If It Sounds Too Good To Be True…..

… It usually is.

A few years ago, I had a table to sell. I posted it on Craigslist and got 3 offers to purchase. All of them were from out of state buyers wishing to send certified checks. All of them were willing to pay my full price, and then some. I never responded to a single one of them. I took the listing down shortly thereafter.

A few months later, at Christmas time, I was trying to find a specific toy for my daughter. Again, I went to Craigslist. I found the toy I was looking for, this time in Austin, TX. When I asked some specific questions, I was told that it was just what I was looking for, and that if I would send money orders, they would pay the shipping. I never contacted the seller again.

Craigslist is one of those magical sites on the Internet that attracts all kinds of folks, and certainly its fair share of scam artists as well. But when it comes to a $10 toy from Texas, the risks are low. But when dealing with real estate through Craigslist, it can be dangerous.

Let me state for the record that I am not saying all Craigslist posts are scams. Far from it. I had a transaction close last month with a buyer client on a property we found through Craigslist. It could possibly have been the smoothest transaction I have ever had.

I got an e-mail from a colleague this evening telling me a story of one of her listings, and I wanted to get the word out that this is happening in Charlottesville just as it is everywhere else I am sure. The story goes like this.

One of our agents listed a property for sale. It hit the MLS with photos and information, including the agents name and phone number. A few days after the listing hit the MLS, a similar listing appeared on Craigslist under Charlottesville Real Estate for Rent. The listing used our agent’s name, as well as her photos of the home, and information on the home. The only difference was that the house was now for rent for $700 a month. Many people sent e-mails to the fake Craigslist account, and then knocked on the owners’ door to get more info. Unfortunately (for showing it on this blog post) the listing was removed after only one day. But, one very kind person even sent us the e-mail the Scammer sent back after she asked for more information.

First the honest renter’s e-mail to the scammer through the Craigslist entry system:

On 6/6/09, Axxxx. Mxxx <[email protected]> wrote:

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY —- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Hello,

I am a first year resident at UVA and saw your ad on craigs list. Could you please give me some more information about the place you have advertised? I am very interested. When would you want the place rented out by?

I can be reached via email or also by phone. 301-555-3424.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Axxx

And, the Scammer’s reply:

From: Martha Campbell <[email protected]>
Date: June 7, 2009 8:26:19 AM EDT
To: “Axxxx. Mxxxxx” <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: $700 / 3br – house for rent (CHARLOTTESVILLE)

Hello,
Thanks for your interest in the rent i am very happy that you contact me, The 3br – HOUSE! which the address is 400 ROBERTSON AVE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA we were still in the state but right now, i and my family are both in west africa , it was due to my transfer that made me and my family to leave the house, we are x ray weldders under nigerdock plc and we try to get an agent that we can give this documents before we left but couldnt find any trust and responsible agent and we are as well as don’t want our house to be used anyhow in our absent that is why we took it along with us. All we want is to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own. Now my house is still available for rent for $700 including public services such as , washer and security is furnished etc.
So if you are still intrested i want you to get back to me with the information below

RENT APPLICATION FORM
Also,Pls let me get this answer.
1)Your Full Name?
2)Your Full Address?
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)Phone Number?

so that we can proceed about the rent and sending you the document and keys to the house

Best Wishes,
Martha Campbell

I think what amazed me is that the Scammer is pulling names from the listings, creating fake gmail accounts and collecting information on the folks who attempt to rent from them. I have not changed any of the e-mail above except the e-mail address for the honest person who told our agent Martha about this.

When you read this, it is pretty clear this guy or girl is not legitimate, but it is still good to be aware of the scam. People were driving by the listing all day yesterday asking the owners about the rent. Our agent got a call about the house being for rent.

It is clear that shoppers are using Craigslist. What is also clear is that you need to be vigilant in your due diligence when responding to Craigslist ads.