This was posted on a page in our MLS. It was written to warn Realtors that there are some scams on Craigslist.
"There is a rental scam using craigslist that has targeted some properties listed for sale on NorthstarMLS. Property information and photos are taken by criminals from public broker/agent Web sites and then listed as a rental home through a Craigslist classified ad at an unbelievably low rate. The landlord-who had to leave the country and travel to Nigeria-asks that you wire him two months' worth of rent. You arrive at the home on the agreed-upon date, but there's just one small problem-the house is not actually for rent and its owners know nothing about your agreement. This latest scam being perpetrated by Nigerian criminals located halfway around the world has been seen in a number of U.S. states, perhaps in response to the current housing market-with fewer people buying, more people are renting."
The notice was posted in our MLS last week. These kinds of scams have been around for years. I had a listing a couple of years ago where a buyer wanted to wire money into my account to buy a house. He contacted me through the interent, but his scam was not very creative, convincing or interesting.
I advertise on craigslist and occasional buy from it. There are many scams, so be careful. Never go alone to meet a stranger at a house or apartment for any reason. My daughter used Craigslist and we told her that if she did not have someone to go with her she should call one of us right away. She found a wonderful apartment through craigslist but was smart about how she went about it. Taking care to drive by first and then set up an appointment and she never went alone.
Some of the email I get from the advertisements I have on Craigslist gets forwarded to our attorney generals office. As the economy struggles it seems like there are new scams every day. Mortgage fraud as increased instead of decreasing as crooks advertise to distressed home owners that they can help and in the end the home owner ends up homeless.
Craigslist isn't the problem, it is a great service. People are the problem they are not always so great.
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I too have bought many things off of craig’s list. It is a great service, if a bit sketchy at times. I, however, have never thought about using it for real estate. Thats a great idea! Thanks!
Well, this is so scary. I was not aware of this fraud going on that too on Craigslist. Your daughter is lucky to manage a good deal. I think you are right on your suggestions to save ourselves from these fraudulent people.
Craigslist, in most part, is a great service. But they should do better job controlling the scams. There are just too many fake rental properties on craigslist.
WOW. People are crazy. We always need to be careful as Realtors going into any situation. You never know what could happen. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it!
That is sad to know that people not even in this state is playing fraud with craigslist. Please people be safe.