LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Imagine the surprise when you turn the key to a house you own, and it doesn't open.
"Yeah our keys didn't work, so they actually changed the locks," said homeowner Tina McClain-Patton.
Last week, McClain-Patton discovered someone had moved into her property on Emma Katherine Lane --- a home that was not up for rent. She said a property company had changed the locks and rented it out to tenants.
"They had given her a lease. She said they had charged her $825 to move in as a deposit and $825 first month rent. She had just moved on Sunday. She was really upset because that was all the money she had. She had spent money to get a U-Haul to move to the property, so she was really surprised," said McClain-Patton.
The renter is now trying to get her money back, and McClain-Patton is trying to get answers from that property company.
"I did not file an emergency eviction because it is not the young lady's fault or her son's fault, but I did file a criminal complaint against [the property company] for taking over property and taking over property to make money off of that they don't, and breaking my locks and again there is a window back there broken, and a missing refrigerator as well," said McClain-Patton.
McClain-Patton hopes sharing her experience will be a warning for renters and property owners.
"It’s very bold, you know makes me wonder if there's other victims out there who have done this before," said McClain-Patton. "I would just be really careful. Check out who you are going to rent from and make sure they actually own the house before you pay an application fee, or you pay your deposit or your first month rent."