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Answers (21)
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
Just a note. I think that the original poster was in Portland, OR and not LV though.
- Ashley McCormick, "LasVegasRealEstate."
- Contributions:10
I would recommend renting a property managed by a Property Management company.
This keeps everything business and removes the personality on the owner.
Sellers can attempt to make a little more monry by renting direct - but even for my investors I recommend they use property management for the same reasons - to remove the personality and keep everything strictly business.
Vegas has alot of rentals and I'm sure you can do better than this.
This keeps everything business and removes the personality on the owner.
Sellers can attempt to make a little more monry by renting direct - but even for my investors I recommend they use property management for the same reasons - to remove the personality and keep everything strictly business.
Vegas has alot of rentals and I'm sure you can do better than this.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
Curious Deb, that sounds terrible. I save emails too, but I feel like a piker at only about a 1000 lol. I am so glad that you were able to get your accounts switched out to protect them from the scammer.
You are right doing a credit freeze is free. It can make it harder to open new account, but that is a good thing if a scammer is eyeing your information.
You are right doing a credit freeze is free. It can make it harder to open new account, but that is a good thing if a scammer is eyeing your information.
- curious deb
- Contributions:32
Hi Munky25, I didn't see your question get answered whether you should be worried about the email address, if it did, hopefully you got good answers.
I recently had my email heisted and I was completely locked out of my account. My password was changed and even my answers to MY security questions were changed. I was advised to contact the credit bureau and let them know there is a possible breach of my personal information and they will notify all three credit bureaus and put a watch on your account. If they notice any changes being made out of the ordinary or requests to open accounts, change acct information ect. they will not allow it until they have contacted you first to be sure it is from you.
The person that heisted my account took all of my saved emails, unfortunately I had over three thousand (i know...stupid). I always used it as a proverbial filing cabinet for things I needed to pull up for future reference. Yahoo could not get all of my contacts back or all of my emails back but they were able to retrieve some. And the tip off was that they had sent everyone on my contact list an email from me saying I was attacked while on vacation in Italy or somewhere, and my purse, wallet, phone and all cash were gone.. AND that I could not get home unless someone wired me $ 2500... they even continued conversation with someone in my family that played dumb... I had to change my password at least 6 more times cause once yahoo got me on, they would lock me out again. I needed to keep the address until I could change everything that was using that address (billpay, bank, mortgage, and other personal accounts). A real pain... I hope you haven't had this happen but I would at least contact credit bureau, there's no cost and its good to be on the safe side... sorry for the long post...
I recently had my email heisted and I was completely locked out of my account. My password was changed and even my answers to MY security questions were changed. I was advised to contact the credit bureau and let them know there is a possible breach of my personal information and they will notify all three credit bureaus and put a watch on your account. If they notice any changes being made out of the ordinary or requests to open accounts, change acct information ect. they will not allow it until they have contacted you first to be sure it is from you.
The person that heisted my account took all of my saved emails, unfortunately I had over three thousand (i know...stupid). I always used it as a proverbial filing cabinet for things I needed to pull up for future reference. Yahoo could not get all of my contacts back or all of my emails back but they were able to retrieve some. And the tip off was that they had sent everyone on my contact list an email from me saying I was attacked while on vacation in Italy or somewhere, and my purse, wallet, phone and all cash were gone.. AND that I could not get home unless someone wired me $ 2500... they even continued conversation with someone in my family that played dumb... I had to change my password at least 6 more times cause once yahoo got me on, they would lock me out again. I needed to keep the address until I could change everything that was using that address (billpay, bank, mortgage, and other personal accounts). A real pain... I hope you haven't had this happen but I would at least contact credit bureau, there's no cost and its good to be on the safe side... sorry for the long post...
- Peter and Alex Clark, "Peter and Alex Clark"
- Contributions:4
SCAM. DO NOT INTERACT WITH THEM ANY MORE....
