Craigslist scammers get smarter

The joys of apartment hunting! I figured I'd post a PSA on my blog about the latest Craigslist scam I encountered.

I'm looking in Rochester, NY. I don't know if it's happening elsewhere, please respond in the comments if it has. Please also include the email address and name that you got in the email.

UPDATE 9/10: Yowzas, I can't believe this scam is still going on. I've gotten comments from all over the country. If you've found this post you've probably Googled the text or email in a Craigslist post. I've found that the email wording changes slightly and the name it comes from does to. I can't keep up with all of them in the main post but if you comment with the name, email and test of the Craigslist posting and/or the text of the text of the email you received. 

It seems in late August/September most people are getting a scam response from MARY VANG, maryvang8483@live.com. IF YOU GET AN EMAIL BACK FROM HER AFTER RESPONDING TO A CRAIGSLIST POST DO NOT RESPOND. IT IS A SCAM!!!!

PREVIOUS UPDATE: A colleague tells me she's also gotten similar emails for properties in the Jersey Shore area. 

PREVIOUS UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has commented in the past few days! This scam has been reported in Charlotte, N.C.; Des Moines, Iowa; Utah; Atlanta, Georgia; Portland, Ore.; Boston, Mass.; and San Diego, Calif.

ORIGINAL POST: I've gotten this email back from at least 10 properties I've inquired about on Craigslist. It's the same email from a number of different email addresses, so I'm convinced it's a scam. The property owners will not give out the address, and the ones I emailed at least initially did not respond when I asked for a general location. The email directs you to a website that asks for a bunch of personal information.

It's a clever scam. The apartments are cheaper than the neighborhood advertised but not by so much that it's a red flag. They include a detailed description and sometimes photos. There is no phone number.

If you get one of the following emails back do not respond, it is a scam! They've had slightly different wording so I'll paste all in hopes that they'll come up if people Google the text. They have come from the following names and email addresses:

Karen Simons an.rentals@live.com

Andres Biggs duhaqygemu@hotmail.com

Lisa Scott lisascott@att.blackberry.com

Heather Pagano heatherpaganox@hotmail.com 

Marlys Major <iqitykypix@hotmail.com>

UPDATE from the comments: Most people have reported the scam coming from Karen Simons (an.rentals@live.com) but similar emails are also coming from:
Sammy Goldman zyvopefagazubim@hotmail.com
Karen Richardson

  

Various texts of the emails: 

This rental is still available, We had an offer from a person we first showed it to, but they decided to move out of town, so its still up for rent. You were the second one to email me about it.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request a copy of your rental/credit report. We use this company for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the free report. The actual scores on the report aren't important to us; we only want to make sure you don't have more then two evictions in the last six months.

Get your report here. http://localccs.com/5report

Remember, we only need to see the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing. So get that done and email be back so we can set up a showing.

Thank you once again for your interest!  

Hello,

I apologize for not responding to you earlier, I have been extremely busy the last few days. The good news is that the rental is still available! We thought we had the place rented to a couple we showed it to last week, 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 walk through 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. 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 6-month lease if preferred. We just ask that you give us fair notice if you are moving out. If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request a copy of your credit score. We use this site for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the score. Whats in the report aren'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. Get your report - CLICK HERE

Remember, we only need to see the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing.

As far as getting together to see the property goes, I am available to show it any time from 10:00 am on, for the next few days. Let me know once you have it printed out, and we will set up a time to do your walk-through. Thank you once again for your interest!  

Hello Jessica,

Thank you for your rental inquiry!

The rental is still available. We thougth we had the place rented to a couple we showed it to last week, 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 walk through of the property, but my family 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. 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.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and enter the Property ID in the search box.

Website Link: srrrentals.com/search/
(Copy and paste this link to your address bar if it is not clickable)

Your Property ID is: ZYopkBcMc

We use this site for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the online form and indicate that you want the free report. The actual scores aren'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.

As far as getting together to see the property goes, I am available to show it any time from 10:00 am on, for the next week. Let me know once you have it printed out, and we will set up a time to do your walk-through.

Thank you once again for your interest!

UPDATE 7/3: Got another one, from Heather Yode. Body of the email below.

Email came from: heatheryode@live.com

Hello Alaimo,,

Thank you inquiring about my apartment for rent, sorry for the delay in getting back to you - it is available for July or August move in (possibly September for the right tenant). I am scheduling viewings of the unit and would be interested in showing you around the building. I have attached a few pictures of the unit for you - the apartment is available furnished or unfurnished depending on your needs.

Due to poor renting experiences in the past I am requesting that you confirm you have a reasonable credit score and would like to hear more about your current employment to avoid dealing with under qualified tenants.

I would suggest getting a free report from http://www.freeuscreditscores.com which requires less than 3 minutes and has no cost. No viewings will be allowed until I have received your score, this will also be helpful for other properties you are looking at and is a standard in pre-rental screening procedures.

I am asking that you complete the report and provide me with the numerical score, please DO NOT send the report as it contains sensitive information, you can print it for your records and bring it with you to the viewing.

If you can also tell me a little bit about yourself, your interests, and hobbies I would be interested in hearing more about you. Please note that I have received quite a few emails already and have a few showings scheduled for later this week so the quicker you can get the report and drop by to view the unit the better.

I look forward to hearing back from you,

Heather