Geez I stupidly fell for this, what should I do next?

Below is the email I received after inquiring about an apartment for rent. Without thinking, I STUPIDLY clicked the credit report link and proceeded to purchase the $1 credit report. The information I provided was my name, address, credit card information for the purchase and SSN. They did in fact provide me with a report and access to their website, so to me it looks like the scammer is an affiliate of the website.

That said I did something even dumber, to get "her" the credit info quicker I sent her a screenshot of the credit report, while it doesn't contain complete account numbers I'm obviously very concerned and wondering what steps I should take. I'm thinking of having all my credit card numbers changed, but not sure what else needs to be done - the credit report correctly lists every account I have which is what makes me think it is a somewhat legitimate site and the scammer is an affiliate, my car loan account, credit cards, and my checking account (although again the full account numbers are not listed). Thoughts on what I should do to make sure I'm safe?

Below is the email, it's apparently well known as I found this site by trying to google it.

Hello,

I appreciate your interest. The good news is that the rental is still available. There was a potential leaser who had great 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 rented immediately. Considering you had contacted 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 give out the address, as the current tenants are still there. We do not want to disturb them as they are moving out currently. I can confirm what you probably already know this property is gorgeous! A property like this would typically go for much more, but again, I need to lease it right now, 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 or even a 3-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 order your credit report for a few bucks. We use the credit report to determine the % you pay for the security deposit and possibly pay no security deposit if your credit is above 700! Here is the link:
http://credit-link.info/dcb116affcf95f3 ... b1a04da818 ? mod note: disabled link - CW

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.

Have a good day and see you soon!

Joyce Williams, Property Manager

Many of these are simply after affiliate fees and nothing more. But, as we can't rule out identity theft, it is important you be proactive.

For starters, make sure you check the terms of your $1 credit report. Often, you are automatically signed up for a credit monitoring service with a recurring monthly charge (which is where the companies make their real money.) If this is the case, you need to make sure you follow the process to cancel and keep documentation of everything, as many of these companies are quick to respond to new sign-ups and virtually impossible to find to cancel.

Then, you probably want to go ahead and consider putting at least a fraud alert on your credit report. There is more information on how to do that here: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft

Last, if you have email address for "Joyce Williams," please post it. Then just cut off all contact with the scammers. There is no apartment for rent anyway.

Thanks, and I'm looking into the credit report subscription right now.

And here is the email address the scam came from: Joyce Williams [email protected]

The scam is money for fake delivery of keys, security deposit etc. Of course the only thing you will get is the magic words "Western Union". Take normal precautions regarding cards and if material for scams comes by post or email then destroy or block. The report is probably more like window dressing to occupy you rather than have you look at the scam closely.

The unit is in excellent condition.

Sounds like an industrial unit.

our policy is not to give out the address, as the current tenants are still there. We do not want to disturb them as they are moving out currently.

I see they want to rent a place no one is allowed to see. They won't tell you because either it does not exist, or it stops people taking a look and asking questions. Now what property owner in right mind is going to be sending off keys to strangers on Internet? Other reports of this use different site links.This is for Google search.

We know a lot of prospective renters want to take a quick look at the property, regardless, our policy is not to give out the address, as the current tenants are still there. We do not want to disturb them as they are moving out currently.

I see they want to rent a place no one is allowed to see. They won't tell you because either it does not exist, or it stops people taking a look and asking questions. Now what property owner in right mind is going to be sending off keys to strangers on Internet?

Yeah, the way I fell for it was that they weren't asking for any money (YET), and the credit reporting site is very similar to many others out there and the cost was $1 so I just went through with it without thinking.

Later when I re-read the email "she" sent me, I realized the wording of the entire thing was a bit off and that's when I started googling which lead me here.

The risk is that the charge will amount to more than the $1 that you think it will be, and you may find it recurring.

Don't input your card details on a site you don't know. Many legitimate sites give you a free 'taster' subscription and they can be a lot more difficult to get cancelled than you might believe.

Go back to the site and follow whatever instructions they give about cancelling and keep copies of what you've done. You may find it necessary to cancel your card, but certainly keep a close eye on what's put through it.

Any time someone claims they can't show you a property for various reasons, it's a huge red flag. You can look up leasing and rental laws for your area but both Canada and large portions of the United States only require the owner of the property or the property management to give 24 hours notice to the tenant to let them know they are going to be entering the property for maintenance, to show it to potential renters, etc.