This same thing happened to me over the weekend.  Someone hijacked my rental listing complete with photographs and was asking unwitting consumers to send them a money order for $1400 in return for the keys to the house.  They also asked all kinds of personal questions which leads me to believe they have someone here in this country who intended to rob their homes while they were at work.  Beware, if it sounds too good to be true, usually it is. 

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling.  If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy.  The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.

During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's.  If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement.  This is a $350 savings.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent.  Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.

June Piper-Brandon, Broker - Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc.

Via Debe Maxwell Talk Charlotte with Charlotte's Realtor® (Helen Adams Realty):

 A New Form Of Identity Theft--Agents and Consumers BEWARE of Craigslist Scam

Online TheftI post all of my listings on Craigslist from my website, among many other sites.  I began receiving calls about my 'rental' that was on Craigslist.  It was regarding a brand new listing that was posted there and the home was NEVER listed for rent and won't be--it is strictly FOR SALE.  Several callers had seen 'my ad' for $800/month rent with a $400. security deposit and wondered if they could see the home!  They find my number when they drive by the home for sale, grabbing it off of the sign.  



I finally was able to get one of the callers to email me the information that the 'other' Debe Maxwell had sent her and the DebeMaxwell06@gmail.com that was being used for correspondence.  When I check for the ad on Craigslist, it has been removed.  I received another call yesterday and the ad had been removed once again. 



The 'other' Debe Maxwell is reporting that he and his wife have had to leave their home to do mission work and are renting for only $800/month with a $400 security deposit to be sent following a brief lease application that is included in the body of the email.  Here is the scammer's contact information:


Identity burglar"The rent is $800 and 400 for Security Deposit.
For this 3BR/2BA.  Below is my contact,
0112348082008226 or +2348082008226
DebeMaxwell06@gmail.com"

I do NOT have a DebeMaxwell@gmail.com account (with ANY numbers after my name!)--If you respond to an email like this, it is NOT me! Consumers BEWARE!



I'm assuming that this fraudulent scammer is giving a false address and a real but, temporary banking account in which the tenant-not-to-be will transfer the $1,200 funds when the Craigslist customers call.   I don't have the time nor the bandwith to phone this guy and 'catch' him and I'm hoping that the government agency to whom I've reported this DOES!  I have warned my Seller and my agents who hold open houses here as well.  I want every bit of information that the potential tenants can gather for me to report these frauds!

It's a crazy world out there--identity theft is a bear if you're scammed!  BEWARE!

Debe in Charlotte

About the author:

Quality Service CertifiedDebe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood & Relocation Specialist, ABR & e-PRO who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Charlotte NC Metro Area.  If you're relocating to or from any other area of the country, Debe connects you with any member of her team of relocation professionals in your destination or exit city of choice.  The destination service is of no cost to you!  The Maxwell House Group's quality service guarantee puts this team far ahead of the competition; providing unsurpassed customer service is their #1 priority!  Debe Maxwell -- Helen Adams Realty -- 704.491.3310
Copyright© 2009 By Debe Maxwell, All Rights Reserved...**A New Form of Identity Theft--Agents and Consumers BEWARE of Craigslist SCAM!**

Disclaimer:  All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.

If you are thinking of buying or selling an home in  Maryland give me a call at 410-292-0100 or start your search here and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling. If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy. The tax savings and wealth building alone is worth the plunge into todays market.  Century 21 New Millennium is part of the largest nationwide relocation company and can assist with your move here in Maryland or anywhere in the United States or abroad.  Ask me how.

In keeping with saluting our heroes, during 2013 I am waving flat fees for active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's. If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve I will waive the flat fee at settlement. This is a $395 savings. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give me a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent. Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-730-8888 or I can be reached directly at 410-292-0100.

June Piper-Brandon ~ Associate Broker, CDPE, CIAS, ePro 

Century 21 New Millennium - #1 Century 21 in the World 

 
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2 Comments on A New Form Of Identity Theft--Agents AND Consumers BEWARE of Craigslist Scam

APR
06
2009
1,023,236 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Debe - this is actually being discussed on the CL and property management groups...I have been using postlets for my CL rental listing posts; however, the host of my firm's website, HomeRentals.net now has a CL export feature for listings AND my property photos already have a watermark on them...since I have been using the HR export feature for my listings, I have not had a listing hijacked
10:37am • #1
1,142,806 Points 242 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks June, for the re-blog.  This topic needs to be all over the place for all to see as it can cost the consumer alot of money AND put a bad taste in the consumers' mouth for real estate agents--lumping us in this scam!


Debe in Charlotte
12:52pm • #2

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June Piper-Brandon CDPE, CIAS, ePro, Assoc. Broker

Baltimore, MD

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Century 21 New Millenium

Address: 6300 Woodside Court, Columbia, MD, 21046

Office Phone: (410) 730-8888

Cell Phone: (410) 292-0100

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