Rental Scammer - Alice King [email protected]

Split - CW

I responded to a craigslist ad today and I thought the reply was a rather long judging from the timeframe between when I sent my email and received the reply. It was almost immediate! This raised a red flag so I decided to look up the credit score website. Thank God I found this forum. Here is the listing:

$855 / 1br - ULTRA NICE ONE BEDROOM APT WITH UTILITIES AND PARKING INCLUDED (Chevy Chase)

Vibrant, open one BR
Full tiled bathroom
Giant living room
Walk in closet
Washers/Dryers work on first floor
Really close to the bus
Every utility included in the rent
Heating / AC work.
Ready immediately

And this is the reply

From: Alice King [email protected]
Subject: RE: ULTRA NICE ONE BEDROOM APT WITH UTILITIES AND PARKING INCLUDED

Hi,

I hope you are having a wonderful day. Here's some good news: the apartment's still available! We thought we had the place leased to a couple we showed it to today, but now it seems that they changed their mind, so we need to rent it as soon as possible. You were the second one to show interest about it.

I am sure you will want to do a walkthrough of the property, but my husband doesn't want me to advertise the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, it was broken into and vandalized. We don't want that to happen again! You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property. The rental term is 12 month lease, but can be switched into a half year term if preferred. We require one month notice before moving out, as a courtesy.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request a copy of your free credit score. We recommend this site because all of our tenants used it and never had any problems. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. What is in the report isn't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure there are no previous property related issues. You can get your free credit score at CLICK HERE

Remember, we only need to see the page about the rental history. That's all we need to see at the showing. We typically waive the security deposit with a rating of 560+.

Once you let me know that you have your credit history ready, then I'll personally schedule a showing of the place. Once you see it, you'll fall in love!

Thanks,
Alice King

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.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

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.

So the affiliate scam strikes again.

You were right that the response came too fast--the scammer just cuts and pastes the response, or may even have it set up as an autoresponse.

Here's a previous example, with a little more information as to how the scam works:
http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=14545

HI, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT A SITUATION WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR AN APARTMENT TO RENT AND RECIEVED THIS MAIL... OF THIS SAME PERSON... THOUGH THE MAIL I ASKED FOR INFO WAS ANOTHER... I DID ENTER TO THE LINK AND GAVE ALL THE INFO THEY ASKED... I THEN TRYED TO CANCEL DE SUBSCRIPTION TO SIMPLECREDIT SOLUTION AND THOUGH I TA;KED TO A REPRESENTATIVE AND HE VERBALLY GAVE ME A CONFIRMATION NUMBER OF THE CANCELLATION HE NEVER MAILED ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EVEN THOUGH I ASKED FOR THE MAIL WHERE THERE WAS A PROVE OF THE CANCELLATION... BUT WHAT I AM MORE CONCERED ABOUT, IS THAT THEY ASKED FOR MY SS NUMBER AND NOW I DONT KNOW IF THIS SOME WAY OF ID THEFT
CAN YOU TELL ME PLEASE WHAT CAN I DO ? HOW WILL I KNOW IF THEY ARE USING MY ID? SHOULD I CONTACT DE SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE ?
THANK YOU
Removed (BW)

Hello,
I hope things are good. The good news is that the apartment is still available! We thought we had the place leased to a couple we showed it to today, but now it seems that they changed their mind, so we need to lease it as soon as possible. You were the second one to show interest about it.
I am sure you will want to do a walkthrough of the property, but my husband doesn't want me to advertise the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, the empty property was broken into and vandalized. As you can imagine, we want to avoid that! You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property. The rental term is 12 month lease, but can be switched into a half year term if preferred. We just ask that you give us fair notice if you are moving out.
When you're ready to schedule an appointment to see the place, then please go to the link below to grab your free credit score. We recommend this site because all of our tenants used it and never had any problems. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. What is in the report isn't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure there are no previous property related issues. You can get your free credit score at CLICK HERE
Keep in mind that we are only interested in the page about the rental history. That's all we need to see at the showing. We'll also waive your security deposit if we see that your rating is above 550+.
Once you let me know that you have your credit history ready, then I'll personally schedule a showing of the place. I know that you'll love it!
See you soon,
Alice King

From: Removed (BW)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Great Location, Awesome Apartments and Service You Deserve! 1 BR
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:49:58 +0000

HI
I AM INTERESTED IN THE APARTMENT THAT YOU POST.
WHERE IS THE ADRESS?
WHEN CAN WE SEE IT?
IS IT AVALIABLE?

THANKS

Removed (BW)

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/apa/4321647912.html

PLEASE HEED THIS SCAM WARNING RE: [email protected]... emails from this address/similar language/traits in correspondence/nature of the scam detailed below are fraudulent.

I responded to the below ad from [email protected] (henceforth referred to as ALICE THE THIEF) past midnight February 19th, 2014 on Craigslist Northern Virginia/Washington, DC:

$1035 / 1br - FURNISHED/UNFURNISHED CONDO AVAILABLE FOR LEASE (Springfield)[

Today you witness superb living in the city. The place has treated water. I can't stress enough how amazing the living area is. I include all utilities in the rent price. Request personal tours over email for the fastest response.

ALICE THE THIEF WROTE ME THE FOLLOWING EMAIL:

Alice King <[email protected]>
10:01 AM (15 hours ago)
to me

Hi,

I hope things are good. Here's some good news: the apartment's still available! We thought we had the place rented to a couple we showed it to today, but now it seems that they changed their mind, so we need to lease it as soon as possible. You were the second one to email me about it.

