Realty information, estimates that about one third of listings on the platform are fraudulent. On one occasion last week, she flagged six scams in one day. 

There are indicators that can help renters identify scams. Renters should always check the account profile under the listing first. If there are little to no posts or pictures attached to the profile and the user recently joined this year, it is probably a scam, based on Pusey’s experience. 

Pusey also said that many of the scam posts follow the same language and key words. The posts want to appeal to renters, so they will use enticing diction and include features that many of the properties might not even have. 

“It’s the same verbiage (with) all the scams: sophisticated, dog-friendly, pet-friendly,” Pusey described. Other red flag features include the descriptor “elegant” and the inclusion of A.C. Schomaker said that A.C. units in Steamboat are “pretty rare.”

“I don’t know if they’re just copying other descriptions or just using AI, but you start to recognize that it’s just the same style of description,” continued Schomaker. 

Both Schomaker and Pusey recommend searching for housing directly from the realty companies’ websites or from websites like Zillow where landlords have to pay to list their properties. “Anything you got to pay to advertise on, you’re probably not going to have scammers,” Schomaker explained. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are free for anyone to post on, increasing the risk of scams.

Schomaker noted that anything with an application fee higher than $75 is another scam indicator. He added that MR Realty and many other realtors in Steamboat do not even charge an application fee. “By Colorado law, you can’t charge exorbitant application fees,” he said.

Schomaker and Pusey especially urged those searching to have realistic expectations and avoid anything that seems “too good to be true” or unusually cheap. A listing won’t be less than $1,000 dollars per bedroom, Schomaker mentioned as a measurement for the actual market prices. 

Araceli Googins, the Yampa Valley Housing Authority’s Housing Navigator, also warned against rentals that appear too good to be true. A few of her major warning signs included owners who refuse to meet in person, rush tenants for money and create a high pressure situation. “Anything rush, rush, rush is a big red flag,” cautioned Googins. 

While searching for a competitive room in the Yampa Valley can feel overwhelming, it is critical that prospective renters take the necessary precautions to avoid scams. “First and foremost, do your research,” advised Googins. 

She emphasized that although apartment spots fill up quickly, a credible rental process is inherently lengthy and renters should take the time to verify information about the property and the landlord. 

For those searching for rooms remotely and relying on online listings, Googins recommended performing a reverse Google image search on the pictures in the listing. This way, renters can trace the images back to the original source and ensure this coincides with the property and owner. 

Googins also mentioned asking the landlord for references from prior tenants, property records and a video call tour of the property to verify the space and the owner remotely. The property assessor’s web page is another tool for ensuring a credible property recommended by both Googins and Schomaker. 

Ultimately, Googins stressed the importance of signing a lease. As a legal document, it gives the tenant “the legal right to enjoy the property” and “the right to be there,” she said. Prospective tenants should always ask for a lease prior to moving in. Without them, tenants can be suddenly asked to leave and left with few legal protections. 

“You don’t have to sign anything you don’t understand,” continued Googins, referencing reading over the lease and encouraging renters to ask questions about details that may appear missing. HOA documents are another essential record that tenants should have access to prior to renting. 

For those struggling finding affordable housing, the housing authority is a helpful resource for ensuring credible rentals. Not only does Googins have information on the properties owned by the housing authority, but she also has access to information on other apartment complexes in town that have been deemed official.

The housing authority also provides a list of rentals outside of Steamboat in nearby residential areas like Stagecoach and Craig. Verified realtors like Schomaker are another knowledgeable source.

“I try to educate people,” said Schomaker, alluding to many phone calls where he has helped people find authentic websites to search for rentals. “Even if it doesn’t benefit us, I’m just happy to keep people from getting scammed,” he added. 

Pusey, who has worked for MR Realty for around 20 years, says that it’s just recently that the online scams have become rampant. “I used to see (scams) pop up every now and then…But within the last month, it’s been constant,” she said. She flags fraudulent listings only for them to return to Facebook the next day under a new account. 

Schomaker attributes the recent increase in part to there being more legitimate housing inventory within the Steamboat market. “It’s easy pickings to just steal and scam (the legitimate listings’) info,” he said, adding that “they’re praying on the desperation of people.”

Googins said the most important thing when looking for rentals is to “trust your gut” and always press for questions. She added that most scams go unreported because of a “stigmatized shame” felt by those who have been scammed. Despite this, “reporting it is the best thing you can do.”

Scams can be reported at StopFraudColorado.gov and additional resources are available at Consumer.FTC.gov.