This was a pretty good scam I uncovered today. I was browsing craigslist for a new place to live this September when I ran across this ad in the housing/apartments section:
Very large and spacious 3 bd 2bthrm with great upgrades Screened lanai gated access community Act now and only need first month to move in
email me at
gabriellaecj@gmail.com
Looks promising. It even included some nice looking pictures. I emailed gabriellaecj@gmail.com simply to ask where the house was. I got this as a response:
Hi,
Thank you for your intrest in our rental property.
It is at the moment still available for occupancy.Here is a copy of our rental application, Print it out.
www.unitedrentalproperties.com/rentalapp.pdf In PDF format
www.unitedrentalproperties.com/RentalApplication.doc In Word formatWe dont do a check on your rental history or a background check but we do require a credit check. In order to rent any of our properties you must have a credit score of 450 or higher. I do make exceptions but you must bring a copy of your report and an explanation.
You can get a copy of your score free below
http://www.unitedrentalproperties.com/freecreditreport.htmlDo not email it to me just bring it with you.
We do not require a security deposit or pet deposit on this property.
Unlike most properties you wont be charged an application fee or credit check fee because you will bring your own.
Renting this property is of my highest concern so if you dont act quickly it may get rented before you.
Hopefully I can walk you through the property either tomorrow or within the next few days appointments will be handled in the manner they were recieved.Regards,
Russell
Okay, he didn’t answer my question, but it still looks legit. The application forms looked normal, but knowing a bit about credit history and credit reports, I thought the “450 minimum score” seemed a bit low. People that file bankruptcy usually have a better score than this. I followed the link to the credit report, and it was simply a redirect to this site:
http://www.nationalcreditreport.com/
He also had is affiliate ID in the URL (1119). This is how the scam works. You fill out all that stuff and do the credit report on the site, and this guy makes 20 bucks from the deal. The house doesn’t even exist.
25 comments ↓
Thanks!
I got the same response while looking for a new place & thought it sounded funny, so I googled the supposed website and this came up.
I told them that since it sounded like a scam, no thanks!
Just as well, he would have been really mad to find out I’ve already got a credit report printout.
There is also one isabel@gmail
Ive encountered both today while looking for apts in Los Angeles area… $775 for a 2bdrm condo was definitely a scam
There was a posting today(July 28th) on Craigslist for a one bedroom apt. in Minneapolis. The price and pictures seemed great, but the posting failed to list the address of the apartment and other important details. I e-mailed the contact: megandji@gmail.com and received a response from david@rentalpropertiesgroup.com. The response e-mail had none of the imformation that I requested. It was a form letter w/ a rental application and a free credit report link. It also mentioned the 450 credit score and I figured it must be in the ghetto to have such loose credit requirements & that was why they didn’t list the address. I was not going to fill out a rental app. w/ such little info. & NO ADDRESS. I looked a few mintues later and the posting was taken off of Craigslist. ha.
The newest listing in craigslist is the one below. But I actually got to talk to a person to cancel the report, but then instead I got it extended free for 60days. I don’t know what’s right or not. I have yet to see the place.
$1100 / 2br - 2 bedroom 2 bath condo recently remodeled (near ucla)
Date: 2009-07-25, 1:55AM PDT
Reply to: hous-dacqg-1287900080@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Fantastic place at a great price.
• We have a spacious 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom condo that was recently remodeled. The condo is 1,050 sq.ft.
• Stainless Appliances (refrigerator, oven, & dish washer)
• Granite Counter Tops
• Hardwood flooring
• Fire place in the living room
• High Ceilings
• Double stacked washed and dryer combo in the condo.
• Central Air and Heat
• Assigned parking space.
Small pets are accepted with a $15 monthly fee per pet.
Rent: $1,100
Deposit: $550
Credit Check Required
same thing in the San Jose, CA area. Exact same ad. SCAM Don’t fall for it or give out any information to the generic rental application
I received the same response! Here is his most recent link for scamming: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/apa/1300063618.html
I completed the application with my personal information, yeah, shame on me once! What should I do? I guess Craigslist lets any pearson advertise. People like this Dave, Russell, and Rental Property Group give relators a very bad name.
I’m so glad my neighbor works with Federal Gov. He’s currently working to track down these people. We need more help from concern citizens. Report them to your better business office. They are currently being watched so it’s just a matter of time.
