Posted by Kary L. Krismer at 3/11/08 6:09 a.m.

I saw that on the NWMLS site (it's been there for some time), but I don't understand what this has to do with listings, other than the fact a listing would be vacant. How do they gain access to the property to show it?

And while you're answering that, perhaps you can answer another question referenced but not answered on the NWMLS site? Are the keyboxes off one hour and if so which way and for how long?

Posted by Mack McCoy at 3/11/08 7:17 a.m.

You wonder about these scams ... "Yes, I have a house for rent. It's that one. Well, no, you can't see it right now ... it's being cleaned! Yes. That's right. It's being cleaned right now. Anyway, that'll be two months for security, one for cleaning ..."

Posted by Marlow Harris at 3/11/08 10:48 a.m.

This just in from the original tipster:

"Yeah...keep an eye out for it. When I've responded to these people in the past they say that they are now overseas doing mission work and need to rent the unit while they are gone. They then try to set up a situation where I send them a check so they can send me the keys to actually go look at the unit. I guess it's worth it to them to get the $40 or $50 they request to actually send the keys. Doesn't really seem worth it to me... "

Weird!

Posted by Siannan at 3/11/08 10:59 a.m.

I actually got the same guy doing mission work in Africa, twice on Craigslist! His first response to me was a big RED FLAG! Basically told him to get bent, but did send an email to Craigslist saying he'd sent a cell # to me, had his name, etc. (all of which I'm sure aren't real, but still) - it really shocked me to find that this is happening, all I'm looking for is a safe rental home for my daughter and I, and I have to deal with this?? C'mon!

Posted by Debra Sinick at 3/11/08 1:34 p.m.

These situations sound very familiar to what my cousin went through when trying to sell some furniture on Craig's List. She had someone contact her immediately wanting to buy her furniture. The buyer told her he would send her a money order for $200. A few days later she received a money order for $2000. When she talked with the buyer, he said his secretary made a mistake and asked that she send him $1800 back. She knew this person was out to lunch, so she never responded.

When she did a little investigating, she found that where a money order is issued makes a big difference in its legitmacy. Apparently, money orders are a lot easier to get or forge than one would think. Bank money orders are supposedly more reliable.

I feel for people who don't figure these schemes out and wonder if this is happening to senior citizens a whole lot. Has anyone heard anything like that?

Posted by Mack McCoy at 3/11/08 2:17 p.m.

Of course, if you were able to deposit the $2000 money order, you'd think that you'd be able to spend the money; if you did spend the money, and the bank found that they couldn't collect on the money order, they'd debit your account - if you'd drawn the account down far enough, it could cause checks to bounce and fees to accumulate.

Posted by Kary L. Krismer at 3/11/08 3:49 p.m.

My mom had someone try to pull a scam like that $2,000 check one once.

Posted by Mack McCoy at 3/12/08 10:15 a.m.

I know it's true, but I can't help wondering - weren't today's old people yesterday's young, hip, aware, and skeptical people?

Posted by Kary L. Krismer at 3/13/08 7:58 a.m.

I'm not sure it's entirely age. The people who fall for it in older life might have fallen for it before. Perhaps it's just that older people often have more money in the bank, and thus are better targets (or targets you're more likely to hear about)?

Posted by Mack McCoy at 3/13/08 10:10 a.m.

Well, we're talking people of about our parents' age, right?

I seem to remember how sharp some parents were, back in high school, when I'd come by to pick up my date:

Me: Hi, Mrs Civette* - I've come to pick up Surnia for the dance tonight.

Mom: Oh, she died.

Me (incredulous): What?!!!

Mom (nonplussed). Yes. She's dead. She can't come to the dance with you tonight. I'm so sorry.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now, Mrs Civette* is at risk at being taken in by some scammer? As if!

Posted by Chuck Cady & Assoc. at 4/2/08 12:44 p.m.

Came across this posting and thought we'd share, as the same scam took place with one of our listings in late February 08.

We had a North Seattle home listed for $385,000 on Craigslist and one morning we started to receive numerous phone calls with regards to our rental posted on craigslist. As we did not have any rentals posted at that time, we asked one of the callers for the address they were calling in regards to and we were able to track the posting down.

The poster had actually copied the photos, marketing remarks, and address from our posting that advertised the home For Sale and pasted them into a new posting advertising it for rent. With a few alterations to the headline and price and the addition of a yahoo email address…the posting looked legit!

Fortunately the individuals who were interested in the property decided to drive by it since the address was included and from there they were able to contact us via the phone number provided on our For Sale sign…had they not contacted us who knows what would have happened.

We flagged the posting and then submitted an urgent email to the abuse email address at craigslist. We got a response from them within an hour and they removed the posting. We also went as far as to fill out a police report in hopes that if enough people do; they will eventually have to pay attention to what's going on!

Craigslist False Posting...

$1200 / 3br - 3br Family House For Rent
________________________________________
Reply to: patrickthomas34@yahoo.com
Date: 2008-02-21, 9:22AM PST

This sweet 1918 Craftsman Farmhouse is situated on a large sunny lot in the desirable Broadview area. Step up onto the classic front porch into the light and bright living room with hardwood floors, broad moldings and brick wood-burning fireplace which add to the old world charm feel. Cute country kitchen offers updated appliances with gas range and eating nook.

Address Here google map yahoo map
• dogs are OK- wooof
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests