Special offer
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
4,571,456
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Craigslist scams were much more evident as a novelty years back.  It has become more commonly known that CL is very much of a source for scams especially in the rental sector. I have received calls but nothing serious resulted. 

Apr 26, 2019 08:30 PM
Rainmaker
4,881,462
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

These days there are 2 types of agents

1 those that have been scamed

2 those that are going to be scamed.

Apr 27, 2019 04:37 AM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes, fortunately they double checked, his mother looked me up in the tax records, gave me a call and I rented them another house where they stayed for 3 years.

Apr 26, 2019 08:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,588
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

There is a neverending bag of scammers out there. I would also call my local PD and let them know the scammer is at the listing

Apr 27, 2019 07:30 AM
Ambassador
2,435,649
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have received calls on my listings, but not lately. Nothing happened - I just let the person know what the truth was, and then checked on CL where the ad was already gone. 

 

Apr 27, 2019 02:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

During our oil boom it was very common and always on Craig's list Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS but luckily it was always the potential renter checking before they sent money to Nigeria. Yes we always contacted the police and yes Craig's list never gave a rats ass about it.

Apr 27, 2019 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Fortunately not. Years ago I'd occasionally get a call from a renter who was checking if my listing was really for rent given what a low price it was advertised at.

Apr 27, 2019 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
757,885
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

This craigslist scam was happening years ago here. The scammer would duplicate your listing and then offer it for rent for a ridiculously low price.

Apr 26, 2019 09:24 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I have not.

Apr 27, 2019 08:18 AM
Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

It never happened to me but I've heard that it's quite prevalent on CL.  It seems CL has become one of the online scam capitals.  Too bad. 

Apr 27, 2019 05:26 AM
Rainmaker
5,215,388
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Luckily never happened to me!

Apr 27, 2019 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
628,614
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Years ago I did. I stopped posting to CL , I told the caller to report the phone number to the police and I found the fake post and reported it.

Apr 27, 2019 04:50 AM
Ambassador
2,160,948
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Something similar happened to me a few years ago, prospective tenant called me from the property after seeing my sign. I reported it as fraudulent, it was removed from CL. Since then, I place a note in a window (inside) of vacant listings stating that the property is not for lease and to contact me with any questions. 

Apr 27, 2019 04:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Happens regularly. Some seem like a Nigerian scam. 

Apr 27, 2019 03:35 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

No sir, but the day has just started.

Apr 27, 2019 02:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes.  I've have several people drive by and call my sign, saying they saw it on craigslist.  CL is good about removing the fake ads when reported.  It's never escalated to the level of money being involved, that I'm aware of.

Apr 26, 2019 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

Yes. A couple three times but not recently. The first time it caught me off guard. I called the owner asking if they were trying to rent the place out. When they said "no" I realized it was a scam and called the tenants back and let them know it was a scam and not give anyone any money for renting this home. The next couple of times (on different listings) I simply told the caller that the home was not for rent and the post they saw on CL was a rental scam. I did not take the next step as you did. I didn't call or contact CL.

Apr 27, 2019 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is non stop. I always post on all my vacant listings from the inside, that the property is not for rent. The worst was a call from the police, 3 people were all trying to move into a vacant home fighting over who rented it. Who really thinks they will only pay 600 month for a newer 2000 sf home? They all got removed from the property

Apr 27, 2019 05:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

worthless to contact CL for anything. It's like calling the Mafia or the guy who hangs out in the alley.

Had odd things from CL but not that. Scam is on again for spring I guess.

Apr 27, 2019 05:29 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

Yes, and the caller said her dad paid the person (landlord) in cash by leaving an envelope under that mat.  The caller asked me for the name of my seller, which I refused to give.  I notified my seller and we agreed that if we received a call from the authority we would be happy to cooperate.

Apr 27, 2019 01:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

If it is far fetched out, you don't advertise there anymore. Sure, sure.... scammer.

That was 10 years ago.

Apr 27, 2019 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,939
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Not that I recall.

Apr 27, 2019 07:21 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I've had them pull  up in the driveway with all their belongings in the rental truck.

ALL of my vacant listings are posted with a notice advising "If you are not talking directly to Annette Lawrence at this phone number 727. 420. 4041 REMAX, you are likely to become a victim of FRAUD." Posted at every entry.