I am sure you will want to do a walkthrough of the property, but my husband doesn't want me to advertise the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, it was broken into and vandalized. As you can imagine, we want to avoid that! You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property. The rental term is one year, but can be switched into a half year lease if preferred. We require one month notice before moving out, as a courtesy.

When you're ready for a personal appointment, then please go to the link below and grab your free credit score. We recommend this site because all of our tenants used it and never had any problems. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. What is in the report isn't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure there are no previous property related issues. You can get your free credit score at CLICK HERE

Keep in mind that we are only interested in the page about the rental history. That's all we need to see at the showing. We typically waive the security deposit with a score of 550+.

Please let me know when you grab your credit history. I can then schedule you for a showing of the place. Once you see it, you'll fall in love!

See you soon,
Alice King

I was absolutely not going to give my credit report to a perfect stranger. I even called the credit company ALICE THE THIEF provided (simplecreditsolution.com) and asked about their services since they are not one of the three reputable credit bureaus. The customer service rep was less than knowledgeable.

The first red flag was that (s)he wanted my credit report. I was also dubious because the advertisement didn't include pertinent details about the property.

I responded to ALICE THE THIEF in a cautious manner:

Alice,

Thank you for your prompt reply; what a fortunate turn of events that the other renters passed. I can easily assume the cost for cable in addition to the rent. I am excited to see the apartment and am available to visit as early as today. My credit meets your qualifications and I will happily procure a copy to present to you upon our meeting. If you would like verification before then I can take a screen shot of my credit score number and attach it to an email.

I have a few questions I hope you won't mind indulging:

What is the square footage of your property?
Is their reserved parking? Is it covered?
Is the property in Springfield or Reston (the map was confusing)?
Is it a first story property?

Thank you very much Alice. I hope we are able to meet today. Please don't hesitate to phone for any reason.

Best,

Not that stupid

SILENCE. ALICE THE THIEF NEVER RESPONDED. Scammers don't correspond further with people interested in protecting their credit or that question the property that is ostensibly for rent.

Bad (likely painful) Karma is coming his/her way...I like to envision this person penning their future scams with an inflamed case of herpes and only one eye after losing the other to an enraged victim.

To: Removed (BW)

I'm sorry this happened to you. (ALICE IS THE DEVIL.) Years ago my social security number was stolen from the mail; it was a laborious process to restore my good credit. In order to save yourself from destructive identity theft you need to call all your credit cards and bank account fraud departments immediately and report this; they will close your accounts and issue new ones. You also need to contact the three reputable credit agencies to report you have been a victim of fraud and identity theft. For some time you will need to monitor your credit reports, credit card statements and checking/savings accounts to make sure all deductions were made by you and that new credit cards, loans, cell phone plans (that is what happened to me) were not opened in your name with your social security number.


This link will guide you to phone numbers for Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Bureau Fraud Departments: http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/fraud_numbers.html

Good Luck!

Thanks for this information. My friend was almost a victim of this also.
I hope everything is fine now for you. We just need to be more vigilant I guess.

This scam is still active. I was suspicious of the mail server (mailsdata?), the lack of a physical address, as well as the link to the credit site (just enter all of your personal information and a credit card #) a quick internet search revealed that this was a total scam! I received the below email when I responded to a Craigslist ad for an apartment rental in DC:

Hi,

How's your day going? The good news is that the apartment is still available! We thought we had the place rented to a couple we showed it to today, but now it seems that they changed their mind, so we need to lease it as soon as possible. You were the second one to show interest about it.

I am sure you will want to do a walkthrough of the place, but my husband doesn't want me to advertise the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, it was broken into and vandalized. We don't want that to happen again! You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property. The rental term is 12 month lease, but can be switched into a half year term if preferred. We require one month notice before moving out, as a courtesy.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request a copy of your free credit score. All of our tenants use this site because Transunion is widely trusted. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. What is in the report isn't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure there are no previous property related issues. You can get your free credit score at CLICK HERE

Keep in mind that we are only interested in the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing. We'll waive your security deposit if your score is above 570+.

Once you let me know that you have your credit history ready, then I'll personally schedule a walk through of the place. Once you see it, you'll fall in love!

Thanks,
Alice King

"Harris Minch" sold the property, but his "wife" replied with this.

Hello,

I hope things are good. Here's some good news: the apartment's still available! We thought we had the place rented to a couple we showed it to today, but now it seems that they changed their mind, so we need to rent it as soon as possible. You were the second one to show interest about it.

I am sure you will want to do a walkthrough of the place, but my husband doesn't want me to advertise the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, it was broken into and vandalized. As you can imagine, we want to avoid that! You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property. The rental term is one year, but can be switched into a half year term if preferred. We require one month notice before moving out, as a courtesy.

When you're ready for a personal appointment, then please go to the link below and grab your free credit score. We recommend this site because all of our tenants used it and never had any problems. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. What is in the report isn't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure there are no previous property related issues. You can get your free credit score at CLICK HERE

Keep in mind that we are only interested in the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing. We'll waive your security deposit if your score is above 560+.

Once you let me know that you have your credit history ready, then I'll personally schedule a showing of the place. Once you see it, you'll fall in love!

See you soon,
Alice King



Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 18:14:50 -0400
Subject: Regarding Adams Morgan Unit
From: [DELETED BY USER]
To: [email protected]

Hi,

My name is [DELETED BY USER]. I came across a 2-bedroom Adams Morgan property listed on Craigslist for $1020.

Would you be able to call me at your earliest convenience to answer questions I have regarding some details on the leasing terms, living details and any other residual questions?

My cell phone is [DELETED BY USER].

I am available to talk any time this week. Please let me know if this property is available.

Thank you so much for your time.


https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc ... 02583.html