They have no idea who you are, you could seemingly be calling just to confirm where they live for harassment or other criminal purposes. 

That is considered criminal fraud. 

See more here https://www.google.com/amp/s/reason.com/2019/09/17/minneapolis-doesnt-want-landlords-to-check-tenants-criminal-history-credit-score-past-evictions/%3famp

Credit and criminal reports.

Senate approves SB 11, which would charge a renter with criminal mischief if he or she intentionally damages rental property.

Limits on screening for criminal history cannot consider misdemeanors with dates of sentencing older than 3 years2. 

If an uninterrupted chain of documentable residence cannot be established for the previous 24 months, this is unacceptable.A criminal background check will be done on all applicants and any occupant 18 years of age or older.

I am an attorney, but this does not constitute legal advice - you are dangerously close to potential criminal activity in this deal.

I usually have that chat on a prospect by prospect basis ("we do a full credit, criminal, eviction check in our app process, if you think there's something in there that might come up when we process your app, just let us know.

Check your State / County / City (Landlord / Tenant) Laws to see how they speak to denial of rental applications for criminal convictions.