I was looking at properties (rental) on craigslist. I came across a great apartment, great looking, good sized, but with a decent price. After contacting the individual via email, they provided a site for background checking within the email, by a blue hyperlink saying, ""link"", the actual web address is rentalverified.com/pricing?i=18653
The site is actually there to steal your credit card information and to withdraw funds from your account. The email itself is duplicated to other victims, and the photos of the apartment were found on a google image search of real estate.
Beware and report the craigslist listing when you see it, flag the listing and report. The site for ""background checking"" does not give you any sort of background check, it's just to take your money. Beware.
The email stated the following:
""Hi (name withheld),
I greatly appreciate your reply and showing interest in my property. My property includes a family friendly floorplan and 2 bedrooms 2.0 baths.
It is open for rent with a lease agreement. I'll bring the lease agreement with me to the tour.
The property leases very fast. It is in a great neighborhood. I require a background checks from all applicants.
Background checks can be completed online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an affordable option for me to screen potential tenants on previous tenant history and employment information. If you have a criminal record or less than perfect tenant history, I will be flexible with you.
To lease our property we require the following:
1. First months rent
2. Lease Agreement (month to month, 6 months, or 12 months)
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Valid Driver's License or Picture ID
This property accepts pets, yet has not had any pets in the past. It does not have stains or odors. We do not have any breed restrictions and we do not charge a fee or require a deposit.
If your pet does damage to the property, it's your responsibility to make all the needed repairs.
Once you've completed your background check and are ready to setup a tour, contact me. It is in a .pdf file and you can print it and bring to the showing or email it to me.
I'll be available tomorrow if you would like to know more. What's the best number to contact you on?
Thank you again for your interest, I hope to speak with you soon (name withheld).
I received an email in response to my inquiry about an apartment in Marietta, GA. Here's the email. The scam looks the same, word for word:
"We appreciate your interest in our property for rent.
The home we have available for rent right now is a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath with garage in a high demand neighborhood. The rental has a full size washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the property so there are no smells, stains or odors. The property is pet friendly with no breed restrictions, we do not charge a fee or require a deposit but if your pet damages the property you are responsible for repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver's License or Photo ID
2. The 1st months rent
3. Background check for each applicant
4. Lease Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring it to the viewing
You can complete the b ackground check online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an easy way for me to screen applicants based on previous addresses and employment information. If you have a criminal record or bad tenant history, I am flexible and I will work with you.
This property rents quickly, let me know when you've completed your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It's in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Friday morning."
I clicked on the link and was immediately disgruntled by the fact that I would have to pay $39.95 to get a background check of myself. That's a red flag. Then I called the Toll Free phone number found in the "Support" section and all I got was a busy signal. Another red flag. Do not give them your credit card information!
I was emailed by Sarah stating that she has an available 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment. I should've known it was too good to be true however, because I was going through a tough situation, I guess I overlooked the obvious and fed into the lies.
Anyhow, she sent me a link to Rental Verified so that I can run my own background check and bring to the viewing of the apartment. So without thinking, I did just that. When I completed the check, I emailed her to set up time of the viewing and I have yet to receive any type of response. This is truly sad but luckily I was able to find an apartment that actually suits me better.
Anyways, I hate that I didn't think clearly when I received her email and reacted carelessly on it . I also hate that there are people like this allowed to walk this earth who have absolutely no concern of other people and how hard we work for every dime especially in these days. I believe Karma will come back around. Hopefully I'll be able to get my money back. If not, this definetly is a lesson learned and that no one else falls for this BS.
Upon answering an ad on Craigslist, I received this in answer:
Thank you for your interest in our home for rent.
The home we have available for rent right now is a 1 bedroom 1.0 bath with garage in a high demand area. The rental has a washing machine 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 you are responsible for repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver?s License or Photo ID
2. The 1st months rent
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Rental Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring it to the viewing
You can complete the background check online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an affordable way for me to screen applicants based on previous addresses and job history. If you have a felony or poor tenant history, I'm flexible and I will work with you.
This property rents quickly, contact me when you have your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It's in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Friday morning.
Brooklyn
the link brings you to rentalverified.com
a bogus site and asks you to choose how to pay for your transaction, but first you must sign up for an account....
You have the little lock shown there, so you think.....ooooohhh, a lock means secure, well this is my simple poor judgement, but I thought who really wants to scam my background check???
Someone is placing apartment/condo ads on Craigslist all across the the US.
After searching for Rental Verified I saw this has been going on for months and months now.