Thanks fo posting….I was suspicious and came across your blog. If its too good to be true, or they don’t even answer your questions, it’s obviously a scam
We they got me just now, I did the same thing and completed the credit report, the deducted two times, I called was on hold for 1 hour and a half, was told the will give me 60 days free, I will contact BBB and other Federal Gov. as well.
Same scam in Lake Tahoe:
http://reno.craigslist.org/apa/1306009166.html
Asked two simple questions. Didn’t answer either one and just got the credit report/application instructions. AVOID!!
I almost bit, i by chance, checked the website certificate. din’t seem right and closed the fking firefow window.
Same thing, looking for a home to rent and his name was listed under Russell with david in email address.
This kind of bullXXXX should not happen. Somehow Craigslist. needs to get more legimate people renting homes etc. I was scammed out of $500 earlier this year so I have learned a great deal from that.
same thing happening here in worcester MA. I am kinda relieved to hear that it is linked to the guy making money, because for awhile i thought i was hacked? great just what i need to deal with a phone call for 2 hours…. thanks to whomever uncovered and posted this. thank you
Wow I also got sme response thanx .
same thing happend to me but the web site didnt look lagit so i didnt do it im glad i found this b 4 i done it panama city florida
I seen this guy Russell advertise in Olympia area of Washington state…i got the same response as the others print out application follow website. I printed out application but then I realized the ad never said where the apartment was. I sent another e-mail asking where this place was and never heard back from him.
Thanks for the blog I couldv’e been scammed
same here, luckily I already got my credit report from a legit place! I printed out my report and the application all ready to go, emailed back asking which property was this in response to, and I am waiting for a response…but with the way it seems no response is coming…this was for the bay area in california…I have been looking for Both NAPA and VALLEJO, so it could have been posted in either of them…be warned!
Here’s another one:
Large home in quiet community newly remodeled in & out featuring vaulted ceiling and tile in main living areas updated appliances throughout Large underground pool and yard This wonderful 3 bed with 2 baths and 2 car garage will go fast act now!
email
destinymcv@gmail.com
and another:
Enoromous living rm & dining room central air and heat split floor plan for large bedrooms seperate walk in closets newly renovated kitchen w/ all new appliances tile floors and granite counters 1/2 acre lot with fenced yard Minutes from everything Large dogs ok with approval Will be showing by appointment only contact us now
alyssatwh@gmail.com
same thing in Daytona Beach, becareful
nothing like ripping people off while they are trying to find a place to live, how do they sleep at night, I dont get it!
Just came across this posting for an apt in San Gabriel Valley -
$899 / 3br - 3bdrm Spacious 2 Bathroom Rental (San Gabriel Valley)
Date: 2009-08-11, 9:29AM PDT
Reply to: see below
Great spacious 3bdrm two bath with lots of upgrades screened in porch access to all of our facilities first and last month needed only
email
katelyntja@gmail.com
Same email reply. Glad I found this before proceeding.
[...] a decent home to rent, I came across ANOTHER scam. This one was much more polished than the last Craiglist Credit Report scam I posted about, but still operates in the same [...]
Yeah, also found this reply. Was suspicious to begin with, especially when http://www.rentalpropertiesgroup.com never pulled up. Also, some information for the application made no sense. The email he used was stewart.moses@hotmail.com.
Here’s a variation. Thanks for posting this info guys!
They had great pictures, but did not show the front of the house.
From: summit.investments@hotmail.com
Hello,
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you sooner! Things have been so hectic for me these last couple of days!
The good news is that the rental is still available! We had an offer from the first person we showed it to, but now it appears that they are changing their mind, so we need to start showing it again as soon as possible. You were the second one to email me about it.
The property was just cleaned, and it’s in great condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to do a quick look of the property, but my husband doesn’t want me to mass send out the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, another vacant property was broken into and vandalized. We don’t want that to happen again! I CAN tell you that it’s a very special property, which would normally rent for quite a bit more than other comparable properties in the neighborhood.
For utilities, your electric, gas, water, sewer and trash will be transferred into your name upon occupying the property. You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property.
The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched into a 6-month lease if preferred. We just ask that you give us fair notice if you are moving out.
If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. We use this company for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the free credit report. The actual scores on the report aren’t important to us; it’s more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure you are who you say you are.
Get your report here: http://secure-credit.net/myfreereport/
Remember, we only need to see the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing.
As far as getting together to see the property goes, I am available to show it any time from 10:00 am on, for the next couple of days. Let me know when you’ve printed out your credit report, and we will set up a time to do your walk-through.
Thank you once again for your interest!
Helen Jennings
Leave a Comment