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COLORADO SPRINGS LENDER-GUY THOMAS-WHAT A SCAM

By
Mortgage and Lending with WR Starkey Mortgage

THIS COLORADO SPRINGS LENDER thought he had seen it all. That is until he was talking to a Realtor today who had uncovered a new and albeit creative scam.Nigerian warning

This particular Realtor had been driving by one of his listings when he noticed a family out looking through the windows as if interested in the property. Sensing an opportunity to meet a new customer he stopped to chat. From here things take a turn for the worse.

The wife explained that they had seen this home listed for rent on Craig's list for the unbelievably low sum of $800.00. They had responded to the e-mail address in the ad, sent in an application,(thank God they didn't give any social security numbers), and were waiting to see where they needed to send their deposit and first months rent. The ad, to make things more interesting, had the seller's names listedby the seller's maiden name which is how she took title prior to getting married.

The Realtor, let the folks know that the home was for sale and not for rent. The husband reminded his wife he had told her this was too good to be true. Upon further questioning the Realtor discovered that the e-mail had originated from Nigeria. Where have we seen this before? Apparently, now that all the millions of dollars of inheritance money has been safely moved out of Nigeria (yeah right lol) to safe havens in the U.S., the new tactic is to track new listings and offer them for great rental rates to the unsuspecting.

Fortunately for the couple in our scenario, they had not sent any money or done anything else to compromise their money or identity.

This COLORADO SPRINGS LENDER reiterates the maxim, "if it is too good to be true" it probably is not.

Posted by

Loan on meGUY THOMAS 

SENIOR LOAN OFFICER

LMB# 100018083

WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP  NMSLR#2146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                           

6025 QUEBEC ST  STE. 110

CENTENNIAL, CO  80111

CELL        719-440-0558                                               

OFFICE    720-489-0712   

FAX        866-561-8915    

www.dreamloans4dreamhomes.com

gthomas@wrstarkey.com

 

                                       

www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/index.htm 

Opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the view of WRSM.

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (4)

Irina Riley
American Dream Colorado - Woodland Park, CO
GRI, SFR, CNE, e-PRO, SRES

Wow, the crooks are so creative and one step ahead of the game. People need to be aware of any possibility of scam. You are right: if it sounds too good to be true, it's more likely not. Thank you very much for bringing this in.

Mar 07, 2010 03:24 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Just imagine if all these crooks were to actually spend their time on a honest day's work. The world would be so much better, and they might even get rich legitimately.

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Come join the fun in ActiveRain's Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest.

Mar 08, 2010 01:54 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Guy what a sad world, these days you have to be ever so cautious.  The moral of the story if it seem too good to be true it is. Did I get that saying right? :)

Mar 08, 2010 11:38 PM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Oh I have heard of these scams especially in areas where there is a high amount of foreclosures!

Mar 20, 2010 08:35 AM