Have you come across a Craigslist rental scam lately? Here are my tips to avoid Craigslist scams and real estate scams so that you can stay safe.
Over the past few weeks, we have been searching for the perfect rental home for us to move into, but sadly we have come across many Craigslist rental scams. We found many great homes, and actually signed a lease the other day on one (more information on that to come soon).
Even though we found a rental home, we came across many Craigslist scams and Craigslist rental scams firsthand. It led to us wondering “How do I avoid Craigslist rental scams?”
I only received around 10 emails back from potential landlords and three of those I knew were definitely scammers. There might have been others as well.
Due to this, I knew I had to create a post on the topic of rental scams for people who are looking for apartments and houses on Craigslist for rent.
You can find rental scams everywhere (Craigslist, Zillow, and more), and many people are duped every single day out of hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars due to fake listings on this platform.
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How do Craigslist rental scams work? How do rental scams work on Craigslist?
There are cases where the person might not actually be a scammer, but you should be on high alert if you decide to continue through with a potential rental that you are unsure about.
Hopefully with my advice on renting on Craigslist tips below, you’ll be able to find a REAL rental.
Some scams that you may come across include:
- Craigslist rental scams
- Craigslist apartment scams
- Craigslist housing scams
- Craigslist vacation rental scams
- Fake house ads on Craigslist
- Rent to own scams on craigslist
If you’re wondering if Craigslist rentals are legit – yes, they are! But, you need to be careful. So, before you hand over a check, your credit card, or your driver’s license, please make sure that it is not a Craigslist home scammer that you are dealing with.
Below, you’ll learn how to spot a scammer on Craigslist.
Related: What You Need To Know About Renting A Room In Your House
What happens if you get scammed on Craigslist?
If you get scammed on Craigslist, they may be taking your rent money, security deposit, or even your personal information. Plus, they may waste your valuable time, and you may even be thinking that you are truly moving into the rental property.
This can be heartbreaking, and you definitely do not want this to happen to you.
How can you tell if someone is scamming you on Craigslist?
There are a few ways to tell if you are dealing with a Craigslist rental poster. Here’s how to spot a rental scammer on Craigslist.
1. The “landlord” is showing you the home, but do they actually own it?
One of the many Craigslist rental scams I have been hearing about a lot lately is when a scammer seems legitimate and even shows you around the rental. You might believe they are the landlord since they somehow got into the rental, but that isn’t always the case.
Sometimes scammers will break into a back window or even steal the key from the actual landlord so they can show the rental to unsuspecting potential tenants. This can be a huge disaster, as many people will believe the scammer since they are pretending to be the landlord.
Another Craigslist scam I have heard about that is related to this is when a renter moves into a home, pays the deposit, rent, etc., only to find out weeks or months later that the actual owner is at their door. The owner might have been on a long vacation or they might have just let the home sit vacant while trying to sell it, and thieves noticed their absence only to take advantage of the situation. This can be bad as you will have to vacate immediately and you will be out of money, such as the refundable deposit you may have given to the scammer.
My Craigslist rental search tip: Always make sure the person renting out the home is the owner or the property manager. There are many fake house ads on Craigslist. You can usually do a simple search on who owns the property by looking up city records. You also may be able to call the building’s manager (if there is one) and ask if the apartment is for rent and who is renting it.
2. A rental that seems too good to be true is often one of the many Craigslist rental scams.
This is how some rental scammers try to lure you in and an easy way to know how to spot a scammer on Craigslist. They will create a listing, make the rental sound amazing, offer it at a very low price, not require money upfront, many luxurious amenities for a low price, and so on.
Also, if it says something like smoking and pets are allowed, I would be a little cautious as well. I haven’t seen very many rentals that would just say that upfront unless they were really desperate for a renter.
This is a clue that you might be the victim of a Craigslist scam. If the landlord makes it too easy for you to live in their rental, then you need to be very careful. Scammers are often hoping that someone will be caught up in a “great deal” and come running to them with cash.
My rental search tip: Always do your research before you give anyone money. You should check other listings in the area to see if the rental is comparable and you should also see if the place is actually for rent. In most cases, it is not.
Here’s one Craigslist scam email I received (I actually received this response for two different rentals I inquired about):
3. A scammer wants your information or money before you view the home.
If you are asked to fill out a rental application before you view a home, then you might be in the middle of one of the many Craigslist rental scams. The scammer is hoping that you will give them personal information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or something else. They will then disappear once they receive all of this information. This is a bad situation because you basically just gave your identity away.
Also, if you are asked to give money before you are allowed to view a home or see the interior, then something is not right. This is most definitely a scam and you should avoid it. You should never have to pay loads of money in order to just view a home.
My rental search tip: You should always do your research, view the home, and more before you give out any extremely personal information. Occasionally, you may have to give your ID to the landlord, but other than that they should not need anything personal from you just to show you the rental house or apartment. Now, many times the Craigslist rental does for your email address, so that they can contact you. That is fine, simply be safe!
Here’s another Craigslist rental scam e-mail I received. This person sent me two e-mails so I just copied and pasted both e-mails into one so that you can easily read them both:
4. The landlord’s email has been compromised – Big Craigslist housing scams!
One scary Craigslist rental scam I recently heard about is when all of the information in a rental listing is correct. The home is actually for rent, the e-mail and phone number are real, and more.
However, when you e-mail the landlord you believe you are actually talking to them. It turns out that you are actually talking to someone who hacked into their e-mail. This can be a scary Craigslist scam as it can be hard to detect.
My rental search tip: Even though this Craigslist rental scam seems difficult, it can be easy to overcome. You should contact the landlord via the phone number that is listed on the real listing and talk to a real person. Then, you should verify everything that was discussed in the e-mails. Most of the time, landlords have no idea that their e-mail address was even hacked.
