by almostScammed1
Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:54 pm
I found a the following listing, and responded just in case it was a legitimate listing.
http://cambridge-massachusetts.olx.com/ ... d-65956748
I got the following response on 1/06/2012:
Hello,
Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hearing from you. I am Alycia Campbell, the owner of the apartment you are making inquiry .
I bought this apartment for my daughter during her studies in US, but now she's back home (London/United Kingdom) permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time.
Before we go any further I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, and for how long.
The flat is exactly like in the pictures. Also, very important, the utilities (cold/hot water, electricity, wireless broadband Internet, digital TV, 1 parking spots, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are INCLUDED in the price of $900 per month. The warranty is also $900 and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment (you will have to give me at least 30 days notice). As for me, you can rest assured that I will never ask you to leave the apartment. My daughter is building her life here, and i am too old to move to US, so we won't disturb you.
So i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own, is that taken, I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be happy to see it neat when i come for a check up.I do that once in a while.I want have trust in you as i always stand by my words
Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better.
My name is Alycia Campbell and I'm a 58 years old graphic designer from London/United Kingdom, planning to retire in the next 2 years.
I have a lovely husband, David and a 25 year old daughter, Linda. I am very proud to say that soon I'm going to be a grandmother.
Another member of our family is a 8 year old Labrador which we all love, so, I have no problem if you will keep pets.
Unfortunately, my health and undergoing treatment don't allow me to do any travelling for the next few months, so I will not be able to come and meet you personally for a while.
Since I'm here we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are asking for. 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 2 days. The solution is provided by a company called Realtor.com , which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys..
But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from London (on my expense of course).
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and i will send you the details step by step
All the best from London!
Alycia Campbell
I followed up with info about my husband and I.
We got the following response on Jan. 8th
Thank you for your reply.
After analysing all the applications together with my husband, we decided that you would be suitable to rent the apartment. We can start with a basic 1 year contract with the possibility of renewing it or with the period of time suitable for you.
Like I have informed you before, you need to pay 1 month of rent + 1 month of warranty ($900 + $900 = $1,800), but that month of warranty you will receive back after you finish the contract. The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for the whole period that the contact will be signed for.
The rent will be paid monthly, to my bank account and the utility bills are paid directly from my bank account
In order to view the flat and settle a deal, you will need the keys, and the contract.
Since I am unable to come to US personally, and my daughter is already back here, I've hired a major real estate agency specialized in international rentals, to represent me.
They are called Real-Estate and their website is: http://www.Realtor.com
This agency will offer you an inspection of the apartment, and handle the payments and documents.
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact the company Realtor.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Realtor.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Realtor.com account. They will hold and marry your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Realtor.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process.
The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 2 working days. You will be given a 5 days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to Authorize Realtor.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Realtor.com to return the funds to you. Through I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If everything is ok, please email me the details that I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I look forward to your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.
Best greetings!
I asked about the maintenance responsibilities, and sent my name and address.
I researched Realtor.com and found it to be a legitimate company in good standing.
I got the following response on 1/09/2012:
No problem
I have sent your info at Realtor.com and they should get in touch with you soon with all the instructions to complete the deposit to the Realtor.com Agent.
Please let me know when you hear from them.
Thanks
and again:
Hy
Realtor.com company just noticed me that you have received the payment invoice.... Please check your new mails or spam-folder!
I wait to your replay!
She was not answering my question about maintenance. I followed up by asking again.
This was my email:
Thank you, I will follow up with my husband.
Can you explain your maintenance policy? Please see my question below.
Can you please fill me in on the maintenance you require? Is this for
general living in the apartment maintenance like light bulbs, and
accidental damages, or for example, if some plumbing goes bad that has
nothing to do with my husband and I, would we be required to fix that?
This was her response:
Yes but you need to send the confirmation of payment to company and after they will send you the keys. In 2 day you will receive the keys
Let me know
I finally googled Alycia Campbell.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM HER. IT IS A SCAM.
I FOUND EMAILS EXACTLY LIKE MINE WITH PRICES AND LOCATIONS SUBSTITUTED.
THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM.
