The Fake Landlord Scam
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My brother was scanning CraigsList when he found the perfect apartment: cheap, in a great neighborhood, and the landlord was offering all sorts of extras.
Turns out the listing was fake (though the apartment was real). Something on CraigsList that’s not on the up-and-up? Shocking, I know. How did my brother find out? When he inquired about the rental, he got an e-mail asking for his Social Security number, driver’s license info, bank account details, etc. so they could run a “credit check” – and he knew something was amiss.
Yes, that’s the kind of information a prospective landlord is likely to ask for (legitimately) – but only when you meet him in person and after you have seen the property. And what have you learned about e-mailed requests for personal information from people you don’t know? That’s right, you’re probably dealing with an identity thief who’s doing some “phishing.”
It turns out that identity thieves aren’t the only ones misusing CraigsList apartment ads. Scammers are posting vague listings with no specific addresses – but rock-bottom rents. Those who inquire are asked to provide a credit report before they can see the apartment, and are helpfully given a link to get a “free” one. It’s a link to a company that actually does offer a free report… after you’ve signed up for their expensive credit monitoring service.
The lesson? CraigsList is a great resource, but caveat emptor. When a deal sounds too good to be true – it probably is.
[Ed. Note: Unscrupulous businesses got you down? Why not Unscrew Your Life with ETR's monthly newsletter designed to help you overcome life's annoyances, scams, and more.]
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