Be also aware that CRAIGSLIST post dozens of warning to users of the users responsibility to avoid fraud. Unfortunately, desperate people seem to be easy targets in every scam imaginable.

Apr 28, 2019 05:27 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Not on my listings, however, I know it happens. 

Apr 27, 2019 11:58 AM
Ambassador
3,587,835
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes Paul we did have it happen which is why we don't advertise there at all. It was a home for sell and somebody down in FL took it over and tried to rent it out for practically nothing for this area - because he said he just wanted somebody to take care of it since he wasn't in town. I happened to have one of the people who drove by the home, saw my sign and told me. SCAM!  We reported the guy but CL never did anything about it.

Apr 27, 2019 11:26 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I have had people looking to rent call me after seeing my sign/number on the property. They wanted to know if it was really for rent.  Similar situation, look at the property and call back once they have the first/last/security. Fortunately, they called me before parting with their funds. I also called the police and craigslist. Police did nothing, craigslist removed the ad quickly.

Apr 27, 2019 11:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

that's horrifying....and NO, that's never happened to me or anyone I know in real estate....

Apr 27, 2019 07:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

No, Scam and spam heaven. ?A

Apr 27, 2019 07:41 AM
Ambassador
5,228,997
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Many times but, thankfully not recently. At one point, the NC Attorney General's number was on my speed-dial! 

May 02, 2019 07:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Not as much as last year.  knock on wood. do not want them.

 

Apr 30, 2019 01:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,310,972
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I have had this scam attempted on our listings in the past. A lady drove by the house after engaging the Craigslist scumbag and then called me to inquire if the house was for rent. She saved herself a lot of pain by being skeptical.

If it is on Craigslist and it is too good to be true, it is a scam.

Apr 29, 2019 06:29 PM
Rainer
417,071
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

I have a deal pending with a squatter who claims she found it on Craigslist. can't tell if she broke in or someone who ran the ad

Apr 29, 2019 01:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,751,029
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

I had one Friday. Same scenerio. They didn't deliver any money, but they were about to. 

Apr 29, 2019 12:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Yes, we have and as a result, we do not place our listings in CL. Open House ads? Yes.

Apr 29, 2019 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

It happened to a friend of mine but unfortunately they had sent the scammer the money up front then showed up to get in the house.  Police were involved.

Apr 29, 2019 06:07 AM
Rainer
344,288
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Paul, Cl is a source of real estate rental scams.  In a similar case a few years ago here, the scammer claimed to be a missionary overseas advising applicant to send the deposit in return for the key.

Apr 28, 2019 06:48 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

HA, better than that, had potential renters show up at my daughter's door.  But reported the fraudulent listing and it was taken down immediately.

Apr 28, 2019 02:11 PM
Rainer
117,135
Christine Kankowski North SD and Temecula
House Match Inc - Poway, CA
Excellent Sales and Property Management

Yes several times.  twice, the renter had already wired the money to the random text guy from craigslist.  I"md trying to the trh realtor board to help push Criasglist to stop the fraudulent postings.  They wont even remove the postings once we show it is our listing. (Marking the prohibithed button, just removed it from that one computer)  So horrlble, but craigslist is making it worse by not helping out.      In our cases, they were using actual rental listings, and telling applicants they had fired us. 

Apr 28, 2019 11:12 AM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

This has happened a number of times with our brokerage listings. We do as you did - suggest they call the police and we contact Craigslist.

Apr 28, 2019 10:27 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

That was common around here 5+ years ago, but never happened to me. I remember on case in reston where 2 people showed up at a rental at same time, and they both were thinking they were going to move in. They figured out they were scammed while talking to each other.

Apr 28, 2019 03:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Yep, that similar scenario is a common scam and I've dealt with it many times in the short sale years...it's an old scam and have not seen anyone fall for it in about 8 years-last I dealt with it.

Apr 27, 2019 06:48 PM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Haven't had any calls but have had at least 2 for-sale listings where someone created a fradulent ad, using my photos, wording, and an amazing rent!!

Apr 27, 2019 04:05 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

No, never.

Sep 21, 2019 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Scams people are very creative 

Jun 04, 2019 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
901,187
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Yes. Thankfully money had not been exchanged. I emailed Craig at craigslist and it was taken down.

May 16, 2019 04:10 AM