This is the second time I have heard of this scenario, and the details are identical! Be aware that this has happened in Mississippi, so we should all be careful.

Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Associates

Via Mike Jones:

The Today Show for September 9th featured a Craigslist listing for a rental.  The price was well below what comparable neighborhood rentals would go for, and the photos showed a beautiful home, both inside and out.  The adress and photos are accurate.

The problem?  Although this home is listed with a Real Estate Brokerage, it is not for rent.  The photos were picked up off the MLS listing to create the Craigslist rental listing.  When prospective renters responded, the scammer emailed back, explaining that he was in Nigeria on mission work, and that if the respondent would send a check for $1,200. he would send the keys.

While the internet provides wonderful tools for REALTOR success, it also provides scammers with new opportunities.  Google your own listings; see what's out there.

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Think of me as your local expert.

Written and Published by Pat Starnes REALTORPat Starnes

Pat Starnes, a Realtor since 1988, specializes in Mississippi Residential Real Estate and can assist you with buying or selling in the Jackson MS Metro area. 

Areas of service: Brandon, Pearl, Ridgeland, and the Ross Barnett Reservoir area

Search all available homes in the Jackson MS MLS

Pat Starnes, Broker; Pat Starnes Real Estate, 300 Castlewoods Blvd., Brandon, MS 39047; 601-278-4513 - Cell

 

8 Comments on Who's Scamming Your Listing? Find Out By Googling Your Own Listings.

SEP
30
2008

We have heard the same thing in our area but they are even more brazen.  They meet and act like the agent!!!

 
3:38pm • #1
286,781 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

can people really be this stupid? to go to be true, yep!
3:45pm • #2

Thanks for the heads up!  Vacation rentals are prevalent in our area, so I'll be sure to keep my eyes open.
3:45pm • #3
569,544 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Pat,  Isn't it amazing how aggressive these scammers are ?  And why is it that we have all become so complacent about these scams.  We just laugh at them or ignore them or post about them.  Is there no enforcement possible ?
4:30pm • #4
340,957 Points 5 Featured Posts

Scams are scary! They're getting more sophisticated every day. Check out a video called 'Scam Speak' from my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag0b9RF5Tao This video describes some of the language commonly used by scammers which might help you spot them!
8:22pm • #5
OCT
01
2008
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bill: The case I heard about (here) was an old CraigsList rental listing BEFORE it was turned over to a local Realtor. Thankfully the potential tenant did not send money, but it could easily have happened. What would a person do if a victim of this kind of scam? 

Dianne: With vacation rentals, I think it would behoove you to keep a sharp eye out for this. Thanks for everyone's comments. Just one more thing for us to be aware of.     Pat
9:45am • #6
OCT
04
2008
143,684 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Pat - this is down right naughty! I've found other local real estate agents using my listings on Craig's list. I was a bit surprised and discussed this with my broker. We made a little call and assured him that he probably should make a phone call to the actual listing agent, as the information can always change and if he is not representing an accurate list price it could get ugly. Of course not as ugly as someone scamming you for $1200. Yikes!
4:32am • #7
NOV
27
2008

We have also had this happening in Calgary, AB.  The scammers were also using Kijiji to post "rentals" that were actually just stolen photos & details from MLS.  Where the rental market is so competitive here right now, these scammers actually got some people to send a deposit before viewing to hold the place!! Buyer beware!!

 

Carolyn Budreski
Marketing Specialist for Rob Johnstone
11:18am • #8

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Pat Starnes

Brandon, MS

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Pat Starnes Real Estate

Address: 300 Castlewoods Blvd., Brandon, MS, 39047

Office Phone: (601) 278-4513

Cell Phone: (601) 278-4513

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Pat Starnes, Realtor and waterfront specialist in Brandon, MS, writes about activities and housing news of interest surrounding the Jackson metro area.

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