In our local MLS message board, agents are being warned about the latest Craigs List wire fraud scam.
Fraud on Craigs List -- YA DON'T SAY!?!
Instead of using rental ads, real estate agents' listings are now being high-jacked and used as bogus RENTALS by unscrupulous scammers.
The example given is that a $400,000 listing was being re-posted as a rental. Unsuspecting prospective tenants are looking at a ridiculously low monthly rental amount. In this example: $700/month. They are asked to wire first and last months' rent.
If you're wondering if the rental ad is too good to be true, check out this website:
ARE YOU ABLE TO SPOT A RENTAL SCAM??
http://www.pickrent.com/stuff/scamquiz.cfm
As Mom would say: If it sounds too good to be true . . . it probably is!
The website, above, has a quick run down of Yes / No questions that will provide you with an answer in a short time . . . whether or not it sounds like a scam.
I only wish Craigs List would do MORE to guard against this type of thing . . . anything from ISP addresses that don't match up to the LOCAL posting . . . won't be permitted unless the person can identify that they are a LOCAL poster . . .
It's not that hard to do, I don't think. Good old Craigs List . . . keeping the Internet SCAM free (HA HA HA) Oh brother . . .
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