[2009] Rental Scam

[funtime]

Craigs List is the wild, wild west that makes ebay look like an ol fuddy duddy bank. Ebay has "feedback" which you can check and a dispute resolution procedure etc. That having been said, CL gets a lot of responses. We delete any doctors on their honeymoon automatically. As to legitimate renters, they are concerned that we are a scam - so we also set up an ebay ad (usually for $50 more to cover ebay costs) and then email the craigs lister and give them the choice of going through us - via paypal - or going through our ebay ad. Some choose the ebay ad and others are just calmed down because we are an established ebayer. So we will continue to use Craig's List - especially for last, last minute rentals - like in the next two weeks or so. However, we are vigilent against scammers. Funtime

 

[calgarygary]

No I have a pretty secure password and free long distance.

Thanks.

Not many people have free long distance for calls originating in Nigeria!

 

[scooter]

I have a Vistana Resort unit for rent on Craig's list for spring break and got an email from a "Collins Bright" who asked if it could be available for a week starting the first Wednesday in January for he and his wife's honymoon. I told him it could be avaialable for the first week of January but would need to be a Friday, Sat, or Sunday check in. I thought it was a scam from the language of the request and then got this reply:

"Thanks for your prompt response.I have discussed this with my Wife
about this and we have agreed to use your place and as for the cost,
we are alright with it. My Wife's employers will be responsible for
all our vacation expenses as a wedding gift and they have promised to
send you a certified check as soon as you have penned these dates down
for us. Kindly email me your full name,physical address, home and cell
phone numbers so that the payment can be mailed out to you as soon as
possible.
Waiting to read from you soon.Have a great week ahead.
Regards"

I replied that due to the short time to check in that payment must be made by PayPal and am awaiting reply from him. I'll bet that this is a scam and that I'd receive a worthless cashier's check that would bounce a month down the road after it's too late. The language sounds like someone who does not live in the US but I could be wrong.

I just got the EXACT same come on from 'Collins Bright' re: my week at Atlantis, which was then followed up with (as we are presently as Atlantis) "The Fedex envelope was signed for at your office". I said as soon as the check cleared I would discuss where the difference was to be sent. Ten yesterday I got as screaming email that I was holding up his travel documents as I had not sent the money on thru western union. After speaking to my secretary I sent the following:
1. No check has arrived let alone 'been signed for'
2. I Have asked you on multiple times for your contact info to draw up a contract which you have declined to do
3. This is a well known scam
4. I have reported you to craigs list


what a surprise Mr Collins Bright of Africa has not replied. *Crickets chirping*

 

[Sandi Bo]

Susan Taylor is looking for a rental

The original response for my craigslist ad was better than most scammers. Family of 3 looking for a vacation rental. The scammers do seem to be getting better at the initial email (well some of them).

Funny thing about this one is that my ad was not for a specific resort and she did not say where she wanted to go. Apparently her husbands employer will pay for them to go anywhere they choose

I asked what resort she was interested in, and here is her response (typical, at first these were slightly amusing, now they are tiring... ):

Many thanks for your last message.This is to bring to your notice that
we are booking (Nov 6 to 12).Myself,my husband and our kid are coming
from Germany. My Husband employer is in the state and they are
sponsoring our Trip,So the payment will come directly from my Husband
employer which will be inform of a Cashier or Certified bank check and
will be delivered to you via UPS or FEDEX courier service within 2 to
3 working days.So i would want you to kindly get back to
me with your mailing information to enable the mailing out of the
paycheck ontime.Here are the information needed for the mailing out of
the check...

1.Full name which you want to appear on the check:
2.Address (not P.O Box):
3.City:
4.State:
5. Zip Code:
6: Cell number:
7. Total Amount:

The agreement form will be filled out on our arrival to your location
because we do not want to fill any form online so that our physical
signature will not appear but you can send it for our review and we
would get it filled on our arrival.

HERE IS OUR CONTACT ADDRESS BELLOW:

Mr and Mrs Taylor.
Mainzer Landstr. 321 Frankfurt
am Main 65933, Germany.

Warm Regards.
Susan Taylor.

 

[northwoodsgal]

laura huddlestone <laura.huddlestone01@gmail.com>


Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response.
The price and condition is okay by us.
We are coming from Manchester UK.
We are ready to make payment and secure the booking reservation.
Its a sponsored trip so my boss will be sending a bank check.
The check will clear at your bank before our arrival.
I need you to get back to me with your full name and full address.
AS you want it written on the check.
So that it can be issued and sent to you right away without delay.
Do so that we can proceed.
Waiting to read from you.
Thanks.

The message above was received today in response to a Craigslist ad I had just posted. It didn't seem quite right so I did a search on TUG. So thankful for TUG!!

 

[chapjim]

laura huddlestone <laura.huddlestone01@gmail.com>


Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response.
The price and condition is okay by us.
We are coming from Manchester UK.
We are ready to make payment and secure the booking reservation.
Its a sponsored trip so my boss will be sending a bank check.
The check will clear at your bank before our arrival.
I need you to get back to me with your full name and full address.
AS you want it written on the check.
So that it can be issued and sent to you right away without delay.
Do so that we can proceed.
Waiting to read from you.
Thanks.

The message above was received today in response to a Craigslist ad I had just posted. It didn't seem quite right so I did a search on TUG. So thankful for TUG!!

Good grief! You mean they are back with that stupid thing about the boss paying for the trip? I haven't seen that in a long time.