Related: Phone Scams: The Best Tips To Avoid Becoming A Victim
5. They give you a sob story.
Some rental scammers will give you a sob story in order to make you feel bad for them. But, think about it: why would a landlord need to tell you this at all in the first place?
It’s a business for them.
If they give you some sort of sad story, then it is most likely a scam. Lots of Craigslist rental scammers will give you a sob story such as having to move to take care of family, being forced to move due to the military, or something else.
Don’t believe it.
6. Lots of typos are a red flag
If the email or the paperwork has a lot of typos, then this is usually a sign that you are dealing with a Craigslist rental scam.
So, as you are reading their emails, the home rental application, and more, check to see if there are a lot of glaring mistakes. While the grammar and everything may not be perfect, if there are a lot of obvious errors then I would be a little cautious.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craigslist Rental Scams
Below are answers to common questions about Craigslist rental scams.
How do I verify a rental on Craigslist? How can you tell a scam on Craigslist?
You may be wondering “How do you know if a rental is legit?” or “How do I make sure a Craigslist rental is real?”
There are many different things to be aware of when looking for a rental online. Here are my general tips before falling for Craigslist housing scams or Craigslist apartment scams:
- Always make sure the person showing the home is the landlord or property manager.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
- If the landlord is trying to push a lot of urgency your way, then I would be wary. For example, if they say that they need someone to move in tomorrow because they are flying overseas, and that’s why they have such a good deal, then they may be a con artist.
- Be careful with your personal information, so that you are not the victim of identity theft.
- If anyone ever asks you to wire money, you should not. Most scammers will ask for money to be wired and this should be your first red flag that something is not right. Keep in mind that if you wire money, you CANNOT get it back. Too many people think you can get wired money back.
- Does the listing and/or e-mail communication with the “landlord” have many misspellings? Does the e-mail refer to you as Sir or Madam? Do they say they are out of the country and cannot show you the home until you pay? Do they claim to be a missionary or a reverend? If any of these are true, then this is usually the sign of a scammer.
- Does the person never want to meet in person? If you never meet the landlord, then it is most likely a Craigslist rental listing scam. The landlord or their property manager will want to meet you, not avoid you.
- Do they only want you to peak through the windows in order to view the rental? This is a huge red flag if they never want to meet you and instead want you to only look through the windows. Legitimate landlords will want to meet you and rental ads that state otherwise are most likely fake.
- Does the Craigslist home for rent seem like a really great deal? If so, you may want to ask yourself why they are offering such a great deal. Real owners don’t think you are doing them a favor. Instead, they see it as a way to make money.
- Do they mention Western Union or receiving funds via money order? If so, then it may be a scam as scammers love to mention Western Union. You simply want to be careful if they ask for either of these.
- Are they letting you skip any type of background check? Sometimes there are credit checks, background checks, and so on. If it is too easy to get the rental, then it is probably a scam.
- Always trust your gut instinct as there are always other places to rent in the world.
As you can see, there are many ways to learn how to spot a rental scammer on Craigslist. There are many fake house ads on Craigslist, so you want to be careful.
Are Craigslist rentals legit? How do I know if a rental is legitimate?
Yes, Craigslist rentals cans be legitimate. I have personally found Craigslist houses to rent (and lived in it) through Craigslist.
Below, you will see how to tell if a Craigslist rental is legitimate or if it is a fake Craigslist ad, and how to spot red flags.
Are Craigslist rentals safe? Is renting from Craigslist safe?
Yes, Craigslist rentals can be safe. You simply need to follow the tips in this article so that you can stay away from Craigslist rental scams and find legitimate home rentals.
Why do people post fake rentals on Craigslist?
People post fake rental ads on Craigslist because they are scammers and are looking for easy money. Plus, some potential renters who may be looking for a new home may be a little desperate as well, because everyone needs a place to live in, of course.
Is it safe to rent a room from Craigslist?
Yes, it can be safe to rent a room from Craigslist. Follow the tips here, and make sure you get along with your potential future roommates.
You also want to be safe on Facebook Marketplace, and anywhere else where you may be looking at potential homes to rent.
What can a Craigslist scammer do with my phone number?
A scammer can use the phone number that you give them to scam others, through Google Voice. I recommend being careful with giving your phone number out.
Someone posted my house for rent on Craigslist, what do I do?
If you have a realtor or real estate agent and your house or condo are currently for sale, I highly recommend contacting them and seeing what you can do. This is because many times homes that are for sale will be listed for rent on Craigslist through a fake ad.
You should also report the fraudulent Craigslist ad to Craigslist. Doing this will help to curb Craigslist rental frauds and help anyone who may fall for the Craigslist rental scam.
You also will want to go to your local police department and attorney general to see what they can do for you as well.
How do I protect myself from Craigslist rental scams? How do I avoid getting scammed on Craigslist?
Don’t give money or any of your personal information (such as your bank account number, social security number, and so on) until you are 100% sure that it is a real rental on Craigslist.
Also, if the person requests money or your personal info from you before you even view the rental property, then I would be careful as well.
You will want to make sure you do your research before you give the person cashier’s checks, a PayPal account, or even Venmoing or sending a Zelle payment to them. Whatever way that they ask for payment, you simply want to be careful and spend your time to make sure that you are not dealing with a Craigslist scammer.
Unfortunately, there are many Craigslist rental scams on the internet which are scamming potential renters.
P.S. There are over 200 comments below (you may have to click “« Older Comments” to see all of them), and many of you have been sharing your Craigslist rental scam stories and screenshots of exact emails. This is a great way to learn how to catch a rental scammer on Craigslist. Let’s continue to help one another out, thank you!
How to spot Craigslist housing scams? How to spot a rental scammer on Craigslist?
