A troubling thing happened in December. A new kind of scammer, at least to me.

My mother's house in Sandisfield is for sale. It is advertised online.

Some scammer screen-grabbed the online photos and separately advertised the house for rent.

When my husband went to check on the house last month, a gentleman showed up on the property, looking to rent the place.

The scammer had asked for a security deposit from the potential renter!

Be careful out there! If you are looking at rentals by owners - make sure that the property is not listed on for sale sites.

Shauna Burke reported this scam on Connect Sandisfield/Facebook in December. Reprinted as a public service with permission.