This is the email I got today from an Internet scammer that's apparently been targetting different areas of the U.S. according to other reports. Watch out for them.
"Thank you for your interest in our home for rent.
The property we have that is currently vacant right now is a 2 bedroom 2.0 bath with garage in an excellent neighborhood. The property has a washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the home so there are no smells, stains, or odors. The home is pet friendly with no breed restrictions, we do not charge a fee or require a deposit but if your pet damages the property it is up to you to complete all repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver's license or Photo ID
2. The first months rent
3. Background check for each applicant
4. Rental agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I'll bring it to the showing
You can complete the background check online used Rental Verified: (link)
This is an easy way for me to screen applicants based on prior addresses and job history. If you have a felony or poor rental history, I am flexible and I'll work with you.
This property rents quickly, let me know when you have your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It is in a .pdf, you can print it and bring it to the showing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Thursday morning. "
I got this response today to an inquiry about a property for rent in Houston, Texas. Apparently this scammer has targeted people in other parts as well (California, Michigan, and Florida) based on other reports on here as well.
The rental verified link will send you to a place where you're supposed to pay $30-40 for a background check before you even see the house. NOT. People don't normal require that until you're already applying/purchasing it, not when you're just coming in for a showing. Total scam, and these people have been elsewhere. STAY AWAY.
I was looking to purchase a car on Craigslist and came across a too good to be true deal for this:
Car Top Of The Line.Toyota Camry,,,Covered During - $1708
It is a 2005 Camry (or so it says). I emailed the seller because no number was provided. I received an email back which stated, "
On Sunday, June 22, 2014 12:12 PM, Sarah Parker wrote:
Thank you for contacting me about my 2005 Toyota Camry that I have for sale. The car is in great shape (73k miles, automatic transmission and a engine 3.0L V6 PFI DOHC 24V ). I'm the first owner. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident...I do have the title, clear. I am selling it at this final price of $1,687 because my husband died 1 month ago (he had a heart attack) and it brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it asap. I, along with my daughter decided to sell the house and so we moved to my brother in Washington trying to start a new life.
I want to use eBay services for the safety of both of us so if you're interested in purchasing the car just email me with your full name, address including the zip code and phone number, so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.
I look forward to hearing from you"
Of course this seemed suspicious to me, so after initially emailing them back with my info and a sympathetic message, I researched the internet using the given email address and name.
I found very quickly that this person is a scammer. The name Sarah Parker, or some version of it has been used for similar scams using eBay and Craigslist, and I am sure other sites.
Beware this individual in particular (I am sure this is not their real name however) and watch out for this scam.
I used craigs list for my search for a rental property. I came across an ad that offered a house for $700 a month for 2 bed room. It sounded like a great opportunity so I jumped on it. I sent an email and recieved a response. I was skeptical about completing and paying $39.95 for a background check and I had not reviewed the property. After much contemplation I went through with it thinking that it may be procedure. I paid for my background check and sent an email. I never recieved a call or response. Using another email I sent a differnt message and recieved the same generic response prompting me to complete a background check. When I sent the other email I attached a copy of the background check because it gives you the background check in PDF format. I immediately whent to Google and found that this company RENTAL VERIFIED is a SCAM. I immediately called the bank and they cancelled my card. I should have known better, now I am warning everyone else. DO NOT use Rental Verified or Tenant Verified.
I used to use Craigslist.com to post ads and try to find items to purchase.
Scams and fraud is all I have been running into. Also I post ads and Craigslist or someone takes them down. I pay for ads, they come down, I place free ads, they come down. Why would anyone use such a CRAPPY site.
I hope I have helped someone save time and money by leaving craigslist.
I was logged on Craigslist, just looking around the site willy nilly. And i stumble upon an ad titled "Make Money Fast" so i clicked on the ad, read through it, and contacted the person who wrote the ad. It was a black woman, or at least that what she sounded like, i never met the person this all went down over the internet. She tells me if i send money in she will triple it and send it back. Like if i send 100, i'll get 1000, 200 and i'll get 2000 and so on. So she tells me to go to a store, buy two cards, a vanilla prepaid card, and a vanilla reload card. Spent $150 total on the cards, sent the person the pin numbers on the cards, and that was it......the person never talked to me again, i called many many times, and no answer. I know this was a dumb decision on me, i just tried to help my dad with financial problems, and i gave in. Lost over $100 and i probably won't ever get it back. I filed a police report, and will file a dispute with the vanilla company and see if anything can be resolved. People, never ever give in to this scam, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Craigslist Reviews
This is the email I got today from an Internet scammer that's apparently been targetting different areas of the U.S. according to other reports. Watch out for them.