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26804
The scammers are after easy money. As you've proven to fail their criterion of "sucker" (thank goodness), it isn't likely to be a problem that they have your E-mail/phone number. They are probably more interested in finding the next easy money than being malicious.
- munky25
- Contributions:5
I have not heard from her again, as suspected. I would never have given any money before seeing the place! That being said, I did give her my phone number, name and email address. Should I be concerned that she has that info? She asked for my address and I did not supply it as I began to smell a rat!
- Mathew Velasquez, "Mathew Velasquez"
- Contributions:26
Sounds like a scam. One thing that has me confused is if they are following local, state and federal laws the deposit should not be counted as part of rent. Deposits are only given back if there is not damage done to the property. Most states require that the deposit be kept in escrow and cannot be used as rent.
I have always told my prospects and clients that if you can't see the home or the owner/manager cannot show you then its best to go the other direction.
I have always told my prospects and clients that if you can't see the home or the owner/manager cannot show you then its best to go the other direction.
- hypersloth
- Contributions:25
Most likely it is a scam however I have found that in several instances I'm dealing with an India person. Their terminology and wording is very methodical as English is not their first language.
My theory and it should be yours too, if you can't reach out and choke them when needed, then don't agree to anything that will cost you money. :) If you can't meet at the location, and they don't have someone representing them to let you in to see the place, then come on...obviously it's a scam. Make sure the agent has an office and not an apartment on the bad side of town that they work out of.
In short: Never pay for anything you can't at least one hand on when you hand the money over.
For internet sales on low cost items, it's still a safe bet to research the company you are purchasing from. When you've never heard of a company, their webpage seems amateur, their terms and conditions seem ambiguous, their location says "po box!", or there is no telephone number that works that you can call, then buyer beware bigtime.
While you may be able to receive your purchase, often these smaller websites are fronts for larger operations in the background that harvest personal information to steal identities later.
I usually find everything I need from major vendors. Sure it kinda limits the mom and pop shops but , it's my risk I have to be concerned about so I just don't risk it honestly to purchase items from the Internet without some safeguards.
My theory and it should be yours too, if you can't reach out and choke them when needed, then don't agree to anything that will cost you money. :) If you can't meet at the location, and they don't have someone representing them to let you in to see the place, then come on...obviously it's a scam. Make sure the agent has an office and not an apartment on the bad side of town that they work out of.
In short: Never pay for anything you can't at least one hand on when you hand the money over.
For internet sales on low cost items, it's still a safe bet to research the company you are purchasing from. When you've never heard of a company, their webpage seems amateur, their terms and conditions seem ambiguous, their location says "po box!", or there is no telephone number that works that you can call, then buyer beware bigtime.
While you may be able to receive your purchase, often these smaller websites are fronts for larger operations in the background that harvest personal information to steal identities later.
I usually find everything I need from major vendors. Sure it kinda limits the mom and pop shops but , it's my risk I have to be concerned about so I just don't risk it honestly to purchase items from the Internet without some safeguards.
- April Fenton, "AprilFenton"
- Contributions:11
That is clearly a scam. The first hint is the poor grammar and the use of US $1000. Most of these scams have the same format, they make up companies who handle these types of money transfers and they want you to send your money oversees. Many of these scam artists come from foreign countries. First they try to get you to send a small amount of money, then they try to get you to send larger amounts. There have been many real estate scams going on as well as ones stating that you have a relative who has died and left you a large sum of money and if you send money for legal fees you will receive your "inheritance". I advise all of my clients not to use craigs list when searching for rentals, use a legitimate real estate company.
- S. Chris Webb, "PHX AZ RE BROKER"
- Contributions:411
The scammers all seem to have the same format of email address, which is a really quick litmus test - notice they all have poor English but English names.
English/American sounding name.English/American sounding name/small number@yahoo.com
This particular scammer apparently thinks "office" is an American sounding name.
Here's some more tips on avoiding being scammed.
English/American sounding name.English/American sounding name/small number@yahoo.com
This particular scammer apparently thinks "office" is an American sounding name.
Here's some more tips on avoiding being scammed.
