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Craigslist scams

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams Realty

I received a few phone calls and emails from several folks over the weekend.  The responses varied from concerned to outright excited about a posting they had found on Craigslist.  It seems there was a great home in Kent listed for rent at the low low price of $1,200.00 per month.  The poster of this advertisement claimed they were on a religious mission in Africa right now and were hoping to lease their home out via the Internet.

Now some people might be a bit suspicious, but only $1200 a month for a great home in a great location right next to lake Meridian?  What a deal!  NOT!

The people that contacted me over the weekend were smart enough to do a google search of the address and find that it was actually one of my listings for sale.  Some were calling and emailing me in hopes that the scam was true, others to warn me of the posting.

Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do about it but ask you to flag the post and get it pulled off the site.

If you'd be so kind as to follow the link I'd really appreciate your help.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/1150699773.html

If you have a better solution to the problem I'd love to hear it.

Posted by

Brett Tousley

Realtor/Designated Broker

NW Home Brokers LLC

509-420-0013

www.TriCitiesLiving.com

 

 

 

Comments(8)

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Celina Gleason
AgentOwned Realty - Manning, SC

Where do these people find the time to do this junk?  I will gladly flag the post for you.  Hopefully, this will be the last time this happens to you (but unfortunately, it probably won't be).  Best of luck.

 

May 05, 2009 07:52 AM
Jackie DeLong
Connect realty.com - Bellingham, WA

Hi Brett,

I had a check for $7600.00 from a person in Nigeria who could barely print.  I had my rental house advertised for sale on Craig's list and had many responses of that nature.  I was suppose to send them the money to come here and they would re-impurse me at their arrival.  The check was certified and of course, a fake .   Beware of scams!!

 

May 05, 2009 07:59 AM
BLR Guy
BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc) - Saint Pete Beach, FL

We had the same thing happen to us..it it just stinks....scam artists will always find an angle!

May 05, 2009 08:38 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I went and hit prohibited on Craigslist.  There is no Fraud Flag.

May 06, 2009 04:07 AM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Brett - these scams are really funny and really stupid!   I've gotten quite a chuckle from m of them. 

Why would intelligent people continue to do this ... must get some sort of response or they wouldn't!  DUH!

 

May 07, 2009 02:00 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Brett... unfortunately this scam has reared it's ugly head especially in Pierce and South King counties. I've talked to a few agents that this same thing has happened to... I'll be sure to chime in on the complaint to Craigslist... I'll email you an agent's info that had this happen on a few rentals...

Best...

Rene'

May 16, 2009 06:15 AM
Brett Tousley
Keller Williams Realty - Richland, WA
Tri Cities Real Estate | (509) 420-0013

Thanks for the help, I was able to get it pulled after a few days. 

I actually just received a weird email from one of my clients recommending an electronics site.  She followed up that email shortly after with another apologizing.   Someone had hacked her address book and sent out emails to everyone.

It's certainly annoying dealing with these scams.

May 19, 2009 02:47 PM
Billie Hillier
http://702IsHome.com - North Las Vegas, NV
Savvy Home Realty Solutions

Someone found my house, created an ad and tried to rent it for $1,300 and the woman wired the money! The email is so obvious I can't believe people are falling for this scam!

May 20, 2009 05:29 AM