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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Ada County assessor in southwest Idaho is warning residents about what he calls one of the most clever scams he's ever seen.
Bob McQuade says scammers find homes for sale and then lists them on websites as rentals.
McQuade says the scam can trick renters because the fake property rentals include the real owner's name and that the owner has decided to take the home of the market and rent it.
McQuade says the scammers then send a rental application to would-be renters to get personal financial information and ask for a deposit.
McQuade says his office has been getting phone calls from renters wanting to confirm the legal owner of a specific home.
He says because the real owner's name is used in the scam, it appears legitimate.
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