I hope you enjoyed today’s article on how to find Craigslist rental scams. There are definitely many fake ads out there, but do not let a Craigslist scammer deter you. There are ways to learn how to avoid rental scams on Craigslist so that you don’t get scammed.
Instead, I recommend doing your research and being careful before you hand over money or start a wire transfer. You may want to ask locals about a specific rental property, search anything you can on Google to see if the rental pops up for you (such as if you can see any complaints for that specific address), reaching out to a property management company, and more. This is so that you can make sure you are talking to the true owner of the property or whoever works for them.
After all, you don’t want to give scam artists a security deposit, Moneygram, first month’s rent, application fee, cashier’s checks, Venmo, Zelle, or whatever else they want without some verification that it is all real.
And, if a landlord asks you to send over gift cards as a form of payment, it is most likely fake and you are dealing with a Craigslist scammer. I have never, never heard of a landlord asking for a gift card as payment. It can be easy to fall for a rental scam, especially in today’s rental market where there is no rental inventory, which can lead to a lot of desperation.
Also, please be careful and watch out for Craigslist sublet scams. You can use many of the same Craigslist rental scam tips above to avoid Craigslist sublet scams.
But, there are legitimate rentals on Craigslist, you simply need to be careful. This may mean making sure to meet the property owner face-to-face, doing some research on the contact information that you are given, and more before you give a personal check and last month’s rent.
I, personally, have found a home rental on Craigslist and it was a great home. You can find Craigslist apartment rentals, Craigslist house rentals, and more that are legitimate – you just have to be careful.
What Craigslist rental scams and Craigslist apartment scams have you seen or heard about? Have you wondered how Craigslist rental scams work? Have you ever been the victim of any type of scam?
Leave a Reply
This is what I received. We even went and looked at the house. Finally looked it up and it was listed for a much higher price.
Thanks for your interest in my house. My house is still available for rent and is located at 116 Kendale St,Bowling Green, KY 42103 quite and safe, I’m looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that i am not around. I just traveled to London for a program called SERVING IN MISSION (SIM), you can view the link for more info: (link redacted).
I will be away for two years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. However, my initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving . So you ignore the sign post cause i have stop dealing and contacting the Realtor for too much fees i paid and the Realtor was trying to rip me off. You can drive by and check the the house and neighborhood and get back to me for further discussions because i need a tenant urgently and i can also forward the application form to you, if you are interested.
Nuno Gonzaléz
9:53 PM (13 minutes ago)
to me
Hello,
Thank you reply to the advert placed, I’m happy to inform you that the place is still available
for rent and you are the first person to contact me about it. I really need to know how soon you
want to move in and number of people. I’m on a missionary transfer to CA to serve God and
humanity. I work with SOS Children’s Village here in CA, I have no choice than to relocate and
this is the reason why I want to rent out the units to someone who is going to take care of the
place as if they own it. The apartment is available for short and long time term lease is also
accepted.
The rent includes all utilities and close to all amenities. I was advised to rent out the place
because there is no one leaving there right now. The place is available for immediate move in.
INCLUDED IN THE RENT: Cable , Kitchen completely equipped, Kettle – Toaster – Dishwasher –
Freezer – Microwave – Oven – Dryer – Heat – Water – Washing Machine and Electric.
I want you to provide the following information to fill the rent application form and other
documents, such as; rental agreement, rent receipts etc.
RENTAL APPLICATION FORM
Full name:
Profession:
Present Address of the applicants:
Zip code:
Reasons for Leaving:
How long do you intend staying:
Do you drink:
Ph Cell & Home:
Email:
Single Or Married:
Children:
Pet: If any ():
Date of Tenancy:
I ………………………… ……………..CERTIFY that answers given herein are true and
complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in
this application for tenant screening as may be necessary in arriving at a tenant decision. I
understand that the landlord may terminate any rental agreement entered into for any
misrepresentation made above.
I want you to make sure the present address is not mistaken because that’s where the keys and
documents will be ship to. The contents of the shipment you will be expecting are:
1. Bunch of keys to the property.
2. Documents containing the lease agreement and property description , including the property
address.
3. Rent receipts and damage deposit receipts.
I want you to email me once you fill the rent application form, the shipment of the package
containing the keys and other documents will be ship by secure courier service once the deposit
payment is paid.
I HAVENT EVEN SEEN THE APARTMENT you already sent forms.
I saw this post on craigslist this morning and couldn’t believe the apartment was cheap. He immediately replied. I had to look up the phone number to see if this was real and this page came up.
Too good to be true.
Thanks for getting back to me regarding my house, It gives me great joy to know that you are interested in my lovely house, I am Rev. Kevin Khabeer Manny the owner of the house you are making inquiry of. Presently my house is still available for rent and ready for immediately occupancy for just $1300 (rent already includes utilities).. I am sure you would be asking yourself why my rent is low, that’s because I am not too keen about the amount in renting the place out but to whom I am renting the house out to take great care of it and I have put the house up for sale before now but had to change my mind as my wife is not OK with us selling the house so my intention is to rent my house to someone that is responsible and be ready to take great care of the house as if it were his or her own, that is why the rent is low. and I plan to rent it through Real estate, but they are not serious simply because they have a lot of property to lease out and they also put our house in a higher rate while there commission is not fair. I am very certain that you would love the comfy of the house. The house is available for 3 years for now but you can live there to the period of time you wish and you can also move out as long as you can, you just need to inform me a month before you live so that I can look for another tenant like you do.
I would like you to know that I am giving this house out for rent because I have been transferred to EAST AFRICA on a Missionary Work by my church. My wife came here to join me with my kids after some months I was transfer because My Father is ill and my brother’s have take him to Argentina for surgery. and if not because of this, I wouldn’t have been renting the house out because me and my family resides in the house and we love it so much. I would like you to complete the tenant application form below and please be honest with the details to enable us choose the right tenant. I can be reach here and you can call or text anytime (970)984-8602.
