(Pottawattamie County, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department, Friday (today), would like to make you aware of crimes that have happened locally. Authorities say victims are leasing homes “sight unseen,” and paying remote landlords with gift cards or Venmo. They later find the home is owned by someone else. Police officials say, “When renting, make sure to inspect the property in person and meet with the leasing agent or property owner.” They say you should also check ownership on Pottco.org.

The P-D warns “Funds lost in these scams are rarely recovered.”