It may be that scammers are using RentalVerified & VerifiedRental affiliate programs to take a cut of the background check fee they charge to people trying to rent.
Interior pictures were included in the Craigslist ad as well as a map of an area of Houston, but no address is given.
The link in the email sends you to rentalverified.com so you can pay for the background check you're supposed to complete before meeting or viewing the rental property.
Here is the e-mail my daughter received after responding to a rental ad on Craigslist in Houston, TX.
Hxxxxx,
Thank you for your interest in our property for rent.
The property we have available for rent right now is a 1 bedroom 1.0 bath with garage in an amazing area. The rental has a washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the property so there are no smells, stains or odors. The property 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 1st months rent
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Rental Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring this to the viewing
You can complete the background check online using Rental Verified: link http://redirect442.com/n9650400
This is an affordable way for me to screen applicants based on previous rental history and employment information. If you have a felony or poor tenant history, I am flexible and I will help you out.
This property rents quickly, contact me when you've completed your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It is in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Sunday morning.
Maya
Listing on Craigslist http://houston.craigslist.org/apa/4078704068.html
- $650 / 1br - 950ft² - *Lease this stunning 1 bed 1 bath place* (Houston)
Accommodating floor plan design and laundry room with washer and dryer included in this big 1 bedroom 1 bathroom home.
*Air conditioner
*Parking also open off-street
*Additional storage space
*Wine rack
*Vinyl and tile flooring
*Remodeled kitchen with new appliances
cats are OK - purrr
dogs are OK - wooof
Location: Houston
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Rentalverified.com Reviews
I was looking at properties (rental) on craigslist. I came across a great apartment, great looking, good sized, but with a decent price. After contacting the individual via email, they provided a site for background checking within the email, by a blue hyperlink saying, ""link"", the actual web address is rentalverified.com/pricing?i=18653
The site is actually there to steal your credit card information and to withdraw funds from your account. The email itself is duplicated to other victims, and the photos of the apartment were found on a google image search of real estate.
Beware and report the craigslist listing when you see it, flag the listing and report. The site for ""background checking"" does not give you any sort of background check, it's just to take your money. Beware.
The email stated the following:
""Hi (name withheld),
I greatly appreciate your reply and showing interest in my property. My property includes a family friendly floorplan and 2 bedrooms 2.0 baths.
It is open for rent with a lease agreement. I'll bring the lease agreement with me to the tour.
The property leases very fast. It is in a great neighborhood. I require a background checks from all applicants.
Background checks can be completed online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an affordable option for me to screen potential tenants on previous tenant history and employment information. If you have a criminal record or less than perfect tenant history, I will be flexible with you.
To lease our property we require the following:
1. First months rent
2. Lease Agreement (month to month, 6 months, or 12 months)
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Valid Driver's License or Picture ID
This property accepts pets, yet has not had any pets in the past. It does not have stains or odors. We do not have any breed restrictions and we do not charge a fee or require a deposit.
If your pet does damage to the property, it's your responsibility to make all the needed repairs.
Once you've completed your background check and are ready to setup a tour, contact me. It is in a .pdf file and you can print it and bring to the showing or email it to me.
I'll be available tomorrow if you would like to know more. What's the best number to contact you on?
Thank you again for your interest, I hope to speak with you soon (name withheld).
Cheers,
Zoey ""
Beware and report this immediately!
This rental property ad was posted on Craigslist in June 2015:
$500 / 2br - 1175ft - 2 bed 2.5 bath Move in ready in Elizabethton (TN)
Attractive with a kitchen that includes almost new cabinetry and appliances and 2 bed 2.5 baths. Ready at once.
Taking applications and showing the rental property at once. Send emails to samantha2532 @ ahovacants . c0m.
Over sized design
Energy efficient appliances
Spacious accommodations
Full size garage
New sink disposal
DISH Network ready
Near hospitals, schools, and major employers
Cost efficient lights and fixtures
I received an email in response to my inquiry about an apartment in Marietta, GA. Here's the email. The scam looks the same, word for word:
"We appreciate your interest in our property for rent.
The home we have available for rent right now is a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath with garage in a high demand neighborhood. The rental has a full size washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the property so there are no smells, stains or odors. The property is pet friendly with no breed restrictions, we do not charge a fee or require a deposit but if your pet damages the property you are responsible for repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver's License or Photo ID
2. The 1st months rent
3. Background check for each applicant
4. Lease Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring it to the viewing
You can complete the b ackground check online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an easy way for me to screen applicants based on previous addresses and employment information. If you have a criminal record or bad tenant history, I am flexible and I will work with you.