This is the address of the house (222 Lime St, Inglewood, CA 90301)
It has a dramatic entry foyer with ceramic floor. Extremely spacious rooms throughout. Nice and light! Very quiet, low traffic area. I believe its absolutely a perfect place for you and your family. Utilities include Electric, Water, Trash, Sewer, Gas Etc….
Number of Bedrooms: 3
Number of Bathrooms:2.5
1,450 sqft
Pets are welcome!!!
SO COMPLETE THE TENANT RENTAL APPLICATION FORM BELOW IF YOU REALLY INTERESTED IN RENTING:
1)Your Full Name______________________________
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number______________________________
3)Are you married?_________________________
4)How many people will be living in the house______________________________
5)Do you have a pet______________________________
6)Do you have a car______________________________
7)Occupation______________________________
8)When will you like to move in?_____________________________
9)How long are you willing to stay in the property________________
10)Picture of the occupant If Available____________________________
11)When are you ready to Move In?________________
12)How Many Months are you willing to rent?________________
13) How Soon Do You Have The Deposit?_____________
The Landlord is authorized to use the information provided herein to conduct any and all investigations as deemed prudent by the Landlord. A Deposit of $1300 (which happens to be the security deposit) is required before moving in. You can drive by the house anytime to see the surroundings and the area since I am not in the around then we discuss on how to FedEx the keys paper work to you.
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so we can proceed further. You can call or text me for more information on the rental (970)984-8602.
I hope to hear from you soonest. God Bless You,
Rev. Kevin Khabeer Manny.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil….”Proverbs 3: 5-7.
Thanks for your response. I will look forward to working with you and i hope you become the right tenant for us as we need responsible people to take good care of the house. We also need serious applicants so we can move forward with the rental process.
I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone # : __________?
E-mail : __________?
Best time to call : __________?
How many proposed occupants : __________?
List of all occupants with approximate age : __________?
Present Address : __________?
City/State : __________?
Will you have pets : __________?
Please describe breed, size : __________?
Personality of pet : __________?
Preferred move in date : __________?
Intended length of lease: __________?
How much deposit can you put down today to secure the home for yourself : __________?
Length of previous tenancy : __________?
Present occupation : __________?
Do you run a business from home : __________?
If so what kind of business : __________?
Do you work late night : __________?
Do you smoke : __________?
Please feel free to ask any questions you do not understand and I will be looking forward to receive your email as soon as possible. As I am not around to show the inside, you can go check out the house and the neighborhood from the outside and get back to me if you really like it for more information. Respond as soon as you can so we can get this process started.
You can text or call me anytime for more inquiries on 203-701-9467
Regards and remain blessed.
Subject: Re: Split Bedroom Floor Plan, Covered & Uncovered Back Deck++Storage Shed
On Mon, Oct 15, 2018 at 4:49 AM F X wrote:
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. The house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house. Myself and my family just traveled to MISSOURI with Experience Mission. We will be away for about 4 years. The house is available for rent for short term and long term as we will be moving to our family house when we get back. I was unable to find a tenant before I traveled which is why I posted an ad online. My initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell so never mind if you see the for realtor sign in front of the house, it has already been taken off the market for sale so you will be dealing with me directly. How long do you intend to stay and how soon do you intend to move in?
Rental price: $700 per month and security deposit is $700 (security deposit is refundable).
Pets are Welcome.
Below is the address to the house : 8307 Dulcet Dr, Austin, TX 78745
Get back to me so I can forward you the rent questionnaire I would want you to fill out.
Regards and remain blessed.
For Toronto, ON, 3 messages:
Hello ,
Thanks for your email I am Engineer Ray Stevenson the owner of the property you are making inquiry of the rental is fully furnished with all necessary amenities situated in a very nice and safe area ,close to EVERYTHING , easy access to public transportation. Great Restaurants, Bars, Pubs and shopping within walking distance. It comes with parking spot and a Storage unit where you can put my furniture ( IF you don’t like it and you want use your furniture) PETS are welcome also you can rent ( FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED ). All utility bills are included in the rent and my place is available for a SHORT or LONG TERM rental period I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property I will solicit for your absolute maintenance I used to reside there before not until I left for CAMBODIA for a construction job with Total/Elf ( I’m a Construction Engineer ) I want a tenant I can trust do tell me more about yourself me and my family are staying here for about 5 yrs with no plan of returning back that is why I have made up my mind to put up all my property for rent the place is vacant and ready for move in now.
===========FILL THE RENT APPLICATION =============
1)Full Name(s):
2)Present Address(Current residence):
3)Direct contact phone number(home and cell):
4)Age:
5)Marital Status:
6)How many people will be living in the flat:
7)Do you have a pet ?:
8)Do you have a car? If yes, how many? :
9)Occupation:
10)Citizen of Which Country?
11)How long do you intend to stay?:
12)When are you ready to Move In? Exact Date? :
13) How many months rent can you pay upfront? Minimum ( first and last month rent ) or ( Pay 3 months rent + & you get (1) month free ) which option do you prefer ?
Thanks for taking your time in writing me and hope to hear back from you.
Regards,
Ray Stevenson .
***********
Hello ,
I reviewed your Application Form its very satisfactory and acceptable .The next step is payment which is the option you choose in the application form after we get the required payment for move in the following documents below and keys would be mailed out to you via DHL Courier Service to your current address and the tracking number will be sent then you can occupy your new home , The package includes:
1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent House form
3) The House documentary file
4) Full Description of the House
5) Payment Receipt
RE-CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY INFORMATION BELOW .
