Pueblo rental scam targets innocent family looking for home

A rental scam in Pueblo West is targeting innocent families trying to find a place to live.

Stephanie Schrein and her two young girls just moved to Pueblo from Arkansas a couple days ago.

“We were trying to find a place to live before Christmas,” said Schrein.

Schrein found a listing off of the popular site, Zillow.

“The so-called homeowner came here, was able to get into the realty box, even get the key out … and then welcomed my family into the home showed us around. We were all so excited,” she said.

Schrein forked over a $2,300 deposit, and it appeared to be ‘home sweet home’ for Stephanie and her two daughters.

She shared pictures of the family moved in for about a week.

Until they got a knock on their door from the real homeowner.

“A gentleman came and asked why we were in this home, and that it didn’t belong to us to be in,” said Schrein. She quickly realized the entire deal was all a scam.

“It’s heartbreaking, how heartless people can really be,” she said with tears coming down her face.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating this case.

According to the family, the suspect is going by the name “Greg Valdez.”

If you have any information that could help investigators, you’re asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 719-583-6125.