Scams on craigslist.org

Scams on craigslist.org

Craigslist is being abused by certain people, I held an open house recently which someone used the address and put in fake pictures and stated that the house was for rent at an incredible low price. This is a terrible scam where the perpetrator (I will assume that it is a him because of the name Kevin) is after personal information. Not that I have done it but with the information that he asks for his application he has an above average chance of stealing more information and accessing your online banking account (question on pets and occupation have to do with security questions to recover forgotten passwords).

Normally I would not try to scare people with my theories and experiences but, we in the
Real Estate industry are portrayed in a negative way and this is something I can do to let others know we the major of agents and brokers are trying to protect clients and people from scams. If you see rental listing and they reply with an email similar to the one below just run or call a local Real Estate office (we love leaving all our contact information) to verify if it is a scam.

The real point of this post is don't give out personal information no matter how trivial because some evil people will try to use it.

------------------------------------------I left all the typos for the feel of realism-------------------------------

Hello Dear ,

Thanks for your response,I am Kelvin Teeman the owner of the house you are making inquiry of.My Mother and i used to stay in the house not until i left for west Africa for a construction job with Total/elf,(I'm a construction engineer) and my mum now too old to stay on her own is presently in a nursing home.i will be in west Africa for five years so presently my house is available for rent for $2000 per month including the utilities,it is furnished and i don't mind "PETS".Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind and honest man and also i spent a lot on my property,so i will solicit for your absolute maintainance of this house, i'll have a friend come in every now and then to check things up.hope you understand that it is not the rent that is my problem but i want you to keep it tidy at all times,hope we have an understanding

You would have to fill the Rent Application Form below if You Are Ready To Rent The House .

FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM

Also,Pls let me get this answer

1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the house?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)How Long Are You Willing To Rent My House?
10) Your Picture if you Have any

Note:

The House Can Be Rented To You Furnished Or Unfurnished for $2000

I am giving out my House for 5 years and also Pets are allowed in my house.you would be making a deposit for the first month which is $2000 via Western Union Money Transfer.As soon as you the fill the Rent Application Form i will send u details of payment deposit for one month which is $2000 via Western Union Money Transfer and as soon as your payment is confirmed the house keys and Following documents would be sent to you via DHL so I want you to get back to me OK.

Here are the contents of the document.

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2)Paper/Permanent house form(Containing your reference details)
3)The house documentary file.
4)Payment Receipt.
5)Full address and description of the house.

So get back if you are ready to send the first month deposit fee so you can get the keys and house documents hope to hear from you soon .You can call me with +2348067161764

HOUSE DETAILS BELOW

3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

ADDRESS : deleted because I don't need it to be up again

Amenities:

Dishwasher, Dryer, Electric Stove, Freezer/Deep Freeze, Fridge, Microwave, Washer, Washer/Dryer Hookups, Water/Sewer

Parking:

Automatic Garage
Security Alarm/Door

Interior:

Free Internet
Fireplace (wood burning)
Hardwood
Storage Area/Room
Walk-In Closets

You can drive by the house and view the neighbourhood and get back to me with the rental application questions so i can email you the details you need to make the payment so i can send the keys and documents for you to move in.

Thanks

Kelvin