Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: Stephanie Hills - [email protected]
To: Con Warner
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: $1675 / 2br - Spacious & Sunny 2BR & 2 Full Bath two level unit (mountain view)

Hi,

My apologies for the delay! I have been very busy the last few days. The good news is that the unit is still available . There was a potential renter who had significant interest in the property, but he got evicted from previous apartment, so we need to start showing it again, as we want to get it rented ASAP. Considering you had emailed us initially, regarding the rental, we are giving you first right of refusal.

The unit is in excellent condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to take a quick look at the property, regardless, our policy is not to divulge the address, as there are some lunatics in the world with bad intentions. The last time we gave out the address without verifying the prospective tenant. We don't want that to happen again. I’ll confirm what you probably already know this property is gorgeous! A unit like this would typically go for much more, but again, I need to lease it immediately, which is why the lease rate is a tremendous value.

The utilities are intact and can be switched over to you once the lease is signed. You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone - if you decide to have these services. Pets are allowed but just need to know the size and breed for our records. The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched to a 6-month lease, if that is more favorable. The only requirement is that you send us 30 days notice, when you want to move out of the unit.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. The scores are insignificant – we realize many folks have had foreclosures, bankruptcy, etc. For insurance purposes, we are required to have a report on file from every prospective tenant. Here is the link: http://123link.info/dd387608cb6e50de3da0ec2b77496a1c1

The only pages we require are regarding your rental history. You just need to bring that to your appointment to see the property.

My availability over the next few days is going to be constrained, but I will try to be available between 10am and 8pm. After you have completed the online process, let me know that you have a hard copy and I can schedule an appointment at the rental.

See you soon!

Stephanie Hills

The link that you are asked to click is possibly a phishing site in which your personal details are harvested for identity theft.
Sometimes these links go to an actual credit report company that pays the scammer a small amount for your custom.
After visiting the site and replying to this person, the scam begins.

This person then asks for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment either to him, your friend or a family member.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, this person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or Moneygram with the promise that they will send the keys through a courier company.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.

If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.

I got one. This was the craiglist ad:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/abo/3374946900.html

here's the email:


Stephanie Hills [email protected]
12:09 PM (7 minutes ago)

to me
Hello,

I'm sorry for the delay! I was very busy last few days. The good news is that the property is still available . There was a person who had serious interest in the property, but he had bad marks on his credit report, so we need to start showing it again, as we want to get it leased as soon as we can. Considering you had emailed us initially, regarding the rental, we are giving you first right of refusal.

The unit is in great condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to take a quick look at the property, regardless, our policy is not to divulge the address, as there are some lunatics in the world with bad intentions. The last time we gave out the address without verifying the prospective tenant. We don't want that to happen again. I’ll confirm what you probably already know this property is gorgeous! A leasing like this would typically go for much more, but again, we need to lease it asap, which is why the lease rate is a tremendous value.

The utilities are intact and can be switched over to you once the lease is signed. You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone - if you decide to have these services. Pets are allowed but just need to know the size and breed for our records. The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched to a 6-month lease, if that is more favorable. The only requirement is that you send us 30 days notice, when you want to move out of the unit.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. The scores are insignificant – we realize many folks have had foreclosures, bankruptcy, etc. For insurance purposes, we are required to have a report on file from every prospective tenant. Here is the link: http://zzzlnk.info/89d5c3658a79369a59b615463fd6f681

The only pages we require are regarding your rental history. You just need to bring that to your appointment to see the property.

My availability over the next few days is going to be constrained, but I will try to be available between 10am and 8pm. After you have completed the online process, let me know that you have a hard copy and I can schedule an appointment at the rental.

See you soon!

Hi,
I received the same email in response to a C/L posting for a 2 bedroom in Hidden Hills - well, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Lesson learned. Just happy that I know how to avoid being scammed!

After sending in a detailed email with interest in this property I got this response. It was clear my email had not been read along with other red flags. First thing i do when investigating any email responses for enquires is google the email address, it normally reveals a lot. which this one did.

I have also highlighted things on the email that were suspicious to help others understand what to look for, my friend recently got scammed out of $2000 for a rental apartment.

Thanks.



Hi,

I'm sorry for the delay! So many thing I had to do over the course of the last few days. The good news is that the unit is still available . There was a person who had significant interest in the rental, but he had bad marks on his credit report, so we need to start showing it again, as we want to get it leased ASAP. Considering you had emailed us first, regarding the property, we are giving you first right of refusal.

The unit is in excellent condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to take a quick look at the property, regardless, our policy is not to divulge the address, as there are some lunatics in the world with bad intentions. The last time we gave out the address without verifying the prospective tenant. We don't want that to happen again. I’ll confirm what you probably already know this property is gorgeous! A property like this would typically go for much more, but again, we need to lease it immediately, which is why the lease rate is a tremendous value.

The utilities are intact and can be switched over to you once the lease is signed. You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone - if you decide to have these services. Pets are allowed but just need to know the size and breed for our records. (i already told them details of my dog, telling me someone did not read my email, and this was copy n paste) The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched to a 6-month lease, if that is more favorable. The only requirement is that you send us 30 days notice, when you want to move out of the unit.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. The scores are insignificant – we realize many folks have had foreclosures, bankruptcy, etc. For insurance purposes, we are required to have a report on file from every prospective tenant. Here is the link: http://zzzlnk.info/cee5c0d2eda58c7bbf469ff8bd1d3639 ( in the opening of the email she says a tenant was not chosen for marks on credit and now its not important)

The only pages we require are regarding your rental history. You just need to bring that to your appointment to see the property.

My availability over the next few days is going to be constrained, but I will try to be available between 10am and 8pm. After you have completed the online process, let me know that you have a hard copy and I can schedule an appointment at the rental.

See you soon!



Mod edit: Corrected formatting - CW