FULL NAME :
HOME ADDRESS:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I have had different situation with time waster whereby I secure the rental and when its time for payment they come up with different stories like reduce rent and so on .If you want me to secure rental until your move in date you have to pay the rent this week so I can be rest assured you aren’t a time waster the rental is situated in a very high demand area .Your monthly rent already covers all utility bills so you do not have to pay extra charges do reply back with your mailing address also should I forward Payment information.
**************
Hello ,
I am glad to have you as my new tenant I am responsible for maintenance, internal and external my property is covered with housing insurance and coverage on any issues or concerns regarding electricity, plumbing e.t.c you just have to contact me via email and would be fixed within 24 hours, Once again get back if I should forward payment information also reply back with your delivery information below .
FULL NAME
MAILING ADDRESS
I await your reply soon .
Dudes yeah this:
“Hello
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. Myself and my wife just traveled to Texas, Houston for a program called SERVING IN MISSION (SIM), you can view the link for more info: ( ). We will be away for 3 to 4 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. However, my initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving the States so never mind if you see the for sale sign in front of the house, It has already been taken off the market as for sale so there is no need to contact any Realtor.I want you to understand that I spent a lot on my property that you have requested to rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and would want you to treat it as your own because cleanliness they say is next to Godliness. It is not all about the money to be paid on rent or spent; it is all about a good maintenance culture which I want you to adopt on the property. I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I would be full of smiles whenever I come and above all, a good, strong and tight relationship between us when I come for a check up. Please one more thing, I wouldn’t like to have any benefit of trust in you because I want to stand in your words that the property would be well taken care of all the time. I believe you have seen how lovely it is if from only the pictures you saw in my posting compare to the 100% comfort to be derived from it as you are an occupant.”
-Couldn’t view the apt. because he’s in Texas but said I could peek in the front windows. No photos included in add or email
-Never included his name and wouldn’t give it to me over the phone, emailed me a picture of ‘him and his family’ with a name- lots of googling got me no where. ( Mr. Nadir Kouar. )
-Unable to place accent and very difficult to understand over the phone,
-Wants to receive cash payment through Money Gram before keys or lease received
-Said he would Fedex the key and papers overnight to me
-He was trying to move the process along very quickly.
-Really laid on that he and his wife were people of God, they know the world is a scary place, but they would be trusting me with their home. First thing let me know he was a very good Christian
-Sketchy application:
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone numbers (home,cell and office line ) # :__________?
E-mail :__________?
Best time to call :__________?
Marital Status:__________?
A Picture of your self if possible______________________?
How many proposed occupants :__________?
List all in addition to yourself including approx age :__________?
Present Address :__________?
City/State :__________?
Will you have pets :__________?
Please describe Breed, size :__________?
Personality of pet :__________?
Preferred move in date :__________?
Intended length of lease:__________?
Do you agree to pay the payment before you move in:__________?
Are you ready to make the payment today :__________?
Earliest possible date of deposit payment:__________?
Length of previous tenancy :__________?
Present occupation :__________?
Are you a section 8 applicant :__________?
Do you work late at night :__________?
Do you smoke :__________?
Do you drink :_______?
Craigslist Baltimore, 2212 Maryland Ave, is the advertised address. Owned by 2210-2212 Maryland Ave LLC, no other information on building owner or contact information to extra verify its a scam.
I feel like an idiot for falling for it a little bit, ew enough.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who posted their experiences as well.
I got the same message from 2 owners.
this is message….
—————————————————–
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my apartment. Yes the apartment is still available for rent and we need a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the apartment since we are not going to be around for a while. we traveled to Utah, for a program called SERVING IN MISSION (SIM),you can view the link for more info: (). i will be away for 3 to 4 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my apartment for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. I believe you have seen how it is from only the pictures you saw on the site, compared to the 100% comfort to be derived from it as an occupant.
FEATURES : Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat,Car park.
AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service,Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator,Washer / Dryer.
Rental Price: $850 per month and security Deposit is $500 (Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent.
Here is the address to the Home: 40 Sunol Street. APT # 4 San Jose, CA.
Bedroom:1
Bathroom:1
I may not be returning to the apartment because we plan buying another House upon arrival. For more inquiries.
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone numbers (home,cell and office line ) # :__________?
E-mail :__________?
Best time to call :__________?
Marital Status:__________?
How many proposed occupants :__________?
List all in addition to yourself including approx age :__________?
Present Address :__________?
City/State :__________?
Will you have pets :__________?
Please describe Breed, size :__________?
Personality of pet :__________?
Preferred move in date :__________?
Intended length of lease:__________?
Do you agree to pay the payment before you move in:__________?
Earliest possible date of deposit payment:__________?
Length of previous tenancy :__________?
Present occupation :__________?
Do you work late night :__________?
Do you smoke :__________?
Do you drink :__________?
Looking forward to hearing back from you with all this details so that i can have them in my file in case of issuing your rent payment receipt to you and for contacting you. Your quick response will be highly appreciated so that we can discuss on how to get the documents and the keys of my property to you via Express Delivery Services and You may drive by to view the building and its living environment. May God bless you and your family.
——————————–
I guess I’m a lucky one, i saw the ad it said $1100 +$1500 sec dep. I even saw it since apt is really for rent,more on that, i got the code flag num 1# I asked if I got there before 9am could I go in the house he replied,by email,that it had to be from 9-10 hmmm,So i saw hse,liked the house and asked how we proceed,he then emails me an application to fill out,in the meantime I’m thinking this is going was to easy,no credit check no rental report, so I Google the address and it is for rent but by a big realty company and for $1510 and it specifically states on their Zillow listing they would never put there real estate on craigslist. I’ve contacted the realty company and they are going to contact property Management. Not sure what else to do. Should I contact the police since this man still thinks I want the house?
