Scam alert! A scammer is posting apartments for rent nationwide on Craigslist, backpage.com, postlets.com and other online classifieds sites. The scammer goes by different names — Sharon Anderson, Brenda Halls, Donna Maehlmann, Darla Maehlmann, Samantha Marsh, etc.
Here is some text from different emails I've seen - the "owner" gives way too much information and tries to draw you in so you sympathize with "her":
Hi and thank you for your message about my apartment. My name is Sharon Anderson, I am 58 years, and I am the owner.
- OR -
Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Brenda, I'm 55 years old, I'm a retired engineer and I'm the owner of this condo.
- OR -
Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Samantha, I'm 52 years old, I'm a retired teacher and I'm the owner of this condo. I lived in this beautiful condo for over 5 years and loved every day of it.
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The scammer says they are out of the country or in another state and explains that they are spending time with grandchildren or taking care of somebody, or they just want to spend the rest of their quiet days somewhere. Since the scammer is not around "she" says that RE/MAX has a Tenant Protection Service or some other program (like REMAX.com Payment Services, REMAX Tenant Deposit Protection) that will insure the transaction. The scammer wants you to send a deposit for the apartment via Western Union or Money Gram to a person - they might use the name of an actual RE/MAX agent - and sometimes the recipient is in the UK.
The scammer writes: "Before going any further with anything I must remind you that for payments I will use the Remax Company, Inc. They will secure our transaction. I will open a CASE ID# at Remax Company for this transaction and I will give them your Full Name, Shipping Info, Phone# and indicate you as my tenant." The scammer even sends emails that look like they're from REMAX or remax.com and they use the RE/MAX logo. Sometimes, they use the Western Union logo, too. The scammer makes you believe it's legit - they give you a transaction number and everything.
I checked with RE/MAX. There is NO "Tenant Protection Service" and this is a total scam. DO NOT SEND MONEY!
The offer is too good too be true. The pictures may look super nice and the rent may be very, very cheap, but do not fall for this scam! Don't get sucked in feeling bad for the "lady" and don't think you got lucky and are going to get a great deal. If you send money, you will receive nothing in return — no keys, no lease, and you will not get your money back. Just heed all the warnings out there on Craigslist and Western Union - deal locally and don't send money to someone you don't know.
Have you dealt with this scam? Post your report to help protect other consumers. Be careful out there!
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