This property rents quickly, let me know when you've completed your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It's in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Friday morning."
I clicked on the link and was immediately disgruntled by the fact that I would have to pay $39.95 to get a background check of myself. That's a red flag. Then I called the Toll Free phone number found in the "Support" section and all I got was a busy signal. Another red flag. Do not give them your credit card information!
Scam
Rental verified is a scam and Craigslist permits this, but they also permit murderers. Cancel your card and have your bank file a fraud report.
I was emailed by Sarah stating that she has an available 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment. I should've known it was too good to be true however, because I was going through a tough situation, I guess I overlooked the obvious and fed into the lies.
Anyhow, she sent me a link to Rental Verified so that I can run my own background check and bring to the viewing of the apartment. So without thinking, I did just that. When I completed the check, I emailed her to set up time of the viewing and I have yet to receive any type of response. This is truly sad but luckily I was able to find an apartment that actually suits me better.
Anyways, I hate that I didn't think clearly when I received her email and reacted carelessly on it . I also hate that there are people like this allowed to walk this earth who have absolutely no concern of other people and how hard we work for every dime especially in these days. I believe Karma will come back around. Hopefully I'll be able to get my money back. If not, this definetly is a lesson learned and that no one else falls for this BS.
Upon answering an ad on Craigslist, I received this in answer:
Thank you for your interest in our home for rent.
The home we have available for rent right now is a 1 bedroom 1.0 bath with garage in a high demand area. The rental has a washing machine 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 you are responsible for repairs.
To rent our property we require the following:
1. A valid Driver?s License or Photo ID
2. The 1st months rent
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Rental Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring it to the viewing
You can complete the background check online using Rental Verified: link.
This is an affordable way for me to screen applicants based on previous addresses and job history. If you have a felony or poor tenant history, I'm flexible and I will work with you.
This property rents quickly, contact me when you have your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It's in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Friday morning.
Brooklyn
the link brings you to rentalverified.com
a bogus site and asks you to choose how to pay for your transaction, but first you must sign up for an account....
You have the little lock shown there, so you think.....ooooohhh, a lock means secure, well this is my simple poor judgement, but I thought who really wants to scam my background check???
Yeah, you get it.
Someone is placing apartment/condo ads on Craigslist all across the the US.
After searching for Rental Verified I saw this has been going on for months and months now.
It may be that scammers are using RentalVerified & VerifiedRental affiliate programs to take a cut of the background check fee they charge to people trying to rent.
Interior pictures were included in the Craigslist ad as well as a map of an area of Houston, but no address is given.
The link in the email sends you to rentalverified.com so you can pay for the background check you're supposed to complete before meeting or viewing the rental property.
Here is the e-mail my daughter received after responding to a rental ad on Craigslist in Houston, TX.
Hxxxxx,
Thank you for your interest in our property for rent.
The property we have available for rent right now is a 1 bedroom 1.0 bath with garage in an amazing area. The rental has a washer and dryer.
There have not been any pets in the property so there are no smells, stains or odors. The property 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 1st months rent
3. Completed background check for each applicant
4. Rental Agreement (month to month, 6 months or 1 year), I will bring this to the viewing
You can complete the background check online using Rental Verified: link http://redirect442.com/n9650400
This is an affordable way for me to screen applicants based on previous rental history and employment information. If you have a felony or poor tenant history, I am flexible and I will help you out.
This property rents quickly, contact me when you've completed your background check and are ready to schedule a viewing. It is in a .pdf, you can print it and bring to the viewing or email it to me.
What's the best contact number for you? Are you available tomorrow?
I will be available tomorrow, Sunday morning.
Maya
Listing on Craigslist http://houston.craigslist.org/apa/4078704068.html
- $650 / 1br - 950ft² - *Lease this stunning 1 bed 1 bath place* (Houston)
Accommodating floor plan design and laundry room with washer and dryer included in this big 1 bedroom 1 bathroom home.
*Air conditioner
*Parking also open off-street
*Additional storage space
*Wine rack
*Vinyl and tile flooring
*Remodeled kitchen with new appliances
cats are OK - purrr
dogs are OK - wooof
Location: Houston
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Posting ID: 4078704068
Posted: 2013-09-19, 7:58PM CDT
Rentalverified.com Craigslist Scam Thousand Oaks, CA
I found an apartment in Thousand Oaks, CA. Everything seemed pretty reasonable. The price was a little low, but not out of the realm of reality.
They used the exact same wording Zoey read, same about the pets, the "I will be flexible" line about felonies.
Really sneaky, good scam.
-Jason