Don’t get dragged in to the drama

Scam artists often use subversive tactics to draw you into their schemes, sometimes without you even realizing it. You might already be caught up in one right now! In marketing psychology, this strategy is known as a "call to action," which plays on your emotions to bait you into engagement.

When it comes to renting out your property, it’s essential to remember that this is a business transaction—emotions shouldn’t play a significant role. If you find that your tenants are eliciting strong emotional responses, it’s a red flag. They may be using manipulative tactics to gain an advantage.

One common approach is being overly nice and helpful, creating a false sense of trust and security. If they frequently update you on the "extra care" they’re taking with your property, it could be a ruse. Similarly, excessive praise, thank-you messages, or emojis (like hearts or smiley faces) can be a form of “love bombing,” designed to build a manipulative connection.

Alternatively, tenants may rely on frequent complaints or fault-finding about the property, testing how far they can push you to accommodate their demands. By doing so, they gauge your willingness to prioritize their satisfaction, making it easier to manipulate you.

Another tactic involves leveraging sympathy by mentioning children, pets, or elderly dependents. They might subtly imply, “How could someone with a family be dishonest?” Don’t let these appeals to emotion cloud your judgment.

Pay attention if their communication style feels unusual compared to other tenants. They may have shared an overly elaborate or fantastical backstory during the application process. Oversharing, name-dropping, humblebragging about their successes, or recounting glamorous adventures are all attempts to make their persona seem exceptional, trustworthy, or wealthy. These behaviors are telltale signs of a potential scam.

Remember, the term "confidence game" exists for a reason: con artists rely on gaining your trust to succeed. Stay vigilant and keep emotions out of the equation when managing rental agreements.