Colorado Springs Real Estate and Craigslist - Beware Renters!
Colorado Springs Real Estate and Craigslist - Beware Renters! Below is a blog written by Mike Nastri of TN, but is applicable across the nation. Please be aware of scam artists. Do not complete a rental application without verifying that the property is actually being rented. The only way you can confirm this is to visually inspect the property. Today, scam artist are "stealing" listings and advertising them as rentals on Craigslist. It has happened to me recently. Fortunately, the potential renter drove by the house and saw the sign in the yard and called me to alert me of the scam. I was able to flag/report the scam within Craigslist, but it is nearly impossible for real estate agents to prevent this from happening. Unfortunately, it is a very hot rental market for Colorado Springs and Craigslist is probably the best resource for finding a rental. Just be very careful!
Nancy Murray
Murray Knoll Partners
With Keller Williams Clients’ Choice
Colorado Springs, CO
Direct: 719-964-4810
Scammers Strike Again
I post this a while back and lately it seems to be epidemic around here and nationally. My reason for reposting my own blog is that I received a call today. I person told me, "I read your blog, but it was too late, I already filled out the Credit Report form and gave them my Credit Card information. What do I do now?"
I really had no idea what to tell him he should do. I told him call the credit card company and tell them your story to see what they advise. Whether it is to put it on hold, or cancel and reissue his card.
Additionally though they have his social security number. Any suggestions about what to do abut that?
As we experience more and more technological
advances there will be schemers who are
determined to cheat and steal hard earned
money from the honest folks we service. It is for these honest folks that I am posting this warning.
Beware, if something appears to good to be true, then most likely it is.
A customer who logged into my website sent me two links and a question. One of the links was to a listing she found on my website, the other was to the same property posted on Craig's List for rent.
Her question went like this:
Message: Hi there - can you confirm that this property for sale is also this one posted on craigs list for rent? here is the post. We are just confirming the accuracy of the posting before we rent.
It was late in the evening when her lead came in so I sent her a note with the listing and told her I would call the listing agent in the morning to inquire about the rental.
In the morning I looked up the Craig's List post and saw a ridiculously low rent amount and a very low security deposit request. I called the agent with the listing in front of me and asked, "Is this for rent and is this the correct amount". The listing agent explained, it is a SCAM.
She explained how it works: the scammers find a listing, swipe the photos and post it as a Craig's List rental at a very low rate and modest security deposit. Naturally it attracts a lot of interest and after a couple of emails they send you a very convincing letter and this link:
If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. We use this company for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the free credit report. The actual scores on the report aren't important to us; it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure you are who you say you are.Get your report here: http://mycreditnow.net/freecreditreport
I removed the link but it goes to a very official looking website with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all prominently displayed. After filling out a registration form and a click to submit it another form asking for, yep, you guessed it, your credit card info and the trap is set.
I have also heard of a variation on this where you mail your security deposit (cashiers check), most often out of the country, to hold this great deal of a rental property. Needless to say that is money you will never see again.
So please people, if you take nothing else away from this remember, if it appears too good to be true, it most likely is.
Visit Mike's Website --> Home Franklin Brentwood Nashville Maps
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Franklin TN - Home Search - Area and Market Report Index
Brentwood TN - Home Search - Area and Market Report Index
The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Mike Nastri Keller Williams Realty - Franklin, TN neither Mike Nastri or the Keller Williams Realty Franklin office, which is independently owned and operated are responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.
Links to Mike Nastri past Real Estate blogs, Listings, or Market Reports.Contact Mike for the most recent listings and market information.
Blogged Listings, Market Reports, Opinions, Community News and Events
Mike Nastri Keller Williams Realty
9175 Carothers Pkwy Franklin, TN 37067
615.294.3912 MNastri@KW.com
Comments(4)