Sellers or renters of big ticket items are often targeted by this kind of fraud. The goal is to get the target to send legitimate money via a money transfer service like Western Union before they realize that the check they have been sent is worthless. In the case of rental real estate, this could amount to thousands of dollars gone. Not only are you out your own money, most banks will hold you responsible for the bounced check, which means even more money out of your pocket.