Prospective Tenant give bounced check

[Sh T.]

Hi, I would like some advice from experienced folks. I am searching tenant for my home and one of the propective tenant have bad credit. She told me that her credit is not good because she was working in cash few years ago and she is try to make her credit score good( I don’t believe her story). And she will pay a year’s rent upfront. She showed me her bank statements . Her background looks okay too.

So few days ,ago she gave me personal check for security deposit and it bounced. I texted her and she told me that on her side, it shows that it was paid. I don’t believe her. How can bounced check shows that it has been paid on her side?

Lease hasn’t been signed yet.

My question: Is this red flag that her very first check is bounced ?

And is it okay to let her stay in my home for one year after she paid me whole years rent upfront? I will take cashiers check for that.

Thanks for all your help!

[John Warren]

@Sh T. this has multiple red flags. The bank account may be fraudulent. Tenant is dishonest. Tenant had a bounced check. Run, Run Run!

I only take money orders now from tenants unless they are completing ACH payments once we have established tenancy. The land lord association I am a part of here locally in Berwyn taught me early on that money orders and cashier's checks are the only smart way to accept funds on the first transaction. This has saved me several times over as the scammers are not interested in showing up with a money order.