I was contacted by an Eric Lester . He has a house for rent in sandford Florida.it was all a scam here is the phone number he contacted me with and the email .. (707)893-7863 chase_home021 @ aol.com people please be careful. I was also contacted by a Mr. Davis with two different numbers (904)701-4730 and (754)666-0059 for a rental in casselberry he was upset because I told him I would give him a check or a money order only .. NOT cash for the amount of 1900 which has the first month rent and deposit. Shameless people and they even mention God name in their scams !!! I hope this information help other people so they don’t fall in scams like this . Good luck and be careful.
My husband and I are running in a Jimmy Manly on Craigslist in the Asheville, NC area. These are the same emails he sent me sounding just like the ones above!
Thanks for showing interest , the property is available for rent and move-in ASAP, due to my job factor am in TEXAS at the moment and am gonna be here for about 3 years or more my name is JIMMY MANLEY am the owner of the property located at 78 Brooklyn Rd Asheville, NC 28803 which as just been recently renovated, the neighborhood is lovely and am sure you gonna like it there, the property is about 1,413 sqft with 3beds,2baths,I wanted to sell it out but due to some factor about the realtor I was working with before I decided not to sell it again, the agents are not truthful about handling things and I am looking to handle things myself now the best way I can . Am looking for someone that will take care of the property as if it was there own, someone that will be very neat, take good care of the property for me and make payment of rent with no delay pet are allowed as long as they are not destructive the rent is $1,413 and security down-payment is $1000. Thanks will be looking forward for your reply.
You can drive by the house anytime of the day if you wish to see the house for yourself. I am already in TX, you can go by and view the inside of the house through the window, if you like it, you get back to me so we can proceed with the rentals.. We need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money. Utilities include: power, water, washer/dryer, sewer except trash.. Your monthly rent already covers utilities so you do not have to pay extra charges for that. Pet are allowed as long as they are not destructive..like I explained to you before I am no more dealing with the realtor,the for sale sign is still there because I haven’t gotten a tenant yet so deal with me directly…
We just ran into the same person/listing. Did it end up being a scam?
I got one almost identical to this one!
We also received a scam from a guy named Barry N Sardinas who supposedly lives in FL now with his family and wants to rent his home instead of selling it. This is the application he sent us….
APPLICATION I received your inquiry about my property for rent at 35 Ora St Asheville, NC 28801. My name is Barry Sardinas. My family and I just moved down to Florida due to my job transfer, we will be here for 4 to 5 years. My initial plan was to sell the house but I find it difficult to let go this adorable home, I have decided to rent out to a responsible tenant who is willing to take very good care of it in our absence. Pets are allowed as long as they are not destructive. The rent is $1,100 and security deposit is $1,100 and total move-in cost is $2,200 the utilities are included in the monthly rent, as I am on a governmental program that sponsors my utilities on monthly basis. Please I want you to note that I spent a lot on my property that I want to give to you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own. We are offering this, because as good Christian we want to help in any way we can by making the house affordable, so if you do rent from us, please don’t let us down in keeping the house clean always because nothing will make us more happy than seeing our house properly kept clean when we come for check up. Feel free to contact me via email for further inquiries. You can drive-by to have a view of the surroundings and get back to me with the rental application filled out. General house description: Bedroom: 3 Bathroom: 2 below are some questions I need you to answer so we can discuss further. You can only drive by the property for now to check the outside and the neighborhood, it is available for a long and short term lease. RENT QUESTIONNAIRE APPLICANT Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname): __________? Phone numbers (home, cell and office line) #:__________? Marital Status: __________? How many proposed occupants: __________? List all in addition to yourself including approx age: __________? Driver’s License No: _________________?
Driver’s License State of Issue: ______________? Will you have pets: __________? Please describe Breed, size: __________? Personality of pet: __________? When do you plan to move in, please write exact date? Intended length of lease: __________? Do you agree to pay the payment before you move in: __________? If you are asked to make a down payment to secure the house today and take it off market, How much will you be able to pay: __________? Length of previous tenancy: __________? Present occupation: __________? Are you a section 8 applicant: ________? Do you work late night: __________? Do you smoke: __________? Do you drink: ___________? RESIDENCE HISTORY Provide at least 1 year(s) of history Present Address (City, State, Zip code): __________? Duration of Residence from ________ / ______ to _______ / ________ Monthly Rent $ ____ Reason for Moving ____________________________________________________________ Check one: Own ____ Rent ______ Other (Specify) ________________________________ If Rent, Name of Landlord ________________________ Landlord Phone No: ______________
EMPLOYMENT / FINANCIAL Current Employer: ______________________________ Phone: ________________________ How long with this employer? _______________ Supervisor: ___________________________ Phone: ______________________ Current gross income per month: _____________________ M Y CELL PHONE NUMBER (904-290-6226) I ___________________, Certify that answers given herein are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application for tenant screening as may be necessary in arriving tenant decision. I understand that the landlord may terminate any rental agreement entered into for any misrepresentation made above. Looking forward to hearing from you with all these details so that I can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt and contacting you. Await your reply so we can discuss on how to get the House document and the keys to you. Thanks and God bless you Barry N Sardinas.
What is really annoying is when you own one of these properties and have no interest in renting it. I get constant calls about a listing on Craig’s List when I am not looking to rent it for half my mortgage!
You would think Craigslist would have the technology to scrub their listings for these similar kinds of rental listings. Here’s the e-mail I got back when looking for a house to rent.
———————————————————————————————————
Thanks for your interest & property is still available for rent. I want a responsible person or family who are neat and also believe that they have all what it takes to take care of the property as if it where there own. Please be informed that I’m renting out the property because I was transferred to (MISSOURI) with my lovely family on contract project by American Society of Civil Engineers. (http://www.asce.org/).
