Phone caller wanted to rent weeks...scam??

[mangosink]

My MIL got a phone call today from someone (she doesn't know who it was) saying they could see that she had several weeks she wasn't using and that he wanted to rent some for $10,000. Are there known scams like this? I've told her it has to be a scam, but I'd like to send her something to read about it.

Thanks!

Hollie

 

[DeniseM]

Pure scam - They will ask for a high upfront fee, and ride off into the sunset with her money, never to be heard from again. This is a very common scam.

 

[mangosink]

Pure scam - They will ask for a high upfront fee, and ride off into the sunset with her money, never to be heard from again. This is a very common scam.

What is the premise that they use to ask for money from her when she's the one with the item to sell? Strange.... Thanks! I told her to run and not look back!

 

[DeniseM]

What is the premise that they use to ask for money from her when she's the one with the item to sell? Strange.... Thanks! I told her to run and not look back!

Usually, it's a bogus registration fee for their rental services, or they might call it taxes, commission, or anything - scammers are creative.

Guaranteed - if she does this, she will lose every cent she pays them. Reputable brokers do not charge upfront fees.

 

[csxjohn]

You can do a search here on TUG, here is one thread from doing such a search.

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229398&highlight=rental+scam

 

[TUGBrian]

noone legitimate in this industry makes cold calls.

 

[mangosink]

noone legitimate in this industry makes cold calls.

Well, I think he was pretending to be just a random person who wanted to purchase a week?

 

[DeniseM]

Well, I think he was pretending to be just a random person who wanted to purchase a week?

Doesn't matter - if there is ANY fee to your mom at all, it is a scam. Remember - these people lie all day for a living, and they prey on vulnerable elderly people.

 

[mangosink]

He didn't mention a fee, but I'm sure he would have give the chance.

 

[DeniseM]

He didn't mention a fee, but I'm sure he would have give the chance.

These guys are smart, they wait until they have the victim completely hooked and salivating for the big check, and then the fee comes up. There is zero doubt about this - it's a scam.

 

[Ty1on]

Well, I think he was pretending to be just a random person who wanted to purchase a week?

Why would a random person wanting to purchase a week have your mom's phone number?

 

[theo]

Run, run away...

He didn't mention a fee, but I'm sure he would have give the chance.

Actually, well-practiced scammers usually wait for the bait to actually be taken before setting the hook (...if you'll pardon the fishing analogy).
Once the hook is "set", then suddenly necessary (but entirely mythical) "fees" somehow need to be paid out of pocket before they can disappear "close the deal".

Tell MIL to lace up her running shoes, step lively and move quickly --- in the opposite direction. There is simply no chance that this unsolicited contact is legitimate.

 

[PamMo]

I just got off the phone with these guys. They call themselves "Resort Property Management" and said they are a division of RCI, which is a total lie! I never heard his spiel, because I cut him off as soon as he said his company wants to rent my unused RCI weeks for a large profit. (Yeah, right.) Caller ID identified the call came from Jonesboro, GA - phone number (678)619-0165.

 

[pedro47]

I just got off the phone with these guys. They call themselves "Resort Property Management" and said they are a division of RCI, which is a total lie! I never heard his spiel, because I cut him off as soon as he said his company wants to rent my unused RCI weeks for a large profit. (Yeah, right.) Caller ID identified the call came from Jonesboro, GA - phone number (678)619-0165.

I rec'd this same phone call plus a letter. SCAM !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[melissaj]

Scam

Yes, nothing but a scam!
Unsolicited phone calls and money upfront are the first signs of scam.

 

[Ty1on]

Yes, nothing but a scam!
Unsolicited phone calls and money upfront are the first signs of scam.

Since we seem to be jumping to dispute every post you make, I wanted to say that you are 100% correct on this one.

 

[LannyPC]

Since we seem to be jumping to dispute every post you make, I wanted to say that you are 100% correct on this one.

Actually, I would dispute melissaj's statement (albeit very slightly) where she says "Unsolicited phone calls and money upfront are the first signs of scam." I would say unsolicited phone calls and an offer for way above market value are the first signs. The upfront money pitch comes afterward.

 

[Ty1on]

Actually, I would dispute melissaj's statement (albeit very slightly) where she says "Unsolicited phone calls and money upfront are the first signs of scam." I would say unsolicited phone calls and an offer for way above market value are the first signs. The upfront money pitch comes afterward.

True, the scammers don't seem to have had a learning disability where the upfront red flag is concerned.

 

[TUGBrian]

all the cold calls have similar descriptions/pitches.

but they all include:

1. an offer at a ridiculous price (the bait)
2. are someone or some company you cannot verify the legitimacy of, for instance saying they "represent" a known legitimate company, or claiming the call is for a friend/relative
3. you will always eventually be asked for some bit of personal information and or money to send out of pocket. this has a variety of flavors ranging from the "sending you a check to cash for more than the asking price" to "legitimate" sounding taxes or fees to be paid BEFORE you can get paid.

its always always always a scam.