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Craigslist Rental Scam Complaint Reported to Police on Madeline Island

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Madeline Island Realty 50317-90

Craigslist Rental Scam Complaint Reported to Police on Madeline Island

 

In our Madeline Island Real Estate Blog, we've tried to warn readers about the perils of using Craigslist to advertise properties for sale or for rent. And we also routinely warn consumers about the lack of safety or consumer protection when responding to Craigslist real estate ads.

 

Now, it appears the La Pointe (Wisconsin) Police Department has posted a warning on Facebook about a rental scam on Craigslist which targets people searching for a place to rent on Madeline Island.  [see below]

Screenshot of La Pointe WI Police Department Warning about Craigslist Rental Scam targeting potential renters on Madeline Island

 

The warning from the La Pointe police department states that a Craigslist ad is attempting to rent a property on Madeline Island which is currently for sale. According to police, the folks who placed this ad are not  the owners of that property.

 

Curiously, we still see local real estate agents in the Madeline Island and Bayfield Wisconsin area who use Craigslist to post their listings for sale. After all the problems that consumers have experienced with that website, you'd think a real estate brokerage would get the message that advertising on Craigslist is not a wise marketing strategy.

 

To our readers who happen to own or vacation on Madeline Island, we ask that you spread the word and help someone who is attempting to rent a place avoid a lot of misery. I know it's tempting for a real estate agent or broker to place "free advertising" on a site like Craigslist, but the risk isn't worth it.

 

And if you know someone in the Aposle Islands area whose property listed for sale is currently being advertised on Craigslist, you'd be doing them a favor to advise them to speak with their listing agent about advertising their property somewhere else.

Comments (7)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Eric -- good for you for getting out the word - whether fair or not, some CL advertisers are not always who they seem to be.  The Chief is correct and everyone should be mindful -- if it's too good to be true....

Apr 13, 2016 07:37 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Eric... I'm astonished that this scam which began at least 6 or 7 years ago still continues and that people still continue to fall for it. Good of you to get the word out.

Apr 13, 2016 07:46 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Our area was hit hard with this scam during the oil boom but it did not take long for word to get out and it passed quickly Eric Kodner 

Apr 13, 2016 10:12 AM
Christine Lussa
RealtyLogic - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida Real Estate 239-210-8256

This is something that happens all too often here.   Especially targeting vacationers, who sadly show up with family in tow to enjoy a beach vacation only to find the home they "rented" is otherwise occupied.  I always warn people who are looking for rental property to be weary of Craigslist and if it seems to good to be true, it very likely is.

Apr 14, 2016 12:31 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Craigslist is just a place you should not be looking for a rental, too many scams!  

Apr 14, 2016 11:14 PM
Barbara Chatterton
The Stark Company Realtors, Madison WI - Madison, WI
Greater Madison Wisconsin Area Realtor

Sad! And you are more vulnerable in resort areas where there is not year round living. Good alert to put out there!

 

Apr 15, 2016 02:16 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

It is crazy how this crap still goes on and what is even more bazaar, people fall for this stuff all the time.

Apr 15, 2016 02:58 AM