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Fraud on Craigs List . . . ya Don't SAY!?!?

Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

September 22, 2009 11:15 AM

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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John Pusa

Glendale, CA

Hi Carla, thank you for informing us it. However, nowadays it appears that more and more scams I am seeing on the iternet.

Sep 22, 2009 11:27 AM

Marney Kirk

Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD

Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Carla, this has been happening a lot in our area -- it was amazing -- someone actually SENT $$, and were SENT KEYS in return -- they just obviously & clearly didn't fit the house. I couldn't believe people would send $$ without looking at the place in real life and checking it more!

Sep 22, 2009 11:38 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi John . . . I knew about scammer using rentals to fake rental ads . . . but I never heard of them taking the listing and then trying to rent the property out!

Hey Marney -- I have to look up your area. I think now that agents' listings are being used, they'll be some changes made!!

Sep 22, 2009 11:43 AM

Barbara Altieri

Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT

REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Carla -- I use Craigslist all the time. Had not heard about this scam. Thanks for sharing the info.

Sep 22, 2009 12:10 PM

Hey Barbara -- I had one of my rental properties used in a rental scam . . . it's unnerving. Now they are targeting LISTINGS!! Oy vay!!

Sep 22, 2009 12:43 PM

Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Hi Carla, It's a shame but I almost instantly delete craig's list inquires because my last dozen have been bogus.

Sep 22, 2009 01:58 PM

Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate

RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA. - San Leandro, CA

"The Realtors In Motion"

Hey Carla, one of my listings was taken over by a scamer, I possed as a potential tenant and played the part so I could see how it works, I did blog about the experience of having a landlord in Africa, it was rather interesting. Around here in California we have that problem, people are now getting the true picture and are not sending any money.

Antonio

Sep 22, 2009 04:07 PM

Hi Barb -- I delete a lot of the SPAM . . . it's amazing what people are doing

Hey Antonia . . . what a story! I read your blog and it's funny you turned the table. Hilarious.

Sep 22, 2009 05:19 PM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

We haven't used Craig's List for years. The people who are looking for rentals on there are ones we would probably turn down, and the ones looking for sales are looking for really cheap.

Sep 23, 2009 06:45 AM

JL Boney, III

Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC Real Estate

I just can't believe that anyone would do this. I've never heard of anyone trying to scam someone. As long as there is a way to screw others over, there will be people out there that do it.

Sep 23, 2009 07:19 AM

Hi Prest Realty -- good point!!

Hey JL . . . I actually had someone "priate" my rental ad, and re-post it word-for-word using my photos. Now I emboss "Call OWNER at (503) 810-7192" to curtail my photos being used. My local phone number embossed on the photo makes it hard to cut 'n paste. Alert renters contacted me and told me there was another ad, but with really CHEAP monthly rent (my rental was $1250/month, and the bogus was $800). The guy was in Nigeria, said he was a missionary (I can't STAND when they take the Lord in vain), and all he wanted was good people to rent the place -- send him first and last months rent! AND . . . I could do nothing to pull that ad . . . of my property -- because I didn't place it. Craigs List needs to put more safeguards, or get sued for aiding and abetting!!

Sep 23, 2009 10:35 AM

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