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Homeowners Urged To Avoid Super Bowl Hustle

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By KRISTA KLAUS

kklaus@wfla.com

Published: January 23, 2009

Dennis Mobbs says he was enticed by all the makeshift signs offering big bucks if he was willing to rent out his home for the Super Bowl.

When he called one of the toll-free numbers, the deal sounded almost too good to be true.

"The message that came over, which was pre-recorded, said I would receive $1,000 a day for each bedroom I have for seven days," Mobbs said.

With three bedrooms in his Hillsborough County home, Mobbs quickly calculated a windfall of $21,000 for a week. But an agent on the phone informed him of the catch. Mobbs would have to pay a $1,000 application fee before the company would place anybody in his home.

The 75-year-old retiree punted the deal before handing over any money, but he worries others might lose money on it.

Tampa police say people considering renting their homes out for the Super Bowl need to do their homework.

"Times are tight right now, people are hurting financially and before I hand over that money, I would definitely do my research," Cpl. Pete Charbonneau said.

Charbonneau says if a third-party placement agency connects you with a potential renter, you should try to meet them before striking a deal.

"You're opening up your home to a complete stranger. I would think it's very important to do a good interview, see how they behave, see how they present themselves," Charbonneau said.

Finally, if you do take on a renter, make sure you obtain a security deposit and be careful to protect anything you don't want stolen.

"If you've got valuables and things you don't want to take a walk, you might want to refrain from keeping those things inside the home," Charbonneau said.

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