Craigslist just can't seem to shake it's attraction to scams.

[WVBaker]

Pasadena couple loses $1,300+ in Ocean City rental scam

"A Pasadena couple had planned a relaxing week at the beach to celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. They signed a short-term rental agreement, paid their balance, but after arriving at the rental unit in Ocean City they quickly learned something was wrong."

https://www.wmar2news.com/business/consumer/pasadena-couple-loses-1300_-in-ocean-city-rental-scam

 

[vacationhopeful]

My sister's in-laws (now deceased) brought a real beachfront condo (not a TS interval) in Ocean City MD. It is very similiar in style as a TS building where her in-law's first brought a summer TS week in. I yearly run a Redweek ad for the TS condo .... for my sister who still handles the rental weeks for BOTH the TS unit and the full share condo. The full-share condo has regular REPEAT renters .. but some, skip a year or age out. I stayed offseason once when I babysat her 3 sons when the parents had a cross-country business event ... who wants to watch 3 boys playing video games non-stop .. I took them to the beach .. no video games allowed when travelling with me ... AND they never complain or disagree. My rules when at my house ... and those (game addicted) boys ALWAYS comply.

We did a FULL DAY of touring real estate agent's Open Houses of beachfront condos for sale on O.C., MD ... the 3 boys and I enjoyed our time seeing at least a DOZEN condos in different buildings. WAY more high rise condo buildings than I ever thought in that town. And we could have done another dozen MORE buildings & Open Houses .. but these boys and I were tired. Oh, we ONLY did 1 Open House at each condo building ... higher the better .. and ALL Ocean Front.

If you do that .. you can see the buildings and met MANY real estate agents .. year round. Or to find a future summer vacation week to rent.

 

[Egret1986]

Pasadena couple loses $1,300+ in Ocean City rental scam

"A Pasadena couple had planned a relaxing week at the beach to celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. They signed a short-term rental agreement, paid their balance, but after arriving at the rental unit in Ocean City they quickly learned something was wrong."

https://www.wmar2news.com/business/consumer/pasadena-couple-loses-1300_-in-ocean-city-rental-scam

I have been renting timeshares to renters on Craigslist for years. It's not the only place that I list, but it is a necessary evil because I do get a lot of renters from my CL listings. Yes, it's extra work most of the time, but it brings me renters.

As the woman that worked at the condo stated in the video; these scams are mostly from CL and it's people wiring strangers money.

I am able to provide what the potential renter needs to verify that the rental is legit. People will apologize for asking for so much proof that I'm not a scammer. No need to apologize. If you're not requiring information to verify as much as you possibly can and then utilizing a payment type that allows a dispute process, then it's on you as the renter. Folks know CL is notorious for scammers. Do your homework! It's your money. It's your vacation. C'mon now. Scammers hang out on CL because it works.

Craigslist just can't seem to shake it's attraction to scams.

That's because there is all that fresh meat so willing to hand over their cash to strangers without doing any due diligence or paying with a credit card/payment service where payments can be disputed.

 

[WVBaker]

With the large print type, and perhaps I'm mistaken, it seems I've offended you in some way. I assure you that was in no way my intention.

Craigslist has many reputable advertisers such as yourself. Undeniably though, Craigslist also has a reputation of being "notorious for scammers", as you noted. I would have hoped that the publication would have done more by now to try to prevent this from happening. And yes, this family should have taken steps to insure that the listing was legitimate. Unfortunately, many don't to take the time or understand the need to do so.

I'm glad you've had success with your listings and wish you nothing but the best. I tend to shy away from Craigslist but, that's just my choice.

 

[funtime]

I advertise on CL routinely. I frankly wish they would charge the owners for the listings some nominal amount. Would eliminate a lot of scammers and over posters. Sometimes see one listing repeated 10 times. In general all my renters from CL have been last minute lookers, and folks that want to split my weeks. Sometimes even when interested in my weeks, the renters are skeptical and insist on talking on the phone first. I have offered to move my post over to ebay if that makes them more comfortable if they pay the ebay listing fees. Usually I am able to chat them up and convince them that the vacation is legit. I have rented my weeks from CL many, many times. Redweek however is very productive, and even ebay will pull some good renters.

 

[DeniseM]

Any advertising site that has no accountability, will attract scammers. Sites like TUG and Redweek require registration and paid membership to post Ads - this filters out most scammers.

 

[Jan M.]

With the large print type, and perhaps I'm mistaken, it seems I've offended you in some way. I assure you that was in no way my intention.

Craigslist has many reputable advertisers such as yourself. Undeniably though, Craigslist also has a reputation of being "notorious for scammers", as you noted. I would have hoped that the publication would have done more by now to try to prevent this from happening. And yes, this family should have taken steps to insure that the listing was legitimate. Unfortunately, many don't to take the time or understand the need to do so.

I'm glad you've had success with your listings and wish you nothing but the best. I tend to shy away from Craigslist but, that's just my choice.

When I first started renting I listed on eBay, Redweek and Craigslist. I was unimpressed with Redweek and after several unsuccessful attempts to rent through them never used them again but they have come a long way in the 10 years since then. My experience with Craigslist was so horrible I've refused to list anything on there since or to have my rentals associated with them. I was tempted to give Craiglist another chance about 3 years ago but then my DIL was selling something and had the cashiers check scam attempted on her too. I've met other owners who only use Craigslist and have to admit I've been curious about how other people who rent successfully through Craigslist deal with the scammers and false replies to their ads. What to they know or do that I don't know how to do when it comes to Craigslist? Or are they just willing to put up with stuff that I won't?

 

[ronparise]

Craigslist was always my favorite advertising vehicle for my timeshare rentals. But it was real work to establish my credibility. I was always surprised when someone just sent me the money without checking me out.

One time I got a call from a couple that was walking the street in New Orleans. They had rented a house on the Internet but when they went to check in with their confirmation in hand the owner told them that his house was not for rent. I directed them to the timeshare where I knew there were vacant units. they were able to confirm with the front desk that, yes indeed I was for real. So while they were standing there I made the reservation and they paid me via PayPal and they got their key

The point is that there were two Craig’s list ads that week One was a scam and one wasn’t. The customer can’t know the difference without doing a little work. And they have to do the work

It’s not a Craig’s list problem, its a consumer problem

 

[ronparise]

When I first started renting I listed on eBay, Redweek and Craigslist. I was unimpressed with Redweek and after several unsuccessful attempts to rent through them never used them again but they have come a long way in the 10 years since then. My experience with Craigslist was so horrible I've refused to list anything on there since or to have my rentals associated with them. I was tempted to give Craiglist another chance about 3 years ago but then my DIL was selling something and had the cashiers check scam attempted on her too. I've met other owners who only use Craigslist and have to admit I've been curious about how other people who rent successfully through Craigslist deal with the scammers and false replies to their ads. What to they know or do that I don't know how to do when it comes to Craigslist? Or are they just willing to put up with stuff that I won't?

Its not hard to spot the attempted scams
Broken English and fantastic stories. Usually pretty clear they didn’t read the ad.

“I and my fiancée wish to very greatly stay in your very fine hotel in March. My fiancées employer is funding our visit to your very fine city and will send a cashiers check to your address
Please send your address and he will quickly send you it”

Just delete it

Ezpz

 

[Egret1986]

With the large print type, and perhaps I'm mistaken, it seems I've offended you in some way. I assure you that was in no way my intention.

No offense. I copy and pasted your title and then typed after it and had the large print. I failed to change the font not realizing that the font size would be misconstrued.