Scams

Hey, I have been doing some searching for housing on Craigslist. I know there are alot of scams out there. One of my close friends got trapped into a scam not too long ago. I replied to an ad on there two days ago and the lady responded back and put a link to a credit reporting agency at the bottom for me to go to and fill out. Has anyone else come across this? I have never had anyone ask me to do this up front like she is. Of course, I didn't do and don't plan to...but I just wondered if anyone else has had this asked of them right from the start?

Hey Jennifer!

I haven't heard about anything along those lines, and I have actually been apartment hunting in Atlanta as of the past two weeks. One scam I have heard of is people reposting an existing apartment or housing rental ad with a lower price. These ads usually come with a story about the owner needing to leave the state/county/country for business or family issues, and wanting someone to take care of the place while he or she is gone. The rent is typically really low, and there's always something unusual about the process of renting the place.

As far as your situation is concerned, I would have some concerns about the credit reporting info the landlord sent you. Sometimes you'll see phishing scams that try to pose as an official form, only to fill them out and realize your personal info has gotten into the wrong hands. I would only trust a direct link to a credit reporting agency, or something that you have to sign in person before having your credit checked. Anything else, stay away. 

So yesterday I repsonded back to the woman who wants me to fill out a credit app and said hey listen,  I need more information about the house before I do anything. I asked alot of questions...like wha about pets? is short term ok? is it furnished? etc....So she responded back to me and said that she doesnt feel comfortable giving me that information because she doesn't know if I am a serious renter....and that I should fill out the credit app and then we can talk. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! So this must be a scam. She wouldnt even tell me the specific area that the home is in. It is ridiculous. I emailed her back and said Thanks lady, but no thanks. We will see if I have any more trouble. Seems like you really have to be paying close attention and watch out!!!!

Definite scam...your should report her to the Craigslist admin...maybe they can remove all of her posts.

Yes, I have seen similar scams when using Craigslist.  It amazes me how these people are able to get away with this!  I recently responded to a housing post, had the real owner repsond with information, then the next day I get a VERY SHADY email from someoneelse  claiming that it was there property, and they had to leave the country...and so on (same scenario that Luke just described).  Of course they also asked me to fill out a form...NO WAY!
I have sold several items on Craigslist recently too and I get more and more wierd responses from what look like scams (this used to never happen).  I dread the day when scammers take over Craigslist to the point where it isn't safe to use anymore...I would hate to loose a site like that!

Scams like that are the number one reason I let the companies handle the housing. I always as that they let me know where they house travelers, BEFORE they submit any lease info. Then I go to apartmentratings.com to check out the complex. If it isn't up to par I check legitimate sites like apartments.com or rent.com to find alternate housing, then make suggestions to the company.

Use the apartmentratings.com website to get the 411 from the horses mouth (previous/current residents).

I pretty much avoid craigslist due to all of the scams on there.

I've had great success using craigslist to find housing for my past two assignments in northern California, and I will continue to use craigslist unless I buy an RV. I also rented out my house in the midwest using craigslist and found a fantastic renter. My advice is to be aware of any ad that looks suspicious. Talk to the landlord and if they are not willing to provide info on the place, close out the conversation and move on. There are good options on craigslist; it's like going to a thrift store, you just have to filter through everything to find the treasure.