American Society of Civil Engineers | ASCE
http://www.asce.org
ASCE Foundation. Making a positive change in our communities is possible… but only if we start now, set our sights high, and work together. Your Foundation!
We wanted to sell the property since we will be staying longer than we though & later my wife advised me not to sell the property anymore. I reasoned with her and accepted her advice so we contacted the agent back and requested for our keys and documents and put it for rent since we will back in the next 4 to 5 years.
We would have given the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent was asking too much of an agent fee and also made the rent high. We were not getting the responses we needed so i decided to terminated our contract with them and put it up for rent ourselves. If you notice, you will discover that the price we are offering is far below standard price and this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. The house is available for as long as you want,which include utilities such as Air Conditioner Dishwasher Walk-in Closet Refrigerator Vaulted Ceilings Washer/Dryer Cable etc.
House address:255 Boynton St,Manchester, NH 03102
Monthly rent :$800
Refundable Deposit: $800
Bedroom:3
Bathroom:1
All utilities are include in the rent.
APPLICATION FORM….
1)Your Full Name________________________
2)Current Address_______________________ ______
3)Phone Number (________)Best time to reach you ?
4)State________________
5)City__________________
6) Zip______________
7)Are you married______________________
8)Do you have Kids__________
9)Do you have a pet______________
10)Do you have a car______________________
11)Occupation______________
12)How many people will be living in the house___________
13)Reasons for Leaving present home_________________
14)How long lease are you looking for______________
15)How soon do you intend moving in________________
16)Date of Birth________________
17)Numbers of Cars________________
18)A picture of occupant ________________
19)How soon can you make the Rent/Deposit payment________________
20)How soon do you want to receive the keys/documents________________
============================= = ============== =========
Application Comment
============================== ============== =========
Please make sure this questions are filled correctly because the best way you answer with your comment will impress me the more to accept your application.
Juan Carlos Ruiz
(970) 639-0704
Regards……
I just got this one. My guy just moved to (TEXAS).
I got that same exact one today. Mine said he moved to Georgia. Bastard!
I knew it seemed odd because of the poor English used in the email, but I just figured it was someone who wasn’t from the US. To think that I might have eventually sent him some personal information, and possibly even a deposit. Ugh.
Same thing in Atlanta.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Hello,
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. The house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house. Myself and my family just traveled Out of town with Experience Mission. We will be away for about 4 years. The house is available for rent for short term and long term as we will be moving to our family house when we get back. I was unable to find a tenant before I traveled which is why I posted an ad online. My initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell so never mind if you see the for realtor sign in front of the house, it has already been taken off the market for sale so you will be dealing with me directly. How long do you intend to stay and how soon do you intend to move in?
Rental price: $1000 per month and security deposit is $800 (security deposit is refundable). Pets are Welcome.
House Address: 998 Glenwood Ave SE,
Atlanta, GA 30316
Get back to me so I can forward you the rent questionnaire I would want you to fill out.
Regards and remain blessed.
Chad M Phillips
2nd email…
Thanks for your response. I will look forward to working with you and I hope you become the right tenant for us as we need responsible people to take good care of the house. We also need serious applicants so we can move forward with the rental process.
I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone # : __________?
E-mail : __________?
Best time to call : __________?
How many proposed occupants : __________?
List of all occupants with approximate age : __________?
Present Address : __________?
City/State : __________?
Will you have pets : __________?
Please describe breed, size : __________?
Personality of pet : __________?
Preferred move in date : __________?
Intended length of lease: __________?
How much deposit can you put down today to secure the home for yourself: __________?
Length of previous tenancy : __________?
Present occupation : __________?
Do you run a business from home : __________?
If so what kind of business : __________?
Do you work late night : __________?
Do you smoke : __________?
Do you drink : __________?
CALL OR TEXT ME ON THIS NUMBER (775) 468-3473
Please feel free to ask any questions you do not understand and I will be looking forward to receiving your email as soon as possible. As I am not around to show the inside, you can go check out the house and the neighborhood from the outside and get back to me
These scammers are really everywhere. It’s to the point the response I received didn’t even answer the questions I asked. Well I found this on craigslist. Washington Heights Studio for 900.
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in my apartment it’s still available for rent. I am sure you would be asking yourself why my rent is low, that’s because I am not too keen about the money in renting the apartment out but to whom I am renting the apartment out to. My intention is to rent my apartment to someone that is responsible and that would take great care of the apartment as if it were his or hers. I am very certain that you would love the comfy of the apartment, it is available for short and long term lease.
I would like you to know that I am giving this apartment out for rent because I have relocated to West Africa on a missionary work and I would be spending couple of years before I would be through with my assignment. So my family and I have decided that we would be moving to our other home in Seattle, Washington when we get back to the states, I would like you to complete the tenant application form below if you are interested in my apartment and please be honest with the details.
Rent Fees:
Rent Per Month: $875 (Including Utilities)
Security Deposit: $750 (Refundable)
LOCATION : 44 Seaman Ave APT 3G, New York, NY 10034.
APARTMENT FEATURES:
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Sqft: 750
Property type: Apartment
Parking: Yes
Availability: now
Lease term: Contact for Details
Utilities included: electricity, water, gas, internet, cable, garbage.
COMPLETE THE TENANT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:
FIRST NAME:
MIDDLE NAME:
LAST NAME:
AGE:
SEX:
MARITAL STATUS:
CELL PHONE:
HOME PHONE:
KIDS___ (YES/NO), HOW MANY:
PRESENT ADDRESS:
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND TO MOVE IN:
DO YOU HAVE PET:
DO YOU SMOKE:
After I have received these details above, I would discuss with my wife and let you know my terms and how we would conclude the Lease process so you can move into the apartment asap.
