Don’t trust the paperwork they submit. Run your own background check and do your own detailed verification. If they submit fake information in an attempt to secure a lease - call the police and report it.

If you are a past victim of this scammers, call the Fairfax County, Virginia police department. There is a case. If she submits an application, chances are the documents are forgery. Double check by running your own background check and call the police.

Agree with names listed above. - Dolly Lacroix, Monica F Demetro...add Rosie Petro, Lulugee Demetro, and Christine Nicklas (application submitter with supposedly 2 high school age kids). Dolly came with Christina and she claimed to be "the Nanny" that said she wouldn't be living there.

Not sure how many people lived at the property, as it was impossible to prove - there were a group of people flowing between two townhouses in Kingstowne. The main person going in and out was an older man and also a middle aged male.

Trashed property, didn't pay rent for months, had issue with stolen car that the police came and repo'd, and many calls to police and HOA for speeding/parking violations, trash violations, and disturbing the peace.

Ripped down smoke alarms, broke doors, wrecked appliances, left tons of trash out in bags (not in the proper cans) during days before trash day and was littering the neighborhood (never cleaned it up), loud music, breaking bottles in the street, speeding through the neighborhood, parking illegally and blocking in neighbors.

Moved out with no notice when they knew eviction was imminent, left the property unlocked...left tons of trash, unwanted belongings and old furniture in the garage, back patio, and throughout the house...drywall damage from unapproved holes in walls...left broken fixtures, appliances left dirty/damaged/broken/unusable...lost all remotes and keys, left blinds broken/filthy, food and garbage encrusted in the carpets, ash burns in carpet, cigarette butts piled in sink, and left the entire house smelling like an ashtray.

Anonymous wrote:I just received an application on Zillow from a Dolly Lacroix. The Zillow application is perfect with no red flags. Thank you to those who have posted here!

Whoa.

I just received an application on Zillow from a Dolly Lacroix. The Zillow application is perfect with no red flags. Thank you to those who have posted here!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, what do you think you should have done better either on selecting tenants application or any other factors to prevent this likely to happen?

I know you can't predict it, but what could you do better? I am a new landlord in va

Credit checks and references are essential. This is a business agreement - as much as you'd like to help someone who is getting re-established after a divorce/just starting in their career/etc. - use only the info you get from the credit check and the references to make your decision. Ask me how I know.

Agree + 100! Ask me how I know.

I know this is an old thread and OP's tenants have long gone, but wow, this thread is wild with specific names

Anonymous wrote:My dad had to evict someone (in Baltimore) and it took 6 months. I've always heard that the process can take a long time. I don't think it's a few weeks and then your done.

Fortunately, VA is much better. OP will have her place back in 45-60 days.

Dolly Lacroix is a very heavy smoker too. After she is done with your house, it’s going to smell like a chimney. They also don’t pay their utility bills, like internet, water and electric.

Other names that may be associated with these rent scammers are Rosie Petro, Nicky Demetro, Monica F Demetro. And of course, Dolly Lacroix.