I am glad I did not hand over 1,800 I would never see again.
http://cambridge-massachusetts.olx.com/ ... d-65956748
I got the following response on 1/06/2012:
Hello,
Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hearing from you. I am Alycia Campbell, the owner of the apartment you are making inquiry .
I bought this apartment for my daughter during her studies in US, but now she's back home (London/United Kingdom) permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time.
Before we go any further I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, and for how long.
The flat is exactly like in the pictures. Also, very important, the utilities (cold/hot water, electricity, wireless broadband Internet, digital TV, 1 parking spots, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are INCLUDED in the price of $900 per month. The warranty is also $900 and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment (you will have to give me at least 30 days notice). As for me, you can rest assured that I will never ask you to leave the apartment. My daughter is building her life here, and i am too old to move to US, so we won't disturb you.
So i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own, is that taken, I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be happy to see it neat when i come for a check up.I do that once in a while.I want have trust in you as i always stand by my words
Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better.
My name is Alycia Campbell and I'm a 58 years old graphic designer from London/United Kingdom, planning to retire in the next 2 years.
I have a lovely husband, David and a 25 year old daughter, Linda. I am very proud to say that soon I'm going to be a grandmother.
Another member of our family is a 8 year old Labrador which we all love, so, I have no problem if you will keep pets.
Unfortunately, my health and undergoing treatment don't allow me to do any travelling for the next few months, so I will not be able to come and meet you personally for a while.
Since I'm here we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are asking for. 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 2 days. The solution is provided by a company called Realtor.com , which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys..
But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from London (on my expense of course).
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and i will send you the details step by step
All the best from London!
Alycia Campbell
I followed up with info about my husband and I.
We got the following response on Jan. 8th
Thank you for your reply.
After analysing all the applications together with my husband, we decided that you would be suitable to rent the apartment. We can start with a basic 1 year contract with the possibility of renewing it or with the period of time suitable for you.
Like I have informed you before, you need to pay 1 month of rent + 1 month of warranty ($900 + $900 = $1,800), but that month of warranty you will receive back after you finish the contract. The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for the whole period that the contact will be signed for.
The rent will be paid monthly, to my bank account and the utility bills are paid directly from my bank account
In order to view the flat and settle a deal, you will need the keys, and the contract.
Since I am unable to come to US personally, and my daughter is already back here, I've hired a major real estate agency specialized in international rentals, to represent me.
They are called Real-Estate and their website is: http://www.Realtor.com
This agency will offer you an inspection of the apartment, and handle the payments and documents.
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact the company Realtor.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Realtor.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Realtor.com account. They will hold and marry your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Realtor.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process.
The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 2 working days. You will be given a 5 days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to Authorize Realtor.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Realtor.com to return the funds to you. Through I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If everything is ok, please email me the details that I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I look forward to your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.
Best greetings!
I asked about the maintenance responsibilities, and sent my name and address.
I researched Realtor.com and found it to be a legitimate company in good standing.
I got the following response on 1/09/2012:
No problem
I have sent your info at Realtor.com and they should get in touch with you soon with all the instructions to complete the deposit to the Realtor.com Agent.
Please let me know when you hear from them.
Thanks
and again:
Hy
Realtor.com company just noticed me that you have received the payment invoice.... Please check your new mails or spam-folder!
I wait to your replay!
She was not answering my question about maintenance. I followed up by asking again.
This was my email:
Thank you, I will follow up with my husband.
Can you explain your maintenance policy? Please see my question below.
Can you please fill me in on the maintenance you require? Is this for
general living in the apartment maintenance like light bulbs, and
accidental damages, or for example, if some plumbing goes bad that has
nothing to do with my husband and I, would we be required to fix that?
This was her response:
Yes but you need to send the confirmation of payment to company and after they will send you the keys. In 2 day you will receive the keys
Let me know
I finally googled Alycia Campbell.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM HER. IT IS A SCAM.
I FOUND EMAILS EXACTLY LIKE MINE WITH PRICES AND LOCATIONS SUBSTITUTED.
THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM.
I am glad I did not hand over 1,800 I would never see again.
