This Westfield Police Department put out an advisory several weeks ago about a rental scam taking place throughout the region to include right here in Westfield. We have received multiple calls over the last week reporting that this is still taking place. Fortunately no one has been taken in by this scam over the past weeks, but it warrants repeating.
This particular scam involves a person taking an existing, legitimate rental listing from another online source like Craigslist or most recently from a listing of off campus housing provided by Westfield State University. The scammer then lists the property, complete with pictures, as their own with their contact information. Once the scammer is contacted they will show you all kinds of paperwork via text or email "proving" that the property is legitimate, but they will try to get you to send a deposit without meeting the landlord and without seeing the property. Please, never send a deposit for housing without meeting the landlord and personally viewing the property.
Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.