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Replies (5)
- Darrell Self, "Darrell Self"
- Contributions:349
This sounds like a Craigslist ad not something found on Zillow. This is why you need to work with a Realtor to make sure you are receiving legitimate lease listings. Hope that helps.
- Loretta Buckner, "RealWorldProperties"
- Contributions:205
I had the same problem with a rental I had posted on Craig's List last year--the scammer even set up a yahoo email account in my name for renters to respond to.
Since Zillow pulls information from Craig's List and other public sites, I'm sure the spammers and phishers and everything else can get pulled in as well.
As always, the best advice for anything you find on the internet is: "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!"
Since Zillow pulls information from Craig's List and other public sites, I'm sure the spammers and phishers and everything else can get pulled in as well.
As always, the best advice for anything you find on the internet is: "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!"
- Russ Hatfield, "RussHatfield"
- Contributions:336
@NoPowerintheVerse
We're very glad to hear that you were aware enough not to fall victim to this sort of fraud. I'm not sure how it could be "completely obvious to Zillow staff" but it is certainly something we try to prevent -- obviously, it would serve none of us any good to build a site full of fraudulent listings.
If this listing was(is) indeed on Zillow please do forward a link or address to me, or post it here in this thread. We'll investigate on our end and take whatever actions we can, immediately.
Also, we do have a "sticky" post here in the Rentals section covering scams and fraud, as well as a Scams and Fraud FAQ.
@Loretta
Just to clarify, Zillow does not "pull information from Craigslist". We second your advice about "If it looks to good to be true...", too ; )
Thanks for using Zillow!
Russ
Zillow Customer and Community Support
We're very glad to hear that you were aware enough not to fall victim to this sort of fraud. I'm not sure how it could be "completely obvious to Zillow staff" but it is certainly something we try to prevent -- obviously, it would serve none of us any good to build a site full of fraudulent listings.
If this listing was(is) indeed on Zillow please do forward a link or address to me, or post it here in this thread. We'll investigate on our end and take whatever actions we can, immediately.
Also, we do have a "sticky" post here in the Rentals section covering scams and fraud, as well as a Scams and Fraud FAQ.
@Loretta
Just to clarify, Zillow does not "pull information from Craigslist". We second your advice about "If it looks to good to be true...", too ; )
Thanks for using Zillow!
Russ
Zillow Customer and Community Support
- sjwelu4
- Contributions:1
They almost got me!!
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4835-Westbend-Rd-Golden-Valley-MN-55422/1863965_zpid/
They said they relocated to London for work and would need me to Western Union the money to them in exchange for them overnighting the keys. When I googled the address the money was to be wired to...it was a business building in London.
I looked at tax records for the house, and the names are completely different.
Their emails sounded very similar to the one posted above. They needed someone they could trust to stay in their home and treat it as if it was their own. Etc.
I am extremely thankful I researched and had an "odd' feeling about the whole situation.
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4835-Westbend-Rd-Golden-Valley-MN-55422/1863965_zpid/
They said they relocated to London for work and would need me to Western Union the money to them in exchange for them overnighting the keys. When I googled the address the money was to be wired to...it was a business building in London.
I looked at tax records for the house, and the names are completely different.
Their emails sounded very similar to the one posted above. They needed someone they could trust to stay in their home and treat it as if it was their own. Etc.
I am extremely thankful I researched and had an "odd' feeling about the whole situation.
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1493
Hi, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I notified postets. I found the real listing ( I think) here:
http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com/rental-homes/3-Bedroom-Home-for-1600-in-Golden-Valley-MN-55422-at-4835-Westbend-Road-273619
This price is $1600/ mo.
Remember to always deal locally. There is no reason someone would bring their keys with them to another country if they wanted to rent out the place. If anyone of of the country DOES have a property to rent, they will hire someone who is local to the property to do this for them.
I'll take down the listing shortly.
http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com/rental-homes/3-Bedroom-Home-for-1600-in-Golden-Valley-MN-55422-at-4835-Westbend-Road-273619
This price is $1600/ mo.
Remember to always deal locally. There is no reason someone would bring their keys with them to another country if they wanted to rent out the place. If anyone of of the country DOES have a property to rent, they will hire someone who is local to the property to do this for them.
I'll take down the listing shortly.
I'm being scammed by a "zillow property manager". How can I get him caught?
"Hello, Thanks for the email. Yes the House is still available and will only be given out to the right person that will take very good care of the place and the facilities. I have really decided to give out the house as a result of my transfer to London (UK).
I will be giving out the house for $800 with a security deposit of $900.I need to inform you as well that money is not the major reason why I am renting it out but want someone who can take care of it as if he/she owns it. So let me know as soon as possible if you can take good care of it, so that we can discuss the rent further. Pets are allowed. Section 8 is accepted.
If you are interested you can go by and view it but you will not be able to go inside cause the keys are here with me in London ."
We instantly knew it was fishy, but went by and looked at the house regardless. We contacted the number listed on the For Rent sign and were informed that the house was actually $1200 a month and the zillow listing was a scam. Somebody is finding houses on other real estate websites, posting them on zillow for a lower price, and then scamming people into paying a "security deposit" in exchange for keys that never come. People have actually been paying this dude the $900 security deposit....
I'm still stringing him along in hopes of getting him caught - I have his fake identity, e-mail, and IP addresses saved. What else can I do? And how is this not completely obvious to zillow staff?
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