Renter Beware Story #1- SCAM

This is from our old blog. Please send us your renter "beware" stories to warn other of scams. Comments are welcomed and have been posted from the old blog.

Sue Anne:

Beware of apartment listing where the person has moved overseas (UK for 5 years) and wants to use TNT to exchange keys/contract for rent money via Western Union or MoneyGram. SCAM, SCAM, SCAM!!!

posted by Guest at Wednesday, March-05-2008 16:53pm

Comments

[HowToRentInNYC]

Almost scammed!
Thaks a bunch Sue Anne, Had a weird case from craigslist that was exactly to the tee what you described! Unusual guy from Canada, before I even saw the place was emailing me instructions on having money wired from Western Union - told him tht wasn't going to happen till I saw the place first. Never heard from him again - :clap:
posted by Guest at Friday, September-05-2008 17:00pm

Thankful
To Sue Anne and rentnyc, Thanks for the warning! :)
posted by Guest at Wednesday, April-30-2008 11:06am

rentnyc
I agree with previous post. I'm flexible with my move time so I thought I'd inquire into some "too good to be true" listings. Funny how I received very similar template responses. See examples below and BEWARE! Note that they all have parking and a fireplace, even though that's not the case so you know this is a template response. 1) Thank you for your interest. Also sorry for the late reply but I had a lot to work and this is the time I could reply. As you can see I have available the apartment located in xxxStreet at xx Avenue, with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, square ft. xxx, because I moved with my job in United Kingdom, London and I need money to pay the rent here. This is the main reason I want to rent at this price and also to find a good person for my apartment. I can rent you the apt. for max. 5 years because I have a contract here for this period. I `m the owner of the apt and its like in the pics. The rent for 1 month is $xxxx.xx including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I `m the only person who have the keys but I hope that we will find a compromise. Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon. Good luck, 2) Thank you for your reply but the matter is that I'm in Las Vegas already. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal, that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. In order of that I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 24 hours, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called Royal Shipping which is similar to DHL or UPS, which will handle both payment and delivery of the Keys. I have found a procedure that will allow you to pay for the rent of the apt only after you will receive the keys of it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment. Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of this week or the beginning of the next one.Are u agree to make this transaction through Square Trade. Square Trade and Royal Shipping is third party services, they will hold the payment until you will inspect and agree with the apartment.The shipping company's agent told me that the first step is for you to send me your full name, shipping address and phone #. Then you will receive a complete list with instructions. If you are decided we are going to have a safe deal. Please get back to me to explain you more. I`am waiting for your reply as soon as possible. Thank you! 3) Thank you for your interest. Also sorry for the late reply but I had a lot to work and this is the time I could reply. As you can see I have available the apartment with square ft. xxx, because I moved with my job in Las Vegas, Nevada and I need money to pay the rent here. This is the main reason I want to rent at this price and also to find a good person for my apartment. I can rent you the apt. for max. 5 years because I have a contract here for this period. I `am the owner of the apt and its like in the pictures. The rent for 1 month is $xxxx.xx including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I `am the only person who have the keys but I hope that we will find a compromise. Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon. Best Regards,
posted by Guest at Monday, March-10-2008 19:44pm