Aholes. You have to be ever vigilant.

My guess would be a referral " scam". I've had some similar calls where the caller was trying to id properties that were coming up for sale, then he would call several agents and tell them that he knows owners x on y street are planning on selling, then asks for a referral agreement in exchange for the address and phone # of the owners.

I dont think that scammers go through that much work, but I do suspect that it would be wise of the scammers to target the vacant homes for those rental scams.

However the one home that a scammer tried to rent out of mine was one with furnished rooms in the photos.

Not necessarily Fred Griffin 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I hate Craigs list.... 

Not necessarily. I haven't experience a Craigslist scam in years, but when I did it was always of occupied houses, in any event.

Don't know but I never have any problems. I think they can tell noobs & fsbo's on the site. It could actually be someone that is looking in expireds for a new listing but then why not give real name?

Odd, that's for sure.

That could very well be, Fred! Another reason to stage as many vacant homes as possible!

The last ones of mine that were scammed were from zillow.  They didn't even bother to crop my branded photos or take my contact info out!  Lazy, which worked to my advantage.  :)

Only happened to me once.. and the place was fully furnished.

It certainly does sound suspicious. What the person is up to remains to be seen. I no longer post anything on Craig's List - certainly not anything real estate related. 

My experience is that craigslist scammers don't seem to give a hoot but photos of vacant property is an open invitation to copper thieves.

I don't necessarily think would be bait.. I have never encountered that experience with any vacant, or occupied home... and hopefully I won't have that experience.

It will only get fixed when an innocent citizen is harmed by the hazards created by agents, brokers. franchises, associations and NAR and they are sued for every dollar these transgressors can reach in a lifetime.

But instead, we will add a disclaimer and hold harmless addendum to shield  practitioners from the hazards inherent in the current syndication practice and  not enforcing removal of images from professional websites.

I don't know who is more at fault, the scammer taking advantage of the nauive or the professional with their head in the sand.

If information is obtainable, people will try to use it to make money in various ways, some illegal and underhanded!

Interesting question and answers. 

We are going to have a closing for one of the vacant home. But for MLS pictures were taken with the furniture and it is safe area. 

You could have a good point there

That is a great thought, and have had vacant home photos.   Will need to think of that next time I have a vacant home.

No.

Lots of investors are scraping for new targets too. Inventory is tight in many parts of the Country

Possibly.

You are probably correct.  No matter how careful one is there will be lowlifes trying to take advantage of the system.

Fred Griffin It seems any listing on Craigslist is scam bait.

Candice A. Donofrio  nailed this one!

Craigslist has always been a hotbed for scammers. One that I've seen with vacant homes (and occupied ones) is where they put the house for RENT on CL at a ridiculously low price that will make the phone ring off the hook. Then they tell the people they are away and cant show them the inside. They say go by & walk the property & if you like it send them the deposit. That'll be the last you hear from them. Be careful folks~

Well, it is your assumption. But i'm sure a lot of agents reach out to expires to get business. 

Fred Griffin we have to make sure seller is happy, Isn't it?

I'm not a lover of Craig's List..never put my listings or if I did rentals on it.

Just having a Listing in CraigsList is enough for the scammers to steal our info and pictures and make a ridiculous offer to innocent renters!

I have seen scams both ways

You never know what someone on the other side of that call has as a real motivation. 

I think that is much more effort than most scammers use. I think there is another motive.

All things are scam-able...prudent to keep eyes open in today's world 

Well I don't stage empty houses so I'm just vigulant about postings in my listings about them NOT being for rent and have a chat with my sellers to be careful of calls.

Possibly!

I think so. I remove most images after it is sold.

Yes, I do think an empty house photograph tweaks the attention of criminals. It is not only Craigs'  list but many sites. The first rule is if the price is cheap, this should ring a bell. Next, if contact person says they are out of town, or if they say they can't disturb tenant. If they ask for any amount of money before you see the property run

I have seen investment houses I have under contract that are new being offered for lease on Craiglist. Typicall someone who says they own it and are Missionaries in Africa. My best specific guess, Nigeria.