Home For Rent Craigslist Scam/Craigslist Has Lots Of Scams There

Hello everyone, thanks for stopping by recently to visit the blog. I've been very busy lately between starting a new job, training for the position, and looking for an apartment to rent while staying back in my hometown.

Craigslist sometimes may be a good resource to find rental property however I still don't think it's a great resource for a normal regular consume in my view.

Great for a scammer overall but not so great for a person who is trying to find much of anything online.

Case in point. When I couldn't find an apartment quite that I liked and reading so many junk emails asking me to sign up for credit repair services, online dating so I'd not be lonely in my new property, and so much more, I decided I'd get smart and post an ad of the ideal apartment I was looking for.

I received some replies and actually went to visit some locations and see the property available for rent. Some were nice others were not so nice or in far too bad of shape to consider renting.

Then, magically, or scamfully, I received a reply like what I copied below:

"Hello Dear,

Calvary greetings to you, also to your house hold..I got the AD you
posted on craigslist... I am looking for responsible tenants that
he/she is going to take care of the house as if it were your own and
he/she will be willing to make the Property clean as we left it.
Actually I resided in the house with my family, such as my wife and my
only daugther before and presently we had packed due to my transfer
from my working place and now situated in the (United Kingdom) and
won't be coming to the House until Four years now and that means we
are renting the Property for long term and short term lease is also
acceptable. and presently my house is still available for rent for
$1000 which the deposit is $800 dollars including the utilities like
Heat, A/C in wall/window, Hydro, cable, Garbage Disposal, Fireplace ,
Fridge, stove, Dishwasher, Dryer, Breakfast Bar, Dining Table and Sofa
Set,Refrigerator,Canopied deck overlooking nature.,internet access
e..t.c .,it is furnished or if u wish to move in with your furnitures
no problem..Moreso Now, i went for a Crusade in United Kingdom.

I will solicit for your absolute mentenance of this house and want you
to treat it as your own, it is not the money the main problem but want
you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it
neat when i come for a check up.i do that once in a while....I also
want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word.

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTRESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENTAL
APPLICATION FORM BELOW FOR RECORD PURPOSE

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Full Name__________________________________________________ Home Phone
( ) ________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone ( ) ___________________
Current Address_______________________________Apt#________
City__________________ State______ Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________Phone (
) ____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
How many people will be living
in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Occupation____________________________
Move In Date____________________________
HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT SENT TO ME___________________________
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE
HOUSE___________________________

You will only be able to drive by the house for now but not have a
look at the interior until i have sent the keys and documents of the
house to you..and the requirement for getting the keys and documents
of the house is a fully refundable payment of $800 USD,which is the
security deposit. Please note that the deposit made is fully
refundable should in case you finally gain entrance into the house
after receiving the keys and documents and feel unsatisfied or
uncomfortable with the interior,but i am giving you a benefit of doubt
that you will love everything about this lovely home..

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR RENT ONLY STARTS COUNTING AFTER YOU HAVE FINALLY
MOVED INTO THE HOUSE, SO YOU NEED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING THE
DEPOSIT PAYMENT NOW AND NOT MOVING IN IMMEDIATELY,ALL YOU'RE DOING IS
SECURING THE HOUSE IN YOUR FAVOUR IN ORDER NOT TO LOOSE IT TO OTHER
INTERESTED APPLICANTS..

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can
have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and
contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how
to get the document and the key to you.

Regards
Jack Williams"

I promise I won't go into a long blatherly entry about why this one sounds truly like a scam but it is. It just doesn't read like a reply from someone who is even in the United States offering me rental property.

It's just like those Nigerian scams out there offering people lots of money if they put up their own money in good faith for a share of some royalty disbursement. Luckily, I haven't had those otherwise I'd probably go ahead and post those entries here as well.

Don't give up on the apartment search and by all means be careful when you get replies such as the one above. For giggles, I might reply and tell the guy his price range is a little high and see if he has other rental units for less money per month where I pay for my own utilities.

I'll post more soon including the Career Networks issue that still creeps into my cell phone and email box even now.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend everyone!!