NEWS ALERT

Note that the scammer in the example below tries to convince you NOT to give him information, but to give him access to your credit report, in an effort to reassure you. Keep in mind that if he has access to your credit report, that is all he needs to steal your identity.

“Considering the overwhelming response our ad received, we decided to use a quick and easy pre-screening process to determine if you are an eligible renter. Please visit the following to get a quick free credit report www.creditreportgold.com/offer (you can copy and paste that into your browser). Your email is required on that first page.

After that is complete do not send us the information. The personal details are not required by us. Instead, forward us the transaction ID. Through that we can verify the information we need. Note that we will not consider any score lower than 450. If deemed eligible you will be forwarded an application via email including details of the rental including specific location from us. If your credit is poor (but above 450), apply anyway. You never know who else you are applying with.”

The Internet Evils Have Entered the Rental Business. 
By Mike Hill, Georgia Landlord Solutions.

The scammers will “hijack” a legitimate manager’s ad, substitute themselves as the landlord and try to collect the deposit and first month’s rent themselves for a property they don’t own or manage.

The Following is a shortened story from a property manager in California who, like many others, advertises vacancies on Craig’s List.

The manager had a house listed at $2,500 a month, but had the ad “hijacked” by someone who advertised the same property on Craig’s List for only $1,500 a month using the current tenant’s name as the landlord/manager, substituting the scammer’s phone number and using a private P.O address to receive the deposit and first month’s rent. Which worked.

The “new” tenant then confronted the current tenant, ready to move in which, of course, the current tenant didn’t know anything about. The “tenant” then demanded the current tenant return his security deposit and rent money which, of course, the current tenant also didn’t know anything about. That’s also (of course) when the real landlord/property manager was dragged into the mess.

Turned out the new “tenant”, by the way, was a police officer who, the manager said, should have suspected there was something wrong with a $2,500 house being rented for $1,000 less. To add insult to injury, whoever pulled the scam now has all the personal information the policeman put on the fake application. You know, stuff like his Social Security #, where he banks and his account number, his dog’s name, the size of his gun .. plus his money.

SAMPLES OF REAL EMAILS FROM HIJACKED RENTAL ADS

Here is a real example of an email that one of our customers received when she replied to a hijacked ad:
 
 
Hello,
 
God bless you for your interest about my house,yes is still available for rent. I am renting this house to a responsible and neat person or family who has the fear of God and treat my house as his or her own.Presently I and  my wife have work for USAID.USAID works in agriculture, democracy & governance, economic growth, the environment, education, health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all.
USAID still faces an uncertain future. In many developing countries, HIV/AIDS and health issues are having a dramatic impact on social cohesiveness and economic strength, blocking the very development goals we seek. Virtually all the new democracies in the world today are fragile; others are democracies more in name than substance. Nearly a quarter of the people living in developing countries, or about one billion people, live in absolute poverty. There are a host of other threats - ranging from terrorism to infectious disease and violent conflict - that challenge us and the developing nations we seek to help.Here is USAID Web address:-http://www.usaid.gov 
USAID efforts to foster world-wide economic growth and increased trade,and tackling cross-border issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons.To safe the live of peoples from primitive  death that claims the souls of younger ages as a result of casual sex gave us transfer to West Africa and we will be away for 8 years or more and this is why we are actually renting out house,so if you are interested and will take good care of our house then we will be ready to accept you as our future tenant and family friend. If you really impress me by taking good care of our house then you will be allowed to stay as long as you wish okay.
This is the address of the Single family house 410 Corral De Tierra Road,Salinas, CA 93908
 
So get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting home. Hope you are okay with the price of US$1000/month  with hydro, heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on. PETS ARE WELCOME!
 
I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get the house for rent, also are you ready to rent it now or when? Await your reply.
 
Thanks.
+2347082380367
 


 And here is another example that was received by another management company:

 

Hello Dear,
Am sorry for the late response...Calvary greetings to you,also to your house hold..I did get your response concerning the AD I posted on craigslist.i am the owner of the house you are making enquiry of.Actually I 
resided in the house with my family,such as my wife and my only daugther Milinda before.. presently we had packed due to my transfer from my working place and now situated in the (West Africa Nigeria) did bid for a
portion of petroleum land sometimes ago in West Africa and fortunately I won the  bidding so I have to move quickly down to West Africa(Nigeria) and presently my house is still available for rent ..including the
utilities,it is NOT furnised because i have already move down my furnitures to the STore..  if u which to move in with your furnishes no problem..
Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind and honest  man and also i spent alot on my property that i want to give you for rent,i will want you to take absolute maintenance of my house and want you to treat it as your
own,i,it is not the money the main problem  but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.
 
SO IF YOU ARE REALY INTRESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE  RENTAPPLICATIONS FORMS BELOW
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Full Name__________________________________________________ Home Phone (        ) ________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone (       ) ___________________
Current Address_______________________________house address#________ City__________________ State______ Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________Phone (       ) ____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Occupation____________________________
How soon can you have the deposit  ________________________________________
How soon can you have the Rent_________________________
How soon do you want to receive the keys________________________________________
Move In Date____________________________
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document
and the key to you,Note that the keys and documents of my house is with me here in west africa.please we are giving you the house base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that,we do not
see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do notl et us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this..
You will only be able to drive by the house for now but not have a look at the interior until i have sent the keys and documents of the house to you..and the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house
is a fully refundable payment of $1000 USD,which is the security deposit. Please note that the deposit made is fully refundable should in case you finally gain entrance into the house after receiving the keys and
documents and feel unsatisfied or uncomfortable with the interior,but i am giving you a benefit of doubt that you will love everything about this lovely home..
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR RENT ONLY STARTS COUNTING AFTER YOU HAVE FINALLY MOVED INTO THE HOUSE, SO YOU NEED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT NOW AND NOT MOVING
IN IMMEDIATELY,ALL YOU'RE DOING IS SECURING THE HOUSE IN YOUR FAVOR IN ORDER NOT TO LOOSE IT TO OTHER INTERESTED APPLICANTS..
This large 3/3/2 parking unit is the largest units in Ko Olina Kai. With a spacious 1625 square feet of living space, this unit is very enjoyable.
This unit is located in the Ko Olina Resort community of Ko Olina Kai. The community has a large swimming pool and recreation area. You are in walking distance to the Ko Olina Golf Course, the lagoons, the Ko Olina
Marina and other Restaurants in the Resort.

ADDRESS: 92-1065 Koio Drive, Kapolei, HI
 
DEPOSIT IS 1000 DOLLARS AND RENT IS 1550 DOLLARS..
 YOU CAN CONTACT ME ON +234-808-398-0705  Or  011-234-808-398-0705.
Thanks And God Bless You