There seems to be a surge of cons invading the Greater Lansing area lately with properties that are listed for sale by Realtors on Craigslist, being snatched up and re-advertised for rent by people overseas.

The Rent Scammers are attempting to get potential renters to make a deposit prior to even getting keys to see the property. Believe it or not, some people are falling for this con game. I recently had two of my listings that were being advertised, copied and offered for rent, including the pictures.  Those who were suspicious of the London accent, poor email vocabulary, and idea of sending money were questionable enough to contact me directly after checking Google. The scumbag con artist is even using my name and setting up a fake email account to communicate with the potential victims.

Although Craigslist was very prompt in pulling the ads after we have reported, I must have received a dozen calls from people who were questioning the rent of $800.00, being so cheap for a home that was priced at $214,000.00. Craigslist also put warnings out to the public that have been displayed at the top of rental ads. What more could they do, you may ask? Craigslist is one of the most popular portals generating 20 billion page views per month by over 50 million people just in the USA. That's why Realtors like myself advertise and syndicate our listings to them.

The Craigslist Forum has also issued warnings for sometime on this old scam that has been taking place around the country for the past 2-3 years. Below you will find a list to think back on, if you plan to use Craigslist in the future, which I would highly recommend you do use, however, with the some caution as anything else on the Internet.

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions; provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

I know the people that I had an opportunity to talk with on the phone about this rental scam felt somewhat victimized and threatened by this incident as well as myself. It gives you a sick feeling to think that somebody is using your identity to con others and take advantage of people. I hope the Attorney general, FBI, and other agencies that have been notified and are well aware of these situations, figure out ways to capture them and do justice. Once they do, someone else will come along with another great deal, that's to good to be true. So, buyers beware and get professional help when needed.

"Expect the Best" Mike