Bellbrook Police warn of real estate scam

The Bellbrook Police Department is warning residents of a real estate scam.

Last week, the owner of a home for sale notified police after a Dayton woman contacted her about the home. The woman saw an ad for the home that listed a lower price and a different owner. She didn't realize it was a scam until it was too late.

Detective Keith Salyers said, the false owner "obtained her personal information through a rental agreement, and name, address, date of birth, social security number, along with other family members of hers, he obtained their personal information."

Police are now working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to find the scam artists.

This scam is not unique to people only in Greene County. Salyers said, "Realtors say they're seeing this across the Miami Valley."

"We see them mostly on rentals," Salyers said, "I talked to one person that lost $1,400."

The FBI told Bellbrook Police to be prepared for more of these complaints.

Realtor Bob Watson has some advice. Always go through a reputable realtor, and investigate who the property owner is.

"You can go to the county website and see who really owns the house. Sometimes the name in the ad doesn't match the true ownership of the property," Watson added.