Comments on: San Antonio Renters Beware: Craigslist Rental Scam Comes To Town

By: Gina@new homes

Gina@new homes — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:14:00 +0000

This is really scary! I pity those who fall for these scams. We should always be careful especially if we’re dealing with anyone on the internet. Be sure not to give any important information like credit card, social security numbers or bank account information.

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:08:41 +0000

Elizabeth – The scam has spread pretty far and wide and I’ve heard about it from Realtors® in just about every part of the country.

If you haven’t released any info (I hope you haven’t) to the scammers, I would just delete that and all future emails. Perhaps report it to your local real estate association and local police, but there’s not much they can do about it other than warn others.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:29:26 +0000

Hi there –
I received an identical email to one that has been posted on this website. I live in Northern Illinois. I was kind of set off by the email and decided to Google to seewhat I could find out. Thanks for these postings. What should I do about the email? Do I email back and just tell them I am no longer interested? I have contacted Caigslist.

Thanks again

By: manuu

manuu — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:09:28 +0000

I also got Rental Scam message

Hello,
I can see you are interested in the ad I have pasted.I am currently in West Africa where I work with the WEST AFRICA NETWORK FOR PEACE.Here is the site for more detail about why I am here in Africa. You can visit this site for more on my mission here I need to make sure it is really being kept clean.So I need a tenant to take care of it as if he or she owns it as I am out of the state now.I have received some proposals regarding the rent because it is located in a very good area but I still have to make sure it is rented out to someone who can take good care of it,and since I won’t be able to see my potential tenant before lease agreement I hope the Lord leads me through. It includes facilities such as water and heat laundry facilities,washer/dryer,air condition,internet and telephone access and a car park and other necessary facilities,also comes with trash collection,pets are allowed as well as long as they are not destructive,so if you know you are capable of the task,get back to me.I spent less time in the States so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in Africa that I decided to rent out the house…. However, the initial plan was to sale out the house. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the price and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this incase if you find the house on another website.

[Details about home removed by site administrator]

RENT QUESTIONNAIRE
1)Your Full Name?
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number?
3)Are you married?
4)How many people will be living in the house?
5)Do you have a pet?
6)Do you have a car?
7)Occupation?
8)how long lease are you looking for?
9)How soon do you intend moving in?
10)Reason for relocating?

In securing and reserving the home prior to your move in date, I will like you to get back to me asap so that the property can be booked if actually you want it.
Awaiting your response.
Stay Blessed!!!
natastel ford

By: dee

dee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:16:09 +0000

i live in the central valley, ca. i just recently replied to an ad on craigslist. drove by the house, found it was gorgeous and was surprised to see the “owner” responded quickly to my email. he told me he was on a missionary in west africa but to fill out the application. like an idiot, i did. thank god i didn’t give them my s.s. or any kind of credit info. i did, however, provide them with my current address and contact info. after i talked it over with my boyfriend, he asked me if i thought it was scam. to be honest, it never crossed my mind. i decided to research it and sure enough, i came across a website with victims across the country. i felt sick to my stomach, now this man has my address, birthday, telephone number, he knows where i work. i filed a complaint with a branch of the FBI (can’t think of it right now) and messaged the “owner” back. I stated I knew he was trying to scam me and I hope he gets caught. His reply “you’re a big fool if you think i am ever going to get caught. how do you think they’re going to track me?”

I think the worst part for me is that I feel like I am getting no support. I have placed several complaints to craigslist. I don’t hold them responsible but I did explain the situation to them. I marked my email 911 and asked them to remove the post to prevent this from happening to anyone else. This was Thursday and today is Sunday, his post is still up.

I found what I think is the REAL listing for this house. The asking price is $200 more than what he posted. I still really want this house but now I am too scared to even ask for any info on it. Its listed on rentals.com and doesn’t give a name to contact but only a 1-800 number.

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:26:20 +0000

Don – This scam has become a nightmare for everyone. A good friend of mine, who is a Realtor® had it done to their house. They couldn’t believe anyone would be that bold. It’s such a shame that this is what craigslist has become.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:20:10 +0000

The same exact scam has hit the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. One unfortunately involving my mother’s house (which is for sale) and my name. We’re still trying to get the ads removed, but Craigslist is not very swift in their actions. Just beware — the scams can strike anywhere.

By: rerockstar

rerockstar — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:25:24 +0000

Rachel – I don’t think these scams are going to go away anytime soon. If you’re looking for an apartment, I would suggest going to an apartment locator. They work in much the same way a real estate agent does, they help locate an apartment, set up all the appointments, and get paid when you rent an apartment (by the apartment complex). If you’re looking to rent a house, most real estate brokerages in San Antonio have a property management division that works with these (their own listings as well as the other listings). I typically don’t do rentals as I prefer to buy and sell homes (it’s what I took all my training for), but there are plenty of agents who do. If you need help locating on, just let me know. Thanks for stopping by the site and updating us on the Craigslist rental scam.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:15:23 +0000

Beware of the same scammer agian in San Antonio. I emailed them back and forth and decided to google and I found this website.

By: Dave Dugdale

Dave Dugdale — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:57:30 +0000

Matt,

I also created a blacklist database that people can check against to see if they are dealing with a scammers:
http://www.pickrent.com/stuff/scammerdatabase.cfm

The database is add to almost daily.

Dave