Warning - Internet Fraud!

Unfortunately, one of our listings has just been used as “bait” for an internet theft scam.  I have filed all possible abuse reports and the fraudulent posting has been removed.  But, here’s how the scam works…

o    A warm and friendly Craigslist ad posts a house for lease, usually at an attractive, below-market price.

o    The ad states “cats are OK – purrr; dogs are OK – wooof”.

o    The property is actually a legitimate listing – but for sale, not for lease.

o    A “Rental Application” asks for personal and financial information.

o    You are asked send a deposit, after which the keys will be mailed to you, because the owner “has been transferred overseas”.

Unfortunately, the destination for your check and/or financial information is a fraudster somewhere overseas.  ‘Nuf said.

This nationwide scheme has been plaguing Craigslist since 2008.  One bogus ad has even been reported in Paris, France.

According to the 2009 survey by the National Association of Realtors, ninety percent of home buyers start by shopping on the internet.  Fraudsters are targeting these people, exploiting them during a vulnerable time in their lives.  The open nature of the internet is, unfortunately, both a blessing and a well-known curse.

Just remember -- not all real estate sites are equally safe.  Trustworthy sites include legitimate real estate firms (like mine!), HAR.com, and Realtor.com.  The organizations are governed by state laws and held to a stringent code of ethics.  You can safely rely on lease and sale information from these sites. 

Please surf prudently!

Roger Martin

Roger Martin Properties

www.rogermartin.com