- Natasha Guthrie, "natashaguthrie32559034"
- Contributions:1243
HI there!
It is a scam! Do not do it!
It is a scam! Do not do it!
- munky25
- Contributions:5
Thanks for all the help and advice on this. I feel like an idiot for even responding the this add! Should I be concerned that this person has my name, email and phone number?
- Blair Jones, "BlairJones"
- Contributions:84
If it were me, I'd run.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7296
Sounds like a scam with roots in Nigeria. I'm basing that on the structure of the language, the layers of complexity, etc. The Nigerian scammers are very good @ creating an air of officialness.
Any apartment listing where the owner is overseas (especially London) is instantly suspect.
Any apartment listing where the owner is overseas (especially London) is instantly suspect.
- Reallyfedup
- Contributions:815
This may be useful as well Link
- Reallyfedup
- Contributions:815
There are numerous rental scams on the internet right now with basically the very same verbiage and with the person being in the United Kingdom.
I would bet this is one of those scams. Big red flag is that the transaction is being handled by email and keys will be shipped after payment is received. If they were using a legitimate leasing company, you would be dealing with a person face to face. Even then there are no guarantees that it is not a scam, but this one is especially shady.
Here's a similar thread. Link
I would bet this is one of those scams. Big red flag is that the transaction is being handled by email and keys will be shipped after payment is received. If they were using a legitimate leasing company, you would be dealing with a person face to face. Even then there are no guarantees that it is not a scam, but this one is especially shady.
Here's a similar thread. Link
- Dave Sutton, "Dave Sutton"
- Contributions:45
I agree with previous answers. Another tip-off is showing monetary amounts as "US $1000". If you're renting in the US market, you show that simply as $1000.
No legitimate landlord or rental agency I know will take advance monthly payments (beyond one month, or maybe first and last months), and certainly will not give four months occupancy for three months rent. That's further indication that the "landlord" is trying to up the amount of cash you cough up on the front end so when you don't get a key or even a look at the unit, they are gone with even more of your money.
There are lots of places for rent these days. Why take a chance with something that has red flags all over it? And congratulations for sniffing this one out before you lost $5-6,000.
No legitimate landlord or rental agency I know will take advance monthly payments (beyond one month, or maybe first and last months), and certainly will not give four months occupancy for three months rent. That's further indication that the "landlord" is trying to up the amount of cash you cough up on the front end so when you don't get a key or even a look at the unit, they are gone with even more of your money.
There are lots of places for rent these days. Why take a chance with something that has red flags all over it? And congratulations for sniffing this one out before you lost $5-6,000.
- munky25
- Contributions:5
Thanks Sunnyview-
Here is her email address, supposedly!
amanda.office111@yahoo.com
Here is her email address, supposedly!
amanda.office111@yahoo.com
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
How I love google translator scam emails "...according to the US federation of house owners..." The scammer must have sent the from a federation planet in the future. lol
It sounds like an international scam to me. I would turn it in to your local Department of Justice on their tip line at the bottom of this page here. Thank you SO much for posting the email. You might also consider posting this scammers email address as well.
Doing that helps people avoid scams as they often search for passages of emails or email addresses on Google and end up here to find more information. That has helped other avoid many scams in the past. My thumbs to you for your vigilance!
It sounds like an international scam to me. I would turn it in to your local Department of Justice on their tip line at the bottom of this page here. Thank you SO much for posting the email. You might also consider posting this scammers email address as well.
Doing that helps people avoid scams as they often search for passages of emails or email addresses on Google and end up here to find more information. That has helped other avoid many scams in the past. My thumbs to you for your vigilance!
- munky25
- Contributions:5
Here is the 2nd email:
Thank you for your reply.
Before going any further with anything I must remind you that for payments I will use the Yahoo Real Estate Company Inc. They will secure our transaction.
I will open a CASE ID# at Yahoo Real Estate Company for this transaction and I will give them your Full Name, Shipping Info, Phone# and indicate you as my tenant.