"Thank you for your interest in our home for rent.
The property we have that is currently vacant right now is a 2 bedroom 2.0 bath with garage in an excellent neighborhood. The property has a washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the home so there are no smells, stains, or odors. The home is pet friendly with no breed restrictions, we do not charge a fee or require a deposit but if your pet damages the property it is up to you to complete all repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver's license or Photo ID
2. The first months rent
3. Background check for each applicant
4. Rental agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I'll bring it to the showing
You can complete the background check online used Rental Verified: (link)
This is an easy way for me to screen applicants based on prior addresses and job history. If you have a felony or poor rental history, I am flexible and I'll work with you.
This property rents quickly, let me know when you have your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It is in a .pdf, you can print it and bring it to the showing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Thursday morning. "
I got this response today to an inquiry about a property for rent in Houston, Texas. Apparently this scammer has targeted people in other parts as well (California, Michigan, and Florida) based on other reports on here as well.
The rental verified link will send you to a place where you're supposed to pay $30-40 for a background check before you even see the house. NOT. People don't normal require that until you're already applying/purchasing it, not when you're just coming in for a showing. Total scam, and these people have been elsewhere. STAY AWAY.
I was looking to purchase a car on Craigslist and came across a too good to be true deal for this:
Car Top Of The Line.Toyota Camry,,,Covered During - $1708
It is a 2005 Camry (or so it says). I emailed the seller because no number was provided. I received an email back which stated, "
On Sunday, June 22, 2014 12:12 PM, Sarah Parker wrote:
Thank you for contacting me about my 2005 Toyota Camry that I have for sale. The car is in great shape (73k miles, automatic transmission and a engine 3.0L V6 PFI DOHC 24V ). I'm the first owner. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident...I do have the title, clear. I am selling it at this final price of $1,687 because my husband died 1 month ago (he had a heart attack) and it brings me bad memories and that's the reason I want to sell it asap. I, along with my daughter decided to sell the house and so we moved to my brother in Washington trying to start a new life.
I want to use eBay services for the safety of both of us so if you're interested in purchasing the car just email me with your full name, address including the zip code and phone number, so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.
I look forward to hearing from you"
Of course this seemed suspicious to me, so after initially emailing them back with my info and a sympathetic message, I researched the internet using the given email address and name.
I found very quickly that this person is a scammer. The name Sarah Parker, or some version of it has been used for similar scams using eBay and Craigslist, and I am sure other sites.
Beware this individual in particular (I am sure this is not their real name however) and watch out for this scam.
I used craigs list for my search for a rental property. I came across an ad that offered a house for $700 a month for 2 bed room. It sounded like a great opportunity so I jumped on it. I sent an email and recieved a response. I was skeptical about completing and paying $39.95 for a background check and I had not reviewed the property. After much contemplation I went through with it thinking that it may be procedure. I paid for my background check and sent an email. I never recieved a call or response. Using another email I sent a differnt message and recieved the same generic response prompting me to complete a background check. When I sent the other email I attached a copy of the background check because it gives you the background check in PDF format. I immediately whent to Google and found that this company RENTAL VERIFIED is a SCAM. I immediately called the bank and they cancelled my card. I should have known better, now I am warning everyone else. DO NOT use Rental Verified or Tenant Verified.
I used to use Craigslist.com to post ads and try to find items to purchase.
Scams and fraud is all I have been running into. Also I post ads and Craigslist or someone takes them down. I pay for ads, they come down, I place free ads, they come down. Why would anyone use such a CRAPPY site.
I hope I have helped someone save time and money by leaving craigslist.
I was logged on Craigslist, just looking around the site willy nilly. And i stumble upon an ad titled "Make Money Fast" so i clicked on the ad, read through it, and contacted the person who wrote the ad. It was a black woman, or at least that what she sounded like, i never met the person this all went down over the internet. She tells me if i send money in she will triple it and send it back. Like if i send 100, i'll get 1000, 200 and i'll get 2000 and so on. So she tells me to go to a store, buy two cards, a vanilla prepaid card, and a vanilla reload card. Spent $150 total on the cards, sent the person the pin numbers on the cards, and that was it......the person never talked to me again, i called many many times, and no answer. I know this was a dumb decision on me, i just tried to help my dad with financial problems, and i gave in. Lost over $100 and i probably won't ever get it back. I filed a police report, and will file a dispute with the vanilla company and see if anything can be resolved. People, never ever give in to this scam, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.