I hope to hear from you soonest.
I have come across a place called how2rentagain and was wondering if this could be a scam, talking about how to having landlords not being able to see my credit score or rental history. I have Life Lock but still is concerning. I have
I give him props for finding out the name of the actual owner of the property. But you think they would change or at least improve their language a bit.
Thanks for getting back to me regarding my house,It gives me great joy to know that you are interested in my lovely house,I am Rev. Franklin Xu, the owner of the house you are making inquiry of. Presently my house is still available for rent and ready for immediately occupancy for just $1350 (rent already includes utilities).. I am sure you would be asking yourself why my rent is low, that’s because I am not too keen about the amount in renting the place out but to whom I am renting the house out to take great care of it and I have put the house up for sale before now but had to change my mind as my wife is not OK with us selling the house so my intention is to rent my house to someone that is responsible and be ready to take great care of the house as if it were his or her own, that is why the rent is low. and I plan to rent it through Real estate, but they are not serious simply because they have a lot of property to lease out and they also put our house in a higher rate while there commission is not fair. I am very certain that you would love the comfy of the house. The house is available for 3 years for now but you can live there to the period of time you wish and you can also move out as long as you can, you just need to inform me a month before you live so that I can look for another tenant like you do.
I would like you to know that I am giving this house out for rent because I have been transferred to EAST AFRICA on a Missionary Work by my church. My wife came here to join me with my kids after some months I was transfer because My Father is ill and my brother’s have take him to Argentina for surgery. and if not because of this, I wouldn’t have been renting the house out because me and my family resides in the house and we love it so much. I would like you to complete the tenant application form below and please be honest with the details to enable us choose the right tenant. I can be reach here and you can call or text anytime (970)984-8602.
This is the address of the house (22761 Medina Ln Cupertino, CA 95014)
It has a dramatic entry foyer with ceramic floor. Extremely spacious rooms throughout. Nice and light! Very quiet, low traffic area. I believe its absolutely a perfect place for you and your family. Utilities include Electric, Water, Trash, Sewer, Gas Etc….
Number of Bedrooms: 2
Number of Bathrooms:2
1,100 sqft
Pets are welcome!!!
SO COMPLETE THE TENANT RENTAL APPLICATION FORM BELOW IF YOU REALLY INTERESTED IN RENTING:
1)Your Full Name______________________________
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number______________________________
3)Are you married?_________________________
4)How many people will be living in the house______________________________
5)Do you have a pet______________________________
6)Do you have a car______________________________
7)Occupation______________________________
8)When will you like to move in?_____________________________
9)How long are you willing to stay in the property________________
10)Picture of the occupant If Available____________________________
11)When are you ready to Move In?________________
12)How Many Months are you willing to rent?________________
13) How Soon Do You Have The Deposit?_____________
The Landlord is authorized to use the information provided herein to conduct any and all investigations as deemed prudent by the Landlord. A Deposit of $1350 (which happens to be the security deposit) is required before moving in. You can drive by the house anytime to see the surroundings and the area since I am not in the around then we discuss on how to FedEx the keys paper work to you.
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so we can proceed further. You can call or text me for more information on the rental (970)984-8602.
I hope to hear from you soonest. God Bless You,
Rev. Franklin Xu.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil….”Proverbs 3: 5-7.
Yup, got this just a couple days ago.
Hello Roommate,
Thank you for your response regarding my rental room. It gives me great joy to know that you are interested to become my roommate. The room is still very much available for rent. My name is Sophia Hamilton. I’m 28 yrs single. My Job Description, I am An RN, short for registered nurse, treats patients and provides advice and emotional support to them and their families.I educate patients, as well as the public, about medical conditions.There are also registered nurses who provide primary or specialty care to patients. I’m presently out of state 2 weeks training program based on my career and i won’t be back until next week, but still the room can be secured for you if you really have interest in renting it. I’m very outgoing, honest and responsible.. Very clean and neat as a pin but not ridiculously fastidious. lol. Can be quiet when I’m working, but bubbly and love to laugh.I usually like to chill and sketch or watch a movie after the work day, but always open to get a quick bite every now and then. Weekends are wherever the wind takes me. I like to take drives in my little Beetle convertible and go exploring.
These apartment belongs to my Dad, he’s managing and maintaining the apartment. My Dad and i live together in the apartment before he re-married and moved to Indiana with his new wife, but he wanted me to find someone who will be living with me in the apartment. Ideally, I’m looking for someone with zero drama, pay bills on time and responsible with the rent. Someone i can get along with, male or female who is clean and tidy, a good laugh respect privacy and wouldn’t mind doing things together as roommates once in a while. If this is what you are looking for, i will like you to complete the questionnaire listed below.
Address: 750 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Rent per month: $700(All utilities included)
Security deposit: $700(Fully refundable)
Full Name?
Profession?
Cell Phone?
Present Address?
Do you work late night and do you smoke and drink? (We just need to come to an understanding before giving out the room ) Let’s be clear on that.
Do you do drugs?
Do you have a pet?
Please describe Breed, size?
When are you ready to Move In, please write exact move in date?
Do you have a car?
How long do you intend staying?
Can i trust you and my apartment safe keeping in your hands?
The apartment is also in a very quiet location, vibrant neighborhood with great variety of cafes, bars, restaurants, groceries, public library and amenities. Taxis can be hailed anywhere at any time day or night. I am confidently assuring you that you will be more than satisfied when you come to the apartment while you will have your private entrance, private bathroom. I look forward to hear from you soonest at your convenient with the questionnaire above fill out so we can proceed further with the renting process asap. Please include at least two pictures of you and also find the attached pictures of the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and the bathroom you are renting.
Regards,
Sophia…