After that, they will issue the invoice for our transaction, and they will ask you to send them a refundable deposit in 24 hours, according to their terms and policies.
Regarding the Payment, you will be instructed to deposit the amount to a Yahoo Agent from United Kingdom. They will hold and insure your money
until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns,I will be glad to know that Yahoo Real Estate has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance.
After the requested amount will be confirmed and validated, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping of the keys, docs and necessary paperwork. The delivery will be completed in max 2-3 days after the amount requested will be verified and validated.
After you'll receive the keys and the contract, the 10 days inspection period will start ( you'll have 10 working days to see the apartment, read the contract,
decide if you keep the apartment or not).
In case you'll take it you'll have to send them a copy of the contract signed by you and they will release the money to me, if not you'll have to send them
the contract unsigned and they will refund your money, the contract and the keys will be shipped back on my expenses! I will pay the shipping and you'll have to pay the money transfer fee for the refundable deposit.
Once again... I want to make sure that you will understand this simple, easy, fast and secure process from the 1st time:
1. If you have the amount available and if you want to rent my apartment, please DON'T FORGET to send me your Full Name, Shipping Address and Phone#
2. I will open a CASE ID# with Yahoo Real Estate Company for our transaction , and I will give them your Info, and indicate you as my tenant.
3. After that, the Invoice will be issued for our transaction.
4. After the amount requested will be deposited, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping.
Thank you for your reply.
Before going any further with anything I must remind you that for payments I will use the Yahoo Real Estate Company Inc. They will secure our transaction.
I will open a CASE ID# at Yahoo Real Estate Company for this transaction and I will give them your Full Name, Shipping Info, Phone# and indicate you as my tenant.
After that, they will issue the invoice for our transaction, and they will ask you to send them a refundable deposit in 24 hours, according to their terms and policies.
Regarding the Payment, you will be instructed to deposit the amount to a Yahoo Agent from United Kingdom. They will hold and insure your money
until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns,I will be glad to know that Yahoo Real Estate has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance.
After the requested amount will be confirmed and validated, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping of the keys, docs and necessary paperwork. The delivery will be completed in max 2-3 days after the amount requested will be verified and validated.
After you'll receive the keys and the contract, the 10 days inspection period will start ( you'll have 10 working days to see the apartment, read the contract,
decide if you keep the apartment or not).
In case you'll take it you'll have to send them a copy of the contract signed by you and they will release the money to me, if not you'll have to send them
the contract unsigned and they will refund your money, the contract and the keys will be shipped back on my expenses! I will pay the shipping and you'll have to pay the money transfer fee for the refundable deposit.
Once again... I want to make sure that you will understand this simple, easy, fast and secure process from the 1st time:
1. If you have the amount available and if you want to rent my apartment, please DON'T FORGET to send me your Full Name, Shipping Address and Phone#
2. I will open a CASE ID# with Yahoo Real Estate Company for our transaction , and I will give them your Info, and indicate you as my tenant.
3. After that, the Invoice will be issued for our transaction.
4. After the amount requested will be deposited, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping.
Does this sound legitimate?
My name is Amanda Dawson, and I am the owner of the apartment that you are interested in. I will not be able to use the apartment for at least one year and I have decided that it is better to rent it for an extra income. I decided to rent it out for 1 year with possible extension. The rent for the apartment is US $1000. First month's advance, US $1000 deposit. If you can and if you want to pay for 3 months in advance it will be considered as 4 month's rent. We will use a standard tenancy contract, according to the US federation of house owners and also according to the United States legislation.
Because I am unable to show you the apartment in person I decided that it's better for both of us to use a multinational renting service, provided by Yahoo Real Estate. They have a big experience in such transactions closed over the Internet and their services are the most recommended for such transactions. We will use a standard tenancy contract, according to the US federation of house owners and also according to the US.
If you're still interested please reply with a few details about you, your job and references if possible. In the next email I will give you more information about the Yahoo Real Estate detailed process.
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