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: