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- Debbie Malone, "DebbieMalone"
- Contributions:582
David, I just went through a situation with Craigslist-I posted a home for sale, Nigerian scammer took my info and posted as available for rent. I had 6 calls from interested parties who considered sending this guy the deposits he asked for. Everyone needs to be cautious!
- Shawn Rogers, "Mister Rogers Homes"
- Contributions:912
David,
Good Afternoon.
Thank you so much for posting helpful tips from time to time on Zillow.
Without "Self Promoting", I will say that anyone doing business on social media sites, should make sure they are careful before they give any
personal information. What I try to do is put as much of mine as possible, so any potential clients can view and review my profile, prior to sending any information about themselves. The internet has been a wonderful tool for us all, however, like and "tools" on must be careful before using them.
Thanks again.
Have a BEAUTIFUL day.
-Shawn
Good Afternoon.
Thank you so much for posting helpful tips from time to time on Zillow.
Without "Self Promoting", I will say that anyone doing business on social media sites, should make sure they are careful before they give any
personal information. What I try to do is put as much of mine as possible, so any potential clients can view and review my profile, prior to sending any information about themselves. The internet has been a wonderful tool for us all, however, like and "tools" on must be careful before using them.
Thanks again.
Have a BEAUTIFUL day.
-Shawn
- SIRCO1
- Contributions:5
Very helpful!
Thanks.
Thanks.
- Anu Dutta, "mailtorealtor"
- Contributions:3316
Usually the scammers writes a long email, most of the time without a tel#. If you suspect something is wrong, just reply asking for their contact# without providing them any further information.
- Robin Lynch, "robin398"
- Contributions:1935
Good post, Dave. I received a Zillow message yesterday from someone with a "business propostition".
- Rick Chumsae, "Rick Chumsae"
- Contributions:283
This new form of scam has become pandemic and it is not limited to craigslist but that site is a handy tool for the fraudsters. That aside, the opportunity to commit fraud over the internet is everpresent.
I'm commenting here because the problem clearly highlights the need for consumers to work through licensees and not through web based, unknown and untraceable sources.
We Realtors or other licensees may be dopes, jerks, miscreants, dupes, shmucks, fools, boneheads, and somminabitches, but we are licensed and that at least means we are not felons, and we are accountable, at least to the great state in which we are licensed.
Consumers need to internalize that websites having zero accountability (yes, Zillow is but one of many) and unnamed persons of unknown repute are not appropriate partners to use in real estate or any other transaction.
I believe that the scams that come to light are a mere microscopic tip of the iceberg, as most of those swindled have no channel to publicize their plight, and even if they did most would be too red faced to speak up.
I'm commenting here because the problem clearly highlights the need for consumers to work through licensees and not through web based, unknown and untraceable sources.
We Realtors or other licensees may be dopes, jerks, miscreants, dupes, shmucks, fools, boneheads, and somminabitches, but we are licensed and that at least means we are not felons, and we are accountable, at least to the great state in which we are licensed.
Consumers need to internalize that websites having zero accountability (yes, Zillow is but one of many) and unnamed persons of unknown repute are not appropriate partners to use in real estate or any other transaction.
I believe that the scams that come to light are a mere microscopic tip of the iceberg, as most of those swindled have no channel to publicize their plight, and even if they did most would be too red faced to speak up.
- smoke72
- Contributions:3
I am about to sign a lease in a few days at 2x's the amount that I I see on Zillows. Example its worth 186,000 and I see that the payment is $700+. But I am about to sign a lease for $1450, can anyone help please.
- truthfactnolie
- Contributions:1
Please look at other rental properties in the area and see what the landlords are charging for rent. Your rental agreement with the landlord is for whatever the landlord can get you to agree to pay. I think you should offer less and see what the landlord says. If the landlord really needs to rent the property he/she will adjust the rental amount. Do not fall for the "I have another tenant who is ready to move." A lot of times that is is not true.
In Dallas, Texas specifically on craigslist there have been many issues with scammers and fly by night agents. One peice of advice is always deal with a company that has a physical location in the area that you are trying to lease. Also, you can and should ask for the agents real estate license number so that you can verify with the states licensing agency. craigslist is a great venue to find super deal just be careful and vigilant.
- Boone Fowler PMP, "boonefowlerpmp"
- Contributions:466
This Property Manger Cares About His Clients.
Understanding the reality of scammers is a never ending danger in all things. Be certain that you are working with a State Lic. Agent, and one who is an expert at rentals.
Understanding the reality of scammers is a never ending danger in all things. Be certain that you are working with a State Lic. Agent, and one who is an expert at rentals.
- Anthony Rentals
- Contributions:21
Good Advice!
- Rachael Ferguson-Brown, "RachaelFergusonBrown"
- Contributions:1
Great topic! This is exactly why using a licensed Realtor is imperative. The Internet has expanded opportunities as well as made the marketplace more succeptible to predators.
- dumbone
- Contributions:1
Be careful of renting homes which are going into foreclosure. The landlord/owner keeps collecting the rent, then boom a foreclosure happens and he keeps all of the rental money and you have nothing. This happens quite often in California.
- Richard Perez or Paul Kent, "Richard or Paul"
- Contributions:674
Whether it is our lease/rental, regular, short pay, reo or probate/trust, as listing agents we regularly check on our properties at various times (day or night) to ensure that nobody is squatting on it. We notice our properties on craigslist & immediately got them taken down. If you keep on top of it, you will not be scammed.
- Anthony Rentals
- Contributions:21
Thanks for the info. Will do!
