Be Sure Scammers Don't "Rent" It First
Planning to sell your home soon?
If so, keep an eye on Craigslist.com after you (or your realtor) place an ad in the local paper or post information on the Internet's Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Otherwise, your property may become the "bait" that lures unwitting victims into forking over hundreds or thousands of dollars to scammers.
In a number of recent cases, scammers have taken information from real estate ads placed in local newspapers -- and also scanned photos of the houses for sale -- and posted classified ads on Craigslist.com that have convinced potential renters that THEY (the scammers) were renting these houses.
In some instances, scammers wanted just a little money from a LOT of people. They exchanged emails with victims, claiming they (the fake landlords) were outside the country. Then, they asked the victims to send small sums to receive copies of the house keys, so the victims can walk through the premises themselves.
In other cases, scammers actually gained access to vacant houses, gave tours to the prospective renters, and accepted deposits for renting the properties.
Craigslist.com, the world's largest online classified ad service, offers the following advice to people visiting them:
- "Deal locally with folks you can meet in person.
- "Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram or any other wire service -- anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.
- "Fake cashier checks and money orders are common, and banks will cash them and then hold you responsible when the fake is discovered weeks later.
- "Craigslist is not involved in any transaction, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer 'buyer protection' or 'seller certification.'"
