The funniest one was cutting them or putting "scam" across the front.

Especially after one of these scam seminars blows through town and gets a few fools to attend.

This isn't a scam I've heard about - but please proceed with caution.

I remember trying to do a short term  rental of  a house a few years ago and the whole thing was a scam.

Is this legitimate, or is this a scam and a waste of time?

I agree with the poster that said you can’t get involved in things or it will burn you out, but Thant doesn’t mean you can’t show some sympathy or offer help.The woman has been seriously ill and lost her job in the last year and had two kids murdered. she hasnt ask for a thing, so shes not scamming you, they have been long term tenants who paid off the mortgage in a year, so you have no mortgage but are still guaranteed most of the rent.It could do wonders for her (and you) to send her a compliance card and flowers or a ham or something, and let her know if she wants to move to someplace she would feel safer or has no bad memories you would be willing to work with her caseworker to find something else.

I thought it could be a fishing scam because he asked me to fill out an application upfront.

Or they fear you will use the photos in a scam craig's list ad. 

Finished a massive remodel on my house and Bought another rental almost two years ago and did some things wrong (including having a tenant that was running a 3 million dollar real estate scam that got hooked on heroin when the feds caught him lol) but I've learned a ton from it and am ready to get things rolling and start buying properties. 

It has its flaws, but the customer now knows that if they have all the numbers on paper, it is a scam.