- Anthony Rentals
- Contributions:21
to Debbie malone, thanks for the info. I never thought of them doing that.
ask them to send the deposit money.
My advise to anyon is don't send any money without conversing with the actual person "in Person".
ask them to send the deposit money.
My advise to anyon is don't send any money without conversing with the actual person "in Person".
- objectofprayer
- Contributions:6
Is ZILLOW a protected site when giving credit card information to purchase a listing?
- Ice L.
- Contributions:11285
Hi objectofprayer -
Thank you for your question.
Zillow respects your privacy and recognizes the importance of protecting information collected from you through website. We take protecting this information seriously and use encryption technology when collecting and storing your credit card information. For more details, please check this page.
Thank you.
Thank you for your question.
Zillow respects your privacy and recognizes the importance of protecting information collected from you through website. We take protecting this information seriously and use encryption technology when collecting and storing your credit card information. For more details, please check this page.
Thank you.
- Simon Mills, "Mills Realty"
- Contributions:1858
Great post. I have a rental listing that was scammed on Craigslist for 50% of what the real price was. I've had other Realtors call with inquiries and actually spoke to a person who was about to send her deposit overseas, but contacted me as she was suspicious. It is amazing people fall for these scams, but they do everyday. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
- anthony32711
- Contributions:1
Thank you so much for posting helpful tips from time to time on Zillow.
- OCSRealty
- Contributions:1
I would say that the best way to avoid being scammed on a rental home is to use a Realtor who specializes in Rental homes.
I don't think there are any Realtors that still charge for finding tenants a home, since the landlords are the ones who pay the commission.
When you work with an agent, the earnest deposits are placed in a real estate escrow account and not released to the landlord until the exchange is complete.
It's not going to cost you anything, and you are protecting yourself. Use a Real Estate agent!
I don't think there are any Realtors that still charge for finding tenants a home, since the landlords are the ones who pay the commission.
When you work with an agent, the earnest deposits are placed in a real estate escrow account and not released to the landlord until the exchange is complete.
It's not going to cost you anything, and you are protecting yourself. Use a Real Estate agent!
- Damon Wofford, "Metro Jackson Pro"
- Contributions:240
I post on craigslist regularly for our homes for rent and have had two different people copy my pictures from the add as well as the description and put their own contact information and price. I would highly suggest that if you are posting on craigslist to check the section that you posted over the next couple of days after you post it to make sure someone is not scamming your ad. Also if you have a vacant house be sure to drive by and go inside at least a couple times of week.
- Alonzo Webb, "30 days sold"
- Contributions:76
The foreclosure market has created an opportunity for the less informed people in our society to be victimized. I was not even aware foreclosure scams had taken such a grip on our community until I read a blog on How To Recognize Foreclosure Scams posted at http://renterscams.blogspot.com/ and attended various community meetings. Anyone can be scammed. We just have to do our best as members in the Zillow community to discourage that behavior here.
- Angela Peterson, "angelapeterson"
- Contributions:16
What gets me is how people thait have never beenin the home would send money to anyone. Sometimes it can be a case of buyer beware. I knowi that most things on craigslist are scams, theft related or such.
- Wallace Gibson, "Cvillecpm"
- Contributions:108
Photos placed on the web should be WATERMARKED to protect against scamming.
www.watermark-image.com is FREE and VERY EASY to use
www.watermark-image.com is FREE and VERY EASY to use
- Anthony Rentals
- Contributions:21
I Have experienced this first hand as a landlord. I have a home advertised on Craigs List at 2522 Norman in Melvindale Michigan for $650 a month.
I got a call from a prospective tenant and she said, "is this the one for $550?". I confirmed the address and she had driven by (My sign is in the front) and called me off the sign. She said there was an ad for this home for $550 and when she called them they said they were in Africa on a missionary trip. I told her this was a scam and not to send them any money. Then I pulled up my ad by the address and saw another one for $750. Is there a way to report them to Craigs List or is this something that just will continue going on and no one does anything about it?
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
Did Zillow pass?
- Robin Lynch, "robin398"
- Contributions:1935
I have found that Owners.com gets a lot of scammers especially from "potential buyers" who want you to fly to the Mid-east and reward you handsomely.
Just food for thought.
Just food for thought.
- Robin Lynch, "robin398"
- Contributions:1935
Anthony,
You can email Craigslist and let them know that you have scammers. This has been in problem in affluent towns in Westchester County as well where Realtors have listings on the MLS for sale and a scammer has put the listing on Craigslist as for rent by owner and they are not the owner.
You can email Craigslist and let them know that you have scammers. This has been in problem in affluent towns in Westchester County as well where Realtors have listings on the MLS for sale and a scammer has put the listing on Craigslist as for rent by owner and they are not the owner.
- Jonathan Chi, "JonathanChi"
- Contributions:466
Check out the youtube video that I did last year regarding rental scams.
Rents should watch out for legitimate rental agencies.
Rents should watch out for legitimate rental agencies.
Don't Get Scammed!
Zillow is a media company. Put simply, we make money through advertising. Zillow does not handle money exchanges between buyers and sellers or tenants and landlords. Anyone telling you otherwise is probably trying to scam you.
Always be wary of giving personal information, financial information, or payments of any kind to people you don't know personally. To reduce your chances of exposure to fraudulent activity and to ensure the best possible Zillow experience, please read our FAQ on Scams and Other Internet Fraud:
http://www.zillow.com/wikipages/Beware-of-Scams-and-Other-Internet-Fraud/
Thank you!
Zillow Customer Service
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