Tenant identity fraud

[Jason Allen]

I am at a loss here. Maybe someone can help me out. So I have a couple who recently moved in Under fake names. Well not completely fake the female half Used her mother's name and had her mother's background check to avoid her multiple eviction showing up. So they have a signed lease With a forged  signature and the wrong name. Anyhow either the mother is a victim of identity theft or more likely she's a willing participant in the fraud. For better or worse they are 2 weeks late on the rent and we're probably gonna be filing eviction. Probably under the real and fraudulent names. Funny story the way We were able to find out is that we got an anonymous tip. But then it was confirmed because another scammer had posted the listing for the house a very very low price. And so some poor lady had driven over there to see the place And talk to them to try to find out about the rental which wasn't available (or wasn't available yet it'll probably be available as soon as the eviction goes through...) Anyhow the The poor lady looking for the apartment spoke to the Female Who I had known as ruth But when she spoke with this poor lady she used her real name which is Samantha. Which matched the anonymous tip so... I am rapidly losing faith in humanity... Anyhow has anyone ever had to deal with this? does it even make sense to go to the police? Sorry for the  sob story but any advise or help could be appreciated

[Patricia Steiner]

I've never personally had this happen to me but I was contacted by a BPer who had this same scenario play out at a property they remotely managed (owned).  They contacted me for help - and the more I looked in to it and vetted the people, geez, they were some downright scary serial scammers.  The owners, like you, went the eviction route and the scammers had the nerve to countersue the owner claiming it was unsafe, the property was falsely advertised/presented, and that they were discriminated against. Cut to the chase: The judge kicked them to the curb and ordered the sheriff to move them out within 24 hours. They did include all the vetting on their false identities and past criminal records that we had found in our search.

Expect this:  they may very likely steal everything they can (appliances, light fixtures, faucets).  They may have leased out rooms to others (for squatting, drug use).  Prepare for this mentally.  The goal is to get them out asap and then have a locksmith on the premises the second the eviction is enforced.

You're almost done...it will never happen to you again.  Warning to other landlords:  it will be coming your way...beware.