Attorney General Schneider Warns Churches of Rental Assistance Scam

February 2, 2012

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider is warning churches and nonprofits about recent reports of calls from individuals claiming to need help with paying rent.

?There are reports from Maine church officials who have received phone calls from individuals requesting help to pay rent,? said Attorney General Schneider. ?One particular caller was very believable and stated that she needed $170 to rent a home in Winthrop. As it turns out, this particular property is a home which was recently listed for sale and the owner was still living there.?

It is believed the scammer obtained the information on any number of websites where properties are listed for sale.

The caller requests the payment be mailed to the ?land lady? whose address is a post office box in Washington, D.C.

If you think you have experienced a rental assistance scam, call the Attorney General?s Consumer Protection Hotline at (207) 626-8849.