Any red flags here ?

[Raj Kumar]

Hi, I am the first time landlord and this is my very first property for LTR. I just listed a new construction single family home for rent, and I signed the lease with one of the application and lease starts from end of October.

The vetting process i did was, Zillow credit report has 745 credit score, 100% payments, no debt and under 10% credit utilization and no loans. No evictions or court orders in background check. Valid Drivers License - address matching with credit report and paychecks. Met with the person for showing as well, single parent moving in with 3 kids. Attached Paychecks and rent to income ratio looks OK.

Concerns are:

Previous landlord references was fake i guess, provided some textmail/voip phone numbers, when called no one answers. Same thing with Employer contact details - textmail call number, no one answers.

when I called, mentions phone number provided in the rental application is not going to valid anymore and call back from a different number.

That person mentions don't have a bank account and would ask someone to zelle the security deposit. (who wouldn't have bank account these days)
Employer name didn't displayed in the credit report.

Not sure, if any of the concerns are red flags ? OR am I thinking more ?
Since we both already signed the lease and it about to kick-in at end of October 2023, anything more can be done ?

Can any experienced people offer your insights ? greatly appreciated.

[Jason Cox]

Quote from @Raj Kumar:

To update the thread.

I have notified the tenant that the income was not verified and the details provided on the application are misleading or either false and am going to void the lease. And never heard back from them, not even a text or call.

Reported them to FTC and other govt. agencies.

Thank you all for all the advise and inputs.

 Great! You really dodged a bullet here. 

It's an unfortunate reality that you can't let your guard down for one second when screening applicants. Some landlords get blinded by things like tenant with a high paying job and ignore other warning signs about that prospect. You can't get your hopes up until screening is completed, funds given, utilies transferred  and lease signed.

[Jason Allen]

Quote from @Raj Kumar:

To update the thread.

I have notified the tenant that the income was not verified and the details provided on the application are misleading or either false and am going to void the lease. And never heard back from them, not even a text or call.

Reported them to FTC and other govt. agencies.

Thank you all for all the advise and inputs.

Evictions cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars and are incredibly stressful.
You really dodged a bullet there..