Dakota State University: How can a remote Madison renter check a listing that demands wired move-in money?

DIRECT ANSWER

Retained SD Attorney General educational guidance,not a new statutory verification. Its stale two-week deposit-return statement is excluded; current retained §43-32-24 controls that timing. Covered private residential rental only; actual agreement and law govern.

The AG guide identifies wired deposits or rent as a scam warning and says that,if the renter cannot visit,a trusted person should verify that the actual property is for rent and matches the ad. The same listing under another person’s name can indicate a hijacked ad. A contract or purported keys